title: Herpes simplex virus 2 hepatitis in a lung transplant recipient: a diagnostic challenge.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis is a rare and serious complication in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of an HSV hepatitis occurring 4 years after lung transplantation in a cystic fibrosis patient. The presentation was nonspecific, mimicking acute cholecystitis; orogenital signs were absent. The diagnosis was made based on viral cultures performed during cholecystectomy and confirmed by blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Although the diagnosis and treatment were delayed, the patient fully recovered with acyclovir, reduced immunosuppression, and intravenous immunoglobulins. The diagnostic difficulties, prognostic factors, and treatments of this infection are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biondini
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohana
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solis
authors.affiliation: Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Institute for Minimally Hybrid Invasive Image-Guided Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Urso
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosner
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000212:Acyclovir
keywords: hepatitis; herpes simplex virus; lung transplantation; quantitative polymerase chain reaction