Fulminant hepatitis with microvesicular steatosis (a histologic comparison of cases occurring in Brazil - Labrea hepatitis - and in central Africa - Bangui hepatitis)

Abstract

A similar histopathologic picture of fatal hepatitis associated with widespread acute fatty changes in hepatocytes and single-cell necrosis was seen in epidemic cases occurring in two distinct equatorial areas having high prevalences of HBV and HDV infections. The cases were previously considered to be two different entities; Labrea hepatitis in Brazil, and Bangui hepatitis in the Central African Republic. However, the histopathologic findings suggest that they are pathogenetically and etiologically related to HBVand HDV infections, probably modified by some as yet unknown factor (s) present in equatorial forest zones.

Translated abstract

Um quadro histopatológico similar de hepatite fatal, associado a mudanças adiposas agudas, muito espalhadas em hepatócitos e necrose unicelular, foi visto em casos epidêmicos ocorrendo em duas diferentes áreas equatoriais, com alta prevalência de infecções HBV e HDV. Os casos foram previamente considerados como sendo duas entidades diferentes: hepatite de Labrea no Brasil e hepatite de Bangui na República da Africa Central. Contudo, os achados histopatológicos sugerem que são patogênica e etiologicamente relacionados a infecções HBV e HDV, provavelmente modificados por algum fator ainda desconhecido, presente nas zonas de floresta equatorial.