Electron Microscopy Studies of Severe Virus Hepatitis

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Abstract
Tissue slices from needle biopsy of the liver in 25 patients suffering from severe virus hepatitis were examined by electron microscopy. The samples were obtained at the beginning of coma or in a few patients before coma developed. The observations on cytoplasmic inclusions and virus-like particles are presented. Cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in 17 of 25 cases. The number of liver cells with inclusion bodies varied from case to case and even, in the same biopsy specimen, from one area to the other without any specific relation to the lobule. They differed from the typical Mallory bodies1,2 by their characteristics (Fig 1). They resembled the inclusions described in the virus "factories" of certain known viral affections.3-6 A comparative study by immunofluorescence applying the indirect method of Coombs, with anti-Australia serum7 was possible in 12 of 25 cases. Fluorescent particles were found, in six of 12 cases, seldom