A 45-year-old alcoholic man has hepatomegaly. Biopsy shows hepatocytes with large, clear cytoplasmic vacuoles displacing the nucleus peripherally, ballooning degeneration, and Mallory-Denk bodies. Mallory-Denk bodies are composed of:
- A Aggregated, ubiquitinated intermediate filaments (cytokeratins 8 and 18) ✓
- B Accumulated triglycerides in smooth ER membranes
- C Glycogen deposits in hepatocyte cytoplasm
- D Iron deposits from secondary hemosiderosis
Correct answer: A. Aggregated, ubiquitinated intermediate filaments (cytokeratins 8 and 18)
Explanation
Mallory-Denk bodies (formerly Mallory hyalin) are irregular, rope-like eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions composed of aggregated, ubiquitinated intermediate filament proteins — primarily cytokeratins 8 and 18. They are characteristic of alcoholic hepatitis but also appear in NASH, Wilson's disease, and primary biliary cholangitis. Their presence reflects hepatocyte injury with impaired proteasomal degradation.
Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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