Fulminant Epstein-Barr viral hepatitis: orthotopic liver transplantation and review of the literature.
Acute hepatic failure caused by primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been reported in the literature in 16 cases, with an overall mortality of 87%. We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure in an immunocompetent young girl caused by primary EBV infection that was treated by orthotopic liver transplantation. After transplantation she has been treated with low-dose immunosuppression, a pooled gammaglobulin preparation containing anti-EBV antibodies, and anti-viral therapy. The patient is presently doing well 2 years after transplantation without evidence of clinical EBV infection, primary immunodeficiency, or lymphoproliferative disease.
Feranchak
A P
AP
Pediatric Liver Center and Liver Transplantation Program, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO, USA.
Tyson
R W
RW
Narkewicz
M R
MR
Karrer
F M
FM
Sokol
R J
RJ
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D005719:gamma-Globulins