Semiquantitative and morphometric investigations on the histopathology of chronic hepatitis non-A, non-B

Ninety-five cases (202 liver biopsies) with chronic hepatitis Non-A, Non-B (NANB) were investigated histologically. The alterations were analysed semiquantitatively. The histological indices (e. g. volume of the portal tracts, number of acidophilic bodies) of various case groups of chronic hepatitis NANB were determined morphometrically and the results were checked for internal statistical significance and for correlations with comparison groups of chronic hepatitis B. The large number of acidophilic bodies and sinusoidal cells are the sole characteristic histological sign of hepatitis NANB which enable its differential diagnosis, especially from hepatitis B. The chronic post-transfusion hepatitis NANB has a relatively good prognosis and in 80% of the cases shows the course of a chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH). In sporadic hepatitis NANB a chronic aggressive hepatitis (CAH) is present in 60%. The frequency of cirrhosis based on an already chronic stage is 12.6%. An indication for immunosuppressive therapy of sporadic chronic aggressive hepatitis NANB can only be established individually after a sufficiently long observation of the biochemical and histological alterations.