Hepatitis B surface antigen in hepatocytes at necropsy

Seventy cases of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 43 cases with no primary liver disease were investigated at necropsy by Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin stain for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in liver cells. The results were correlated with serum HBsAg levels determined by radioimmunoassay and hemagglutination tests performed during the last three months of life or after death. In more than 90% of cases, a correlation was found between the results in tissue and in sera. The aldehyde fuchsin stain is a reliable tool for the detection of HBsAg in patients with cirrhosis and with HCC or without primary liver disease.