What is commonly seen in the liver cytoplasm of patients with alcoholism?

Mallory bodies are aggregates of intermediate filaments, predominantly composed of keratin, that are commonly observed in the liver cytoplasm of patients with alcoholism. These structures are indicative of liver cell injury and represent a response to chronic alcohol exposure. When alcohol consumption is excessive, it disrupts normal cellular processes leading to the abnormal accumulation of these keratin aggregates. The presence of Mallory bodies is a histological marker often associated with alcoholic hepatitis and can be detected through liver biopsy.

In alcoholic liver disease, the cytoplasm of hepatocytes may also show other changes, such as fatty deposits, which can lead to steatosis. However, the hallmark finding specifically related to alcoholism and indicative of cellular injury is the presence of Mallory bodies. Thus, while fatty deposits and other signs of liver damage may occur, the distinguishing feature prominently linked to alcoholism is Mallory bodies.

The other choices, though relevant in broader contexts of liver pathology, do not specifically relate to the characteristic histological findings in alcoholic liver disease as Mallory bodies do.