The morphometric parameters of non-parenchymal liver cells of 6–12-months old dead children from HIV-mono-infected mothers

Background. HIV infection remains one of the most pressing global medico-social challenges, affecting all age and social groups, including newborns and infants born to HIV-infected mothers. Despite the considerable amount of research dedicated to adult HIV-infected populations, data on the morphofunctional changes in the liver of infants within the first year of life remain limited. Of particular interest is the study of non-parenchymal liver cells – Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, dendritic cells, and liver-associated T-lymphocytes – which play a crucial role in maintaining hepatic immune homeostasis. Purpose – study was to conduct a morphometric analysis of non-parenchymal liver cells in infants born to HIV-monoinfected mothers, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of liver injury in this vulnerable cohort. Materials and Methods. The study was based on 87 liver tissue samples from the experimental group and 45 samples from a control group. Histological and immunohistochemical methods were applied using specific antibodies (CD68, α-SMA, CD4, CD8, CD1a). Results. The morphometric assessment revealed a statistically significant decrease in the number of Kupffer cells (11.4 ± 2.3%) and CD4-positive lymphocytes (19.9 ± 1.5%) compared to the control group (21.2 ± 2.5% and 43.3 ± 4.9%, respectively), indicating impaired immune defense mechanisms in the liver. Simultaneously, there was a marked increase in activated hepatic stellate cells (26.5 ± 3.3% vs. 9.8 ± 1.2%) and dendritic cells (4.7 ± 0.9% vs. 2.6 ± 0.3%). Conclusions. These findings demonstrate profound alterations in the hepatic immune microenvironment of infants born to HIV-infected mothers, including suppression of cellular immunity, activation of fibrogenic processes, and expansion of antigen-presenting cell populations. The detected changes may contribute to the early development of chronic liver diseases and fibrosis. The results of this study may serve as a morphological basis for improving diagnostic approaches, prognosis, and preventive strategies for liver pathologies in HIV-exposed infants.