Statistical analysis of relationship between iron accumulation and hepatitis B surface antigen.

Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the relationships of iron deposition among hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, bile duct epithelial cells, portal tracts, and spleens using 68 autopsy cases obtained from Kenya, which included cases of Bantu siderosis. Of 68 cases, 33 (49%) showed siderosis. Cirrhosis was observed in 19 cases, of which 10 (53%) showed siderosis. However, there was no correlation between iron deposition and cirrhosis (Pearson chi 2 = 0.6734). The finding suggests that iron accumulation does not lead to cellular injury. On the other hand, there was a strong association between iron deposition in the livers and that in the spleens. There was also a strong correlation between the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and iron deposition in the Kupffer cells and in the spleens. Therefore, it is suggested that the hepatitis B virus infection affects the iron metabolism of the reticuloendothelial system.