Cytomegalovirus infection-associated fulminant hepatitis in an immunocompetent adult requiring emergency living-donor liver transplantation: Report of a case

Young Dong Yu, Gil Chun Park, Pyoung Jae Park, Young Il Choi, Shin Hwang, Gi Won Song, Dong Hwan Jung, Chul Soo Ahn, Ki Hun Kim, Deog Bok Moon, Tae Yong Ha, Sung Gyu Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is usually self-limiting in healthy adults, but it can lead to significant complications. This report presents the case of an immunocompetent adult with fulminant hepatitis caused by a CMV infection requiring emergency living-donor liver transplantation. A 39-year-old female with persistent fever for 6 weeks was referred for fulminant hepatitis, but the underlying etiology was not identified. Rapid deterioration of consciousness led to an emergency living-donor liver transplant using a modified right lobe graft. She showed increasing CMV antigenemia after surgery and the explant liver pathology showed massive hepatic necrosis with positive staining for CMV protein. Treatment with ganciclovir improved the graft liver function and her general condition recovered. This report presents a rare case of CMV-associated fulminant hepatitis which led to emergency liver transplantation. Although CMV is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with severe hepatitis, even immunocompetent patients, after other more common etiologies have been excluded.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)424-428
Number of pages5
JournalSurgery Today
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Apr
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Emergency liver transplantation
  • Fulminant hepatitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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