title: SARS-associated viral hepatitis caused by a novel coronavirus: report of three cases.
abstract: Liver impairment is commonly reported in up to 60% of patients who suffer from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Here we report the clinical course and liver pathology in three SARS patients with liver impairment. Three patients who fulfilled the World Health Organization case definition of probable SARS and developed marked elevation of alanine aminotransferase were included. Percutaneous liver biopsies were performed. Liver specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using enhanced real-time PCR was applied to look for evidence of SARS-associated coronavirus infection. Marked accumulation of cells in mitosis was observed in two patients and apoptosis was observed in all three patients. Other common pathologic features included ballooning of hepatocytes and mild to moderate lobular lymphocytic infiltration. No eosinophilic infiltration, granuloma, cholestasis, fibrosis, or fibrin deposition was noted. Immunohistochemical studies revealed 0.5% to 11.4% of nuclei were positive for proliferative antigen Ki-67. RT-PCR showed evidence of SARS-associated coronavirus in the liver tissues, but not in the sera of all 3 patients. However, electron microscopy could not identify viral particles. No giant mitochondria, micro- or macro-vesicular steatosis was observed. In conclusion, hepatic impairment in patients with SARS is due to SARS-associated coronavirus infection of the liver. The prominence of mitotic activity of hepatocytes is unique and may be due to a hyperproliferative state with or without disruption of cell cycle by the coronavirus. With better knowledge of pathogenesis, specific therapy may be targeted to reduce viral replication and modify the disease course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR China. chautainin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Tai-Nin
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Kam-Cheong
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Tak-Yin
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Tat-Chong
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Yiu-Cheong
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Kin-Wing
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yuk-Keung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Tso
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Sik-To
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ching-Lung
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D001706:Biopsy; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D061466:Lopinavir; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019438:Ritonavir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D061466:Lopinavir; D019438:Ritonavir; D008775:Methylprednisolone