Open AccessA comparison between previous and present histo-logic assessments of chronic hepatitis C viral infec-tions in humans
Author(s) -
Nimer Assy
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v5.i2.107
Subject(s) - medicine , cirrhosis , hepatitis c , viral hepatitis , gastroenterology , chronic hepatitis , fibrosis , liver biopsy , hepatitis , hepatitis c virus , pathology , immunology , biopsy , virus
AIM:To compare the previously employed classification of liver histology (minimal,chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis) with a new classification recently described by sheuer et al (activity grade and fibrosis stage) in percutaneous liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infections.METHODS:Liver biopsies from 79 untreated patients were reviewed. Anti-HCV testing had been performed by ELISA and confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay.With respect to the new classification, all the specimens were evaluated using the Knodell score for activity.RESULTS:A good correlation was revealed between the previous and more recent histologic classifica-tions in patients with abnormal liver enzyme tests. However, in 13/15 (87%) of patients with normal aminotransferase values, changes were consistent with chronic persistent hepatitis whereas normal activity and no fibrosis were demonstrated by the Sheuer classifica-tion.CONCLUSION:The old classification is more often mislead-ing but correlates well with the new classification and thereby permits comparisons between historically clinical studies.