[Histological findings of TTV-positive non-B non-C chronic hepatitis patients]

Abstract

TT virus has been reported in association with patients with acute and chronic liver disease of unknown etiology. In order to estimate the pathogenesis of TTV, we investigated the liver histology in the patients of TTV-positive chronic hepatitis. The findings frequently observed in TTV-DNA positive cases were changes in liver parenchyma such as focal necrosis, hepatocyte degeneration or fatty change of various degree. On the other hand, degree of chronic inflammation in portal areas such as lymphocyte infiltration, piecemeal necrosis or fibrosis were relatively mild, which might suggest the good prognosis in TTV-positive cases. However, we could not find any differences in liver histology between TTV positive and negative patients.