A 50-year-old male IV drug user is diagnosed with hepatitis C. Examination of the liver reveals cell death secondary to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hepatitis C is known to cause liver damage through pathologic apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. This occurs as a result of viral antigens triggering the immune system and causing inflammation in the liver, leading to the death of liver cells. Fat necrosis and pyknosis are not typical consequences of hepatitis C infection. Physiologic apoptosis is a normal process of programmed cell death that occurs as part of the body's natural cell turnover, and is not directly related to hepatitis C infection.

A 50-Year-Old Male IV Drug User Is Diagnosed with Hepatitis