LIVER PATHOLOGY IN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS-B VIRUS

A retrospective study was carried out in 56 patients to establish the association of cytomegalovirus (CMV) with active or inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a possible risk factor in the development of severe liver disease. Patients with positive CMV serology and activ e or inactive HBV infection had elevated alanine aminotransferase acti vity and had a relatively high incidence of more severe lesions (chron ic hepatitis and active cirrhosis). In the absence of CMV, only one ca se of cirrhosis was identified compared with seven cases of hepatic fi brosis. By analogy with hepatitis C virus, CMV may bring about activat ion of the host inflammatory response against hepatocytes following HB V infection, resulting in the development of severe hepatitic disease.