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Semin Liver Dis 2010; 30(3): 296-301
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262515
DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS IN HEPATOLOGY

© Thieme Medical Publishers

A Patient with Chronic Hepatitis B and Regression of Fibrosis during Treatment

Charissa Y. Chang1 , Paul Martin2 , Anastasia Fotiadu3 , Prodromos Hytiroglou3
  • 1Division of Liver Diseases, Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York
  • 2University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
  • 3Department of Pathology, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Publication History

Publication Date:
21 July 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We present a patient with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, in whom significant regression of hepatic fibrosis was achieved after a lengthy antiviral treatment. A liver biopsy specimen obtained at initiation of treatment showed chronic hepatitis B with mild activity (histologic activity index: 7) and marked fibrosis (stage 4, in a scale of 0 to 6). A second biopsy specimen, obtained 10 years later, demonstrated almost complete resolution of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. One year after the second biopsy, seroconversion from HBsAg positive to anti-HBs positive status was achieved, and antiviral treatment was discontinued. This case is illustrative of the significant histologic improvement that can be accomplished in chronic hepatitis B when viral activity is suppressed long term. Lengthy antiviral treatment can achieve resorption of excess fibrous tissue, even in patients with marked fibrosis.

KEYWORDS

Chronic hepatitis B - HBsAg seroconversion - regression of fibrosis

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Prodromos HytiroglouM.D. 

Department of Pathology, Aristotle University Medical School

540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece

Email: phitir@med.auth.gr