Focal lymphocytic aggregates in chronic hepatitis C: occurrence, immunohistochemical characterization, and relation to markers of autoimmunity.

Intrahepatic lymphocytic aggregates are observed in chronic hepatitis C as well as in autoimmune chronic hepatitis. Autoantibodies and autoimmune manifestations may occur in hepatitis C. It has been suggested that the lymphocytic aggregates play a role in the liver injury of chronic hepatitis C by an immune-mediated mechanism. We studied the occurrence of intrahepatic lymphocytic aggregates and of autoantibodies in a consecutive series of 128 patients with chronic hepatitis C. For the phenotypic characterization of the lymphocytic aggregates cryostat sections and microwaved paraffin embedded sections were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies directed against T cell subsets, B cells, kil…