Collagen and elastic fibres in acute and chronic liver injury

Abstract The histological distinction between acute and chronic liver injury is a challenging aspect of histopathology. It traditionally based on the interpretation morphological changes to extracellular matrix (ECM) at sites hepatocyte loss using histochemical stains. Our aim was investigate whether immunohistochemistry multiplexing for collagen type (I & III) elastic fibres modified Victoria blue method could be helpful. We studied 43 livers removed transplantation failure (ALF, 20 cases) or cirrhosis (23) plus 8 normal controls. In ALF periportal ECM in 2 cases, contained mainly I associated with ductular reaction 6 delicate strands 11 cases. Periportal deposition mature observed cirrhosis. perisinusoidal intact 4 collapsed condensed but composition (predominantly containing mostly 17 cases (7 including immature strands). contrast, bridging fibrous septa abundant 1 bundles elastin. propose use scale additional stains characterise injury.