[Liver morphology in delta virus hepatitis].

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is a significant cause of severe liver disease.
• Coinfection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is required for HDV replication.
• The role of HDV in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and significance of Hepatitis D antigen in liver biopsies from patients with chronic liver disease.
• To correlate Hepatitis D antigen detection with specific liver histopathological findings and disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of liver biopsy samples from two groups of patients with liver diseases.
• Detection of Hepatitis D antigen in liver tissue using immunohistochemistry.
• Histopathological evaluation of liver biopsies, including assessment of chronic aggressive hepatitis (CAH) and active liver cirrhosis (ALC).

Main Results:

• Hepatitis D antigen was detected in 6 out of 12 patients with high anti-delta antibodies and in 10 out of 30 patients with CAH and ALC.
• Hepatocyte degeneration and lobular infiltration were characteristic of Hepatitis D antigen-positive cases.
• The presence of Hepatitis D antigen consistently correlated with an active inflammatory process in the liver.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis D antigen detection in liver biopsies is associated with severe liver disease, including CAH and ALC.
• Hepatitis D antigen presence indicates active liver inflammation and characteristic histopathological changes.
• These findings underscore the pathogenic role of HDV in advanced liver disease.