MCQ – 88499

A previously healthy 38-year-old man complains of yellow discoloration of his eyes, abdominal pain, and low-grade fever of 1-month duration. Physical examination demonstrates a distended abdomen, right upper quadrant tenderness, and a palpable liver edge 2 cm below the right costal margin. Total serum bilirubin is 7.4 mg/dL. Serum levels of AST and ALTare elevated (229 and 495 U/L, respectively). The prothrombin time is prolonged (18 seconds). A liver biopsy is shown in the image. The pathologic findings are indicative of which of the following liver diseases?

Correct Answer � A Explanation

Answer : A Acute viral hepatitis

Pathologic changes of acute viral hepatitis include disarray of liver cell plates, ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, intracellular and

extracellular bile stasis, apoptotic (Councilman) bodies, and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate. 

Histologic manifestations are similar in acute hepatitis A, B, and C. Liver damage in acute viral hepatitis is reflected in elevations of serum transaminases and hyperbilirubinemia. 

Severe liver damage leads to impaired production of serum proteins, including prothrombin and other coagulation factors. The other choices are examples of chronic liver disease.