Hepatic pathology in pediatric acquired immunodefiency syndrome

In a retrospective study we assessed the hepatic changes in children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome by reviewing 12 biopsy specimens and 48 autopsy specimens from 54 children. Hepatopathology differed in biopsy and autopsy material. In biopsy specimens, chronic active hepatitis with predominantly T8 lymphocytes by tissue immunochemistry was common (five of 12 specimens). Fatty degeneration and hepatocellular necrosis were either absent, mild, or patchy. On the other hand, at autopsy, chronic active hepatitis was not observed. The most prominent changes were extensive fatty degeneration, nonspecific portal mononuclear infiltration, portal fibrosis, and confluent (ischemic) necrosis. Opportunistic infections such as Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) were noted only at autopsy. In addition, three unusual morphologic characteristics were noted: nodular lymphoplasmacytic portal infiltrate, a pseudosarcomatous variant of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection, and multinucleated giant cells (foreign body type and giant cell transformation of hepatocytes).