Orcein-positive material in hepatocytes in viral hepatitis and other liver diseases

Summary Liver biopsy samples from 110 patients with various liver diseases were stained by orcein according to the method of Shikata et al. Orcein-positive hepatocellular material was observed in only the 31.7% of HBsAg seroposirive cases. A positive orcein reaction was frequently found in prottracted and chronic viral hepatitis and occasionally in other liver diseases, such as alcoholie and cholestatic hepatitis, as well as in cryptogenetic cirrhosis and in liver metastases. The results obtained suggest a more cautious evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of orcein positive hepatocellular material.