[Immunohistochemical studies on the association between hepatitis B surface antigen and primary hepatocellular...

In many geographical areas especially in African and South-east-Asian countries hepatitis B virus infection is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. 107 autopsy- and 15 biopsy-specimens were studied by means of immunohistochemistry [peroxidase-antiperoxidase-(PAP-)method] to demonstrate the association between primary hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg was found in 8 of 107 tumour specimens (7.4%) and liver cirrhosis in 102 of the 107 autopsy specimens with hepatocellular carcinoma (95%). 10 of the 15 biopsy-specimens showed neoplastic and non-neoplastic liver tissue, and in 2 of these 10 cases HBsAg was found. Liver cirrhosis could be seen in 9 of those 10 specimens. HBsAg was also studied in 90 cases with liver cirrhosis and was found to be positive in 2 of them (2,2%). HBsAg associated with primary hepatocellular carcinoma was only found in non-neoplastic liver cells of cirrhotic livers. Our studies indicate that in our geographical area the association of HBsAg with primary hepatocellular carcinoma is much less conspicuous than in Asian, African and even Southern European communities.