Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is type of chronic viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus.

It is a type of medical liver disease

General

• Leads to hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of cirrhosis.
• Tends to be chronic; the "C" in "hepatitis C" stands for chronic.
• Diagnosis is by serology.

Associated pathology:

• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
• Membranous nephropathy.
• Cryoglobulinemia.

Microscopic

Features:

• Lobular inflammation - this is non-specific finding.
  • Usually Grade 1, rarely Grade 2 and almost never Grade 3 or Grade 4.
• Periportal steatosis in genotype 3.
  • Steatosis in hepatitis C is usually a secondary pathology, i.e. a separate pathologic process.

Images

Hepatitis C virus. Metavir Activity Index 1 (PMN 0 LN 1). Preserved architecture shows small, inflamed triads [red arrows] and foci of spotty necrosis [blue arrows] (Row 1 Left 40X). Trichrome shows periportal fibrosis [blue arrow] and central venous sclerosis [green arrow] (Row 1 Right 100X). A higher power view of an inflamed triad with interface hepatitis, but a smooth outline, suggesting no piecemeal necrosis (Row 2 Left 200X). A focus of spotty necrosis near an unafflicted triad below it (Row 2 Right 200X). Reticulin shows collapse [arrows] extending from/near portal triad without piecemeal necrosis (Row 3 Left 200X). Reticulin shows collapse [arrows] extending from/near central vein (Row 3 Right 200X).

Hepatitis C with metavir stage IV fibrosis (advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis) and confluent piecemeal necrosis. Inflamed bands cross hepatocytes with steatosis (Row 1 Left 40X). Trichrome shows extensive bridges (Row 1 Right 40X). Trichrome also documents early nodule formation (Row 2 Left 40X). Reticulin shows regeneration (two nuclei per cord) in a nodule, but not throughout (Row 2 Right 200X). Hematoxylin and eosin shows piecemeal necrosis as inflammatory cells surrounding hepatocytes (Row 3 Left 400X). Reticulin shows black lines about hepatocytes, indicating confluent piecemeal necrosis (Row 3 Right 400X).

Hepatitis C. Metavir Activity Index 2 (PMN2, LN1), Metavir fibrosis stage 3. Expanded dark triads, indicating interface hepatitis [red arrows], foci of steatosis [green arros], potential bridge [blue arrow] (Row 1 Left 20X). Extending from triad are stretches of apparent necrosis [green arrows], inflammatory cells bound hepatocytes afflicted by piecemeal necrosis [yellow arrows], ballooning degeneration denoted by cytoplasmic tufts [blue arrows] (Row 1 Right 400X). Reticulin shows collapse (necrosis) with thick bands [red arrows], as well as rosettes [green arrows] indicating dilated cholangioles (Row 2 Left 200X). Reticulin here shows continuous piecemeal necrosis with black bounded hepatocyte islets [arrows] (Row 2 Right 200X). Reticulin here shows a bridge with regeneration, wherein two or more nuclei lie between reticulin lines [arrows] (Row 3 Left 200X). Trichrome demarcates one of the bridges (Row 3 Right 200X).

DDx:

• Hepatitis B (without ground glass hepatocytes).
• Autoimmune hepatitis.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis without granulomas.
• Drug reaction.

See also

• Medical liver disease.