Hepatitis B virus associated particles in the bile canaliculus.

The liver biopsy specimen from a patient with hepatitis B surface antigen was pbserved by electron microscopy. Dane particles, uncoated core particles and tubular forms were demonstrated in hepatocytes. Dane particles and tubular forms, approximately 25nm in diameter, were also found in the bile canaliculi. These findings suggest that hepatitis B virus and associated particles are released from hepatocytes into the bile duct