[Anatomo-histopathological and immunological correlations in chronic hepatitis]

An immunohistological survey was made of cryostat liver sections from 30 patients: 17 adults and 13 children affected by chronic hepatitis were studied. Immunofluorescent techniques were used to determine the following: HBsAg, HBcAg, HDV, IgG, serum antibodies, B lymphocytes and CD4+, CD8+ and activated T lymphocytes. The tissue antibody response and the inflammatory infiltrate was more evident in CAH than in CPH. The prevalent cell subpopulation in HBV hepatitis is represented by CD8+ while in non-A non-B and autoimmune forms by CD4+. Furthermore, in histologically more serious forms 75% of the T cells were activated with respect to 25% in non active forms. The difference was statistically significant.