Drug-induced hepatitis - morphological and ultrastructural aspects

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2007;48(4):449-54.

Abstract

Frequency of drug-induced liver diseases is increasingly, more than 200 different drugs being incriminated in hepatic disorders. We performed a retrospective study on 65 cases of deaths due to drug intoxications and an experimental model of subacute hepatitis induced by acetaminophen. In our experimental model, we observed various histological lesions: granular degeneration, vascular congestion, lymphoplasmocyte infiltration, cytonecrosis. Histological criteria are not specifically, but very usefully, because based on these criteria we can suspect a drug etiology in hepatic disorders when any other cause is absent. Ultrastructural study of hepatocytes revealed some modifications, in addition to data provided by optical microscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cadaver
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vacuoles / pathology