Hepatic disorders in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome: a clinical and pathological study.

We reviewed the clinical data, hepatic histology, and microbiological features of 21 patients with previously documented acquired immune deficiency syndrome who had liver biopsies. Diagnoses of specific infections were made on liver biopsy in 11/21 patients (57%). Granulomas were found in 10/21 patients (48%) and were most often a manifestation of infection with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare. Elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and longer duration of diagnosed illness were significantly associated with the presence of granulomatous disease.