Identification of Immune‐complex Deposition and T‐lymphocyte in Fulminant B‐viral Hepatitis With Immunohistochemical Techniques

Abstract

Cryostat sections of the liver representing fulminant B‐viral hepatitis were investigated with antisera against human immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM), C3, C4, C1q, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and T‐lymphocytes using the immunofluorescence and immunoperoxldase techniques. The liver showed positive staining for IgG, IgM, C3, C4, C1q, and HBsAg in the viable and necrotic hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in a granular fashion. Furthermore, the cell membrane of lymphocytes present in the liver were positively stained with anti T‐lymphocyte sera. The numbers of T‐lymphocytes recognized were predominant both in portal tracts and within hepatic lobules over those of non‐T‐lymphocytes. It suggests that perhaps some of the end results of fulminant hepatitis inflammatory reactions may be mediated in part by T‐lymphocytes.