A histopathological study of the liver in seven fatal cases of Labrea hepatitis with different survival times permitted a sequential assessment of the changes. The fundamental earlier lesions were acute fatty change, lytic and coagulative necrosis of isolated cells in all the lobules, without massive or zona! necrosis. Mononuclear leucocytic infiltration in portal spaces, features of cholestasis, proliferation of small biliary ducts and liver-cell regeneration appeared as later consequences from the sudden acute parenchymal injury. The histologic picture is characteristic but not pathognomonic and gives no clues as to the pathogenesis of the disease, whifch remains idhiopathic. The tiver is the main and primary organ affected in this disease, changes in other organs being mild and secondary.
Labrea hepatitis; Hepatitis; Histopathology; Hepatic necrosis