COUNCILMAN BODIES are seen in –
**Core Concept**
Councilman bodies are apoptotic hepatocytes seen in various liver conditions, including acute viral hepatitis. They are characterized by condensed, fragmented nuclei and cytoplasmic shrinkage.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Councilman bodies are a hallmark of apoptosis in the liver, resulting from viral infections or other forms of liver injury. The apoptotic process involves a series of molecular events that ultimately lead to programmed cell death. In the liver, this can be triggered by viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C, as well as other forms of liver damage.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Councilman bodies are not typically seen in fatty liver disease, which is characterized by steatosis and inflammation.
* **Option B:** Councilman bodies are not a feature of autoimmune hepatitis, where the immune system attacks liver cells, but the histological findings are more variable.
* **Option C:** Councilman bodies are not specific to drug-induced liver injury, although some drugs can cause apoptosis and necrosis in liver cells.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Councilman bodies are a key histological feature in the diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis, particularly in the early stages of the disease.
**Correct Answer:** B.