Degree of Viremia and Liver Histology in Chronic Hepatitis C

This non-interventional descriptive study, was carried out in a private centre named The Liver Centre, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, between April and September, 2010. Core needle liver biopsies of fifty five patients of chronic hepatitis C were evaluated according to Knodell's histological activity index system. The patients were categorized into four subgroups depending upon the grade and stage of disease according to Desmet's classification, and into three groups according to degree of viremia. Five patients had mild viremia, 43 moderate and 7 had severe viremia. Seven patients had minimal disease, 9 mild, 22 moderate and 17 had severe chronic hepatitis. Eight patients had no fibrosis, 20 had fibrous portal expansion, 19 bridging fibrosis, and 8 patients had cirrhosis. No significant correlation was found between serum HCV RNA levels and grade or stage of the disease, with correlation coefficients of rs = -.054 and rs = .034 respectively. Moreover, no individual component of the HAI correlated with serum HCV RNA levels. Serum HCV RNA level does not determine the degree of hepatic injury precisely and liver biopsy is necessary to accurately evaluate the extent of liver damage. Key Words: HCV; Chronic Hepatitis; Liver Biopsy DOI: 10.3329/akmmcj.v1i2.7460 Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal 2010; 1(2): 17-20

Download Full-text

Serum Hepatitis C Virus RNA Levels and Histologic Findings in Liver Allografts With Early Recurrent Hepatitis C

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2000-124-1623-shcvrl ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 124 (11) ◽

pp. 1623-1627 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Young Nyun Park ◽

Peter Boros ◽

David Y. Zhang ◽

Patricia Sheiner ◽

Leona Kim-Schluger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Liver Biopsy ◽

Activity Index ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Recurrent Hepatitis ◽

Biopsy Specimens ◽

Histologic Activity Index ◽

Recurrent Hepatitis C ◽

Rna Levels

Abstract Background.—Histopathologic features of early recurrent hepatitis C after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) may be modified by immunosuppressive therapy or complicated by other conditions. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level usually increases after OLTx, but its correlation to histologic findings is not clear. Objective.—To evaluate the histologic findings of early recurrent hepatitis C in liver allografts and its correlation to serum HCV RNA level. Methods.—We studied 14 patients who underwent OLTx for chronic HCV infection. Thirty liver biopsy specimens and HCV RNA levels of 22 corresponding plasma samples obtained during the first 6 months following OLTx were analyzed. The control group (9 patients, 25 biopsy specimens) was chosen at random from patients with chronic liver disease other than HCV who were undergoing OLTx, and all tested negative for HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction after OLTx. Results.—Statistically significant pathological features of early recurrent HCV infection were the number of acidophilic bodies, piecemeal necrosis, lymphocyte predominance in the portal tracts, and fibrous septum. These findings and histologic activity index scores increased with time after OLTx. The HCV RNA levels determined by branched DNA assay showed no significant correlation with histologic features. However, patients with higher histologic activity index scores tended to have higher RNA levels. Conclusions.—Liver biopsy specimens are helpful for the diagnosis or confirmation of early recurrent hepatitis C in liver allografts, but serial biopsy specimens are sometimes required for definite diagnosis. The HCV RNA levels are usually higher in patients who display signs of more severe liver damage.

Download Full-text