[Electron microscopic study of the liver in chronic viral hepatitis C complicated by alcoholic liver disease]

Combination of HCV-infection and alcoholic liver disease is associated with enhancement of hepatocellular damage (lipid and hydropic degeneration become diffuse), a decrease of hepatocyte necrotic foci and lymphomacrophagal infiltration, an increase of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver fibrosis, absence of lymphoid follicles. An important role in the genesis of these liver alterations is attributed to the combination of viral and alcoholic factors with persistence of hepatitis C virus and liver reticulo-endothelial system depression.