Ground-glass hepatocytes in unselected liver biopsies. ultrastructure and relationship to hepatitis B surface antigen.

400 unselected liver biopsies were stained with aldehyde-thionin (AT) and examined for ground-glass hepatocytes (GGH). 1) AT-positive GGH were found in about half of all HBSAg-positive patients but were never seen in HBSAg-negative patients. 2) AT-positive GGH were observed in healthy HBSAg carriers and in all forms of chronic hepatitis but never in acute HBSAg-positive hepatitis. 3) AT-negative GGH were occasionally seen in HBSAg-negative patients under drug treatment. 4) Ultrastructurally GGH showed proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum which only in AT-positive GGH contained filaments, 20-25 nm in diameter, within its cisternae.