title: Fatal herpes simplex virus hepatitis following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anterior resection for rectal cancer.
abstract: We describe the case of a young patient who contracted fatal herpes simplex virus hepatitis following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anterior resection for rectal cancer. The rarity and non-specific presentation of this treatable disease, which masqueraded as the sequelae of postoperative sepsis, resulted in a diagnosis following death. Features that should prompt inclusion of herpes simplex virus hepatitis in the differential diagnoses are suggested and the case is a reminder of how neoadjuvant therapy may subtly alter a patient's immunocompetency.
authors.affiliation: Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Toomey
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dhadda
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sanni
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hartley
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*