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General and Systemic Histopathology, C601&C602
     
    Slide 132: Acute viral hepatitis
     
     
    There are a number of features we look for to make the diagnosis of acute hepatitis, and this slide has them all. Note the "piecemeal (focal ) necrosis" of the hepatocytes in the lobules. You will see little clusters of acute inflammatory cells in the lobules and in the triads. There may be some disruption of the "limiting plate" of the triads too. The limiting plate refers to the junctional zone (i.e. first layer of hepatocytes) between the triad and the liver lobules. You should also see some Kupffer cell hyperplasia, again a common finding in hepatitis, especially viral hepatitis. What exactly are the Kupffer cells and what do they do? Hint: think reticuloendothelial system.

    See this slide with the virtual microscope.  


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