[Occurrence of nuclear bodies in acute viral hepatitis]

Needle-hepatic-biopsy of 10 patients with acute viral hepatitis was investigated by the aid of electron microscope. In the hepatocytes striking nucleolar alterations were observed, i.e. breakage and dispersion of the nucleolonema in the karyoplasma. Not infrequently nuclear bodies were seen. According to the present knowledge it can not be decided whether nuclear bodies are normal constituents of the hepatocytes or product of the impaired function. Complex nuclear bodies--in acute viral hepatitis--might indicate the presence of viral infection, on the other hand they might be the sign of the disturbance of the nuclear RNS-synthesis.