LIVER-BIOPSY PATHOLOGY IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION

Objectives To determine the hepatic changes in patients with human imm unodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Dublin and to assess the useful ness of liver biopsy in this condition. Design A consecutive series of liver biopsies was examined retrospectively and correlated with clini cal findings. Methods A histological review was conducted of specimens from all patients who had undergone liver biopsy in a tertiary referr al centre for HIV-infected patients in Dublin. Results Thirty-nine liv er biopsies were studied from 36 patients. Thirty-one (86%) showed pat hological changes. Non-specific changes were most frequent, followed b y viral-induced chronic hepatitis (15 cases). Acute hepatitis was docu mented in five and cirrhosis in four cases. Five biopsies performed fo r pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) or suspected tuberculosis showed gra nulomas. Organisms were rarely identified (2) and bile duct changes we re uncommon. Conclusion Liver biopsy was useful in detecting primary h epatic pathology and, in some cases, the cause of PUO, but not useful in detecting opportunistic infections despite their known presence in other organs. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.