Immunohistochemical studies on the occurrence of HBs antigen in alcoholic fatty liver and alcoholic fatty liver hepatitis

120 liver biopsies of alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis were studied immunohistochemically with regard to the occurrence of HBs-antigen. In no instance HBs-antigen was detected. These findings suggest neither a major influence of hepatitis B-virus on the progression of alcoholic liver cell damage nor a defect in immunologic responsiveness to hepatitis B-virus component in the alcoholic.