Table 3. Summary of the main histological findings of liver biopsies in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.
Immunocompetent | Immunocompromised | |
---|---|---|
Portal tracts | Enlarged portal tracts Prominent mononuclear portal and peri-portal infiltrate (frequent) Reported inflammatory cells: lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils Fibrosis of portal areas (rare) |
Mild to low mononuclear portal infiltrate Reported inflammatory cells: mainly lymphocytes |
Parenchyma | Giant cell granulomas (frequent) Lymphocytes, monocytes Sinusoidal lymphocytic infiltrate (frequent) Few necrotic hepatocytes Focal areas of necrosis (rare) |
Micro-abscesses (frequent) Giant cell granulomas (very rare) Parenchymal and sinusoidal inflammatory reaction Extensive focal liver necrosis |
Presence of viral inclusion bodies | Extremely rare | Moderate (in inflammatory cells of portal mononuclear infiltrate and in hepatocytes) |