[Electron microscopy study of the cooperative interaction of immunocompetent cells in the liver of patients with chronic active hepatitis B].

Electron microscopic examinations of liver biopsies from patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAH) revealed close contact of macrophages with lymphocytes in the lumen of sinusoids, penetration of lymphocytes into the liver bulk and connection of their processes with hepatocytes. Hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes was detected. The above results indicate that cooperation of the immunocompetent cells with lymphocyte killer effect is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in the formation of a complicated infectious process in CAH.