Focal hepatocellular necrosis and portal lymphocytic infiltration of the liver in chronic alcoholics: Histopathological study of 40 liver biopsies

摘要

Forty liver biopsies of hepatitis B surface antigen negative chronic alcoholics were histologically studied to assess the influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infection. A moderate degree of focal hepatocellular necrosis and/or portal lymphocytic infiltration (FHN‐PLI) was observed in 28 of the specimens, being especially prevalent in advanced cases of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and significantly correlated with HCV‐infection. Eleven of these cases were examined in detail: HCV‐infection was detected in eight and lymphocytic infiltration was apparent in the portal area, accompanied by formation of lymph follicles. The FHN‐PLI was ascribed to alcoholic hepatitis in two HCV‐negative cases and was concluded to be of unknown etiology In the remaining one HCV‐negative case. This study thus indicated that over two‐thirds of cases of chronic hepatitis in alcoholics can be attributed to HCV‐infection, with the remainder being at least partly related to alcoholic hepatitis. The prevalence of alcohol‐induced chronic hepatitis based on immunopathological findings was unclear, but was probably less frequent than