Histopathologic and immunohistochemic correlations in virus B chronic hepatitis.

Complete diagnosis of chronic hepatitis relies on exploring the liver by bipsic punction, performing the classic histopathologic and immunohistochemic exams. We worked out viral antigens hepatocytes by using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique as following: Ag HBs placed in cytoplasm or at the level of the cell membrane. Ag HBc preferably placed in nucleus and, a small part of it, in cytoplasm. Ag HD present especially in nucleus. A correlation between tissular antigen expression and hepatic histopathologic aspect was established. Two main types of viral expression were remarked: a regressive type reflected by cytoplasmatic Ag HBs in the absence of generalised nuclear Ag HBc--situations linked to persistent chronic hepatitis: an aggressive type characterised by the presence of the focal nuclear Ag HBc, cytoplasmatic Ag HBc or antigen HD--situations linked to active chronic hepatitis with various degrees of severity.