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Hepatic histology in chronic liver disease in hepatitis B surface antigen positive cases
A K Ghosh1, A Dasgupta, K Raha
1Department of Pathology, IPGME&R, Calcutta.
Insights
This study analyzed liver biopsies from 43 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients. Chronic active hepatitis and inactive cirrhosis were the most common findings, with micronodular cirrhosis being prevalent.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Chronic liver disease affects numerous individuals worldwide.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease.
- Histopathological analysis of liver biopsies is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the spectrum of histological changes in liver biopsies of patients with chronic liver disease.
- To correlate histopathological findings with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status.
- To identify the most common histological patterns in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of liver tissue needle biopsies from 43 HBsAg-positive patients.
- Histopathological examination to determine the pattern of liver disease.
- Shikata orcein staining to detect HBsAg in hepatocytes.
Main Results:
- The most common diagnoses were chronic active hepatitis (41.8%) and inactive cirrhosis (37.2%).
- Micronodular cirrhosis was the predominant histological pattern observed.
- Inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were more severe in chronic active hepatitis cases without a history of jaundice.
- Hepatocyte HBsAg detection by Shikata orcein stain was positive in only 18.6% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Histopathological examination reveals diverse changes in HBsAg-positive chronic liver disease.
- Chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis are frequent outcomes, with micronodular cirrhosis being common.
- HBsAg detection in hepatocytes via staining may not reflect the overall viral presence or disease activity.
Abstract:
The spectrum of histological changes in needle biopsies of the liver tissue was analysed in 43 patients with chronic liver disease who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their sera. Majority of the patients were around 40 years and there was a male predominance. According to histopathological pattern, there were 18 (41.8%) cases of chronic active hepatitis, 16 (37.2%) cases of inactive cirrhosis, 3 (6.9%) cases of chronic persistent hepatitis and 2 (4.7%) cases of chronic lobular hepatitis and hepatoma each. Two (4.7%) cases could not be exactly categorised into any particular histological entity. The inflammation, hepatic cell necrosis and fibrosis were more marked in cases of chronic active hepatitis without past history of jaundice. Micronodular cirrhosis was the most common histological pattern in the study. Shikata orcein stain for detection of HBsAg in the hepatocytes was positive in 8 (18.6%) cases only.