Ultrastructural and stereological study of the liver in chronic mixed HCV+HBV infection

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is a significant global health concern.
• Understanding the impact of coinfection on liver cell structure is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• The clinical presentation of HBV in coinfection can vary, including seropositive and latent forms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the stereological values of hepatocyte cytoplasmic organelles in chronic mixed HCV+HBV infection.
• To compare organelle density across different forms of HBV coinfection (seropositive vs. latent).
• To evaluate diagnostic strategies for mixed HCV+HBV infection, considering the prevalence of specific HBV forms.

Main Methods:

• Stereological analysis of liver biopsy specimens to determine the structural density of hepatocyte cytoplasmic organelles.
• Detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), and HBV DNA using PCR and histological examination.
• Classification of HBV infection into seropositive and latent forms.

Main Results:

• Stereological values of hepatocyte cytoplasmic organelle structural density were similar in chronic mixed HCV+HBV infection, regardless of HBV form.
• HBsAg- and HBeAg-negative forms of HBV infection were frequently observed.
• Detection of HBcAg and HBV DNA in liver biopsy specimens proved essential for diagnosing these cases.

Conclusions:

• Hepatocyte organelle structure is uniformly affected in chronic HCV+HBV coinfection.
• The high incidence of HBsAg- and HBeAg-negative HBV forms necessitates advanced diagnostic methods.
• PCR and liver biopsy with HBcAg and HBV DNA detection are critical for accurate diagnosis of mixed HCV+HBV infection.