Title:Emperipolesis is a potential histological hallmark associated with chronic hepatitis B.
Volume: 15
Issue: 9
Author(s): Y. Hu, L. Jiang, G. Zhou, S. Liu, Y. Liu, X. Zhang, S. Zhao, L. Wu, M. Yang, L. Ma, X. Wang and J. Zhao
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Emperipolesis, hepatitis B, active liver inflammation, CD8+ T cell, HBV DNA.
Abstract: Although emperipolesis exists in infectious liver diseases, the diagnostic value of emperipolesis in
chronic hepatitis B is not exactly known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the histological characteristics and
laboratory parameters of emperipolesis in chronic hepatitis B. Totally 402 patients with hepatitis B and other
liver diseases were processed in a retrospective assessment. Inflammatory severity of hepatitis B was
evaluated with Ishak Scoring System. Immunofluorescent staining was performed for CD8 (T cells), CD20 (B
cells), CD56 (NK cells), CD68 (macrophages) and MPO (neutrophils). Emperipolesis was observed in 74.0% of
patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 82.8% of patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB). In emperipolesis,
CD8+ T cell was the main cell type. Patients with emperipolesis in CHB got high scores of inflammatory activity.
Among patients with CHB, emperipolesis was present with higher serum ALT, AST and GGT levels. HBV DNA
Load in patients with emperipolesis was as 10 times high as those without emperipolesis. HBeAb was
significantly correlated with the evidence of emperipolesis. In chronic hepatitis B, emperipolesis was
associated with severity of liver injury. The presence of emperipolesis was an indicator of active liver
inflammation.
