Liver histology in 34 "HPsAg long-term healthy carriers

Thirty four out of 45 HBsAg long-term carriers with normal liver function tests, discovered among family members of patients with HBsAg positive liver diseases, have been investigated by liver biopsy. Of these 34, 12 had normal liver tissue and 8 mild non specific changes, such as focal Kupffer cell hyperplasia or mild lymphocytic infiltrates in the portal tracts on liver biopsy. Two subjects showed multiple histioid granulomata scattered in normal liver parenchyma. Of the remaining 12 cases, 8 showed some areas of pin-head necrosis and mild portal tracts infiltration and 4 showed some areas of focal parenchymal infiltration associated with portal tracts inflammation. We consider that these histological changes are very mild lesions within the spectrum of hepatitis. None of our cases had histological picture of Chronic liver disease. Consequently it appears that normal liver function tests may be of some values to exclude severe histological abnormalities.