[Autoimmune hepatitis--new aspects of histopathology, ultrastructure and immunohistology]

Auto-immune hepatitis is accompanied by histological and immunohistological peculiarities which have been more thoroughly elucidated in recent time. Predominantly located in portal fields are lymphocytic infiltrations reaching continuously into peripheral lobules. Dendritic reticular cells were recordable from portal fields by electron microscopy. The hepatocytes recorded from peripheral lobules were hydropically swollen and formed microacini. Autoantibodies against components of the hepatocytic membrane seemed to be of relevance to pathogenesis and were recorded from animal experiments. Immunohistologically, the hepatocytic membrane exhibited HLA antigens and IgG. CD 8-positive lymphocytes were detected and were found to be in close contact with liver cells.