Pathomorphological study of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis

A morphological investigation was carried out to study the pathological features of liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The materials consisted of liver specimens taken from 47 cases of anti-HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis (37 by surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma and 10 by autopsy), and from 21 cases of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver cirrhosis as the control. Liver specimens containing more than 10 regenerative nodules were examined. In addition, a histometric study was conducted to determine the degree of fibrosis and the size of regenerative nodule using a computer image-analysis system. The results showed that the histological characteristics of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis are: (i) broadly expanded fibrous septa and small regenerative nodules; (ii) relatively strong inflammatory reaction and prominent lymphoid aggretation in the fibrous septum; and (iii) mild regenerative activity of the liver parenchyma, and infrequent liver cell dysplasia. These findings may facilitate better understanding of the pathology of HCV antibody-positive liver cirrhosis and more accurate pathological diagnosis by needle biopsy.