IMMUNOHISTOLOGIC DEMONSTRATION OF HEPATITIS-B VIRAL-ANTIGENS IN LIVER WITH REFERENCE TO ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN LIVER-INJURY

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (1) , 1-17
Abstract
Indirect immunoperoxidase stainings for hepatitis B core and surface antigens (HBc&s Ag) were applied to formalin-fixed paraffin sections in 113 liver specimens from 56 patients. Many cytomorphologic staining characteristics of HBc&s Ag were illustrated, and the percentages of the cellular population positive for Hbc&s Ag were estimated for all specimens to provide the basis for general analyses. The quantitative expressions and the topographic distribution of HBc&s Ag were assessed with respect to their significance and implication in histopathologic reactions. A definitive relationship or relevance was neither established nor completely excluded due to the size of samples. Cytomorphologically the membranous expression of HBc&s Ag was often associated with acute lobular hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis. The membranous expression may be the prerequisite for immune mediated hepatitic injury in viral hepatitis. Indirect immunoferritin and immunoperoxidase EM was used to study HBc&s Ag on formalin-fixed liver specimens. The results assured the validity of the light microscopic immunohistologic procedures. The immuno-EM confirmed the presence of Hbc Ag in the Dane particle formation that takes place in the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. The significance of the cytoplasmic Hbc Ag and the possible role of immuno-EM in the elucidation of mechanisms of hepatitic injury were discussed.