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Updated: May 12, 2026
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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
Postinfantile giant cell hepatitis: an etiological and prognostic perspective
Chhagan Bihari1, Archana Rastogi, Shiv Kumar Sarin
1Department of Pathology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), D-1 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India.
Hepatitis Research and Treatment
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Giant cell hepatitis is rare in adults, often diagnosed histologically. Autoimmune diseases are the most common cause, influencing patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Histopathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) is a frequent pediatric liver disease but rare in adults, with approximately 100 reported cases in the last two decades.
- Postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH) presents a diagnostic challenge due to its uncommon occurrence in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the etiology, pathogenesis, and outcomes of adult giant cell hepatitis, specifically postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH).
- To present a case of PIGCH and discuss its histopathological spectrum and causative factors.
Main Methods:
- A structured PubMed/MEDLINE search (1963-2012) using keywords: postinfantile giant cell hepatitis, adult giant cell hepatitis, syncytial giant cell hepatitis in adults and liver.
- Review of literature focusing on etiology, pathogenesis, histopathology, and outcomes.
- Inclusion of a case report of PIGCH.
Main Results:
- PIGCH is a histomorphological diagnosis, not indicative of etiology.
- Autoimmune liver diseases are the most common etiology (approx. 40%), followed by viruses, drugs, and post-transplant conditions.
- Prognosis is dependent on the underlying etiology.
Conclusions:
- PIGCH in adults is likely an idiosyncratic or cytopathic response to various hepatocytic stimuli.
- Understanding the diverse causative factors is crucial for determining patient prognosis.
- Further research into pathogenesis and histopathological features is warranted.
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