MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AT THE HEPATOCYTE LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B AND C

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections remain among the most pressing global public health challenges due to their widespread prevalence, silent progression, and potential to cause irreversible liver damage. The hepatotropic nature of HBV and HCV leads to persistent inflammation, immune-mediated injury, and significant morphological alterations at the hepatocyte level, ultimately resulting in fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate and characterize the cellular and subcellular morphological changes in hepatocytes in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Emphasis is placed on cytoplasmic vacuolization, nuclear polymorphism, ballooning degeneration, apoptotic and necrotic changes, Mallory-Denk bodies, and mitochondrial dysfunction. By integrating histopathological findings with current virological and immunological data, the study highlights the mechanisms by which chronic infection alters liver architecture and function. The analysis also underscores the role of liver biopsy and advanced imaging techniques in detecting these morphological patterns and supports the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. These insights are critical for improving early diagnosis, patient stratification, and long-term clinical outcomes in individuals affected by chronic viral hepatitis.