EC Gastroenterology and Digestive System

Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis accounts for only 1% of all acute liver failures and lethality rates can be extremely high (up to 75%). High levels of viral load during first infection and immunocompromised hosts are major risk factors for poor outcome. Delayed diagnosis without antiviral therapy also contributes to the unfavorable outcome. Due to its severity, is acceptable to start treatment pre-emptively with acyclovir in cases of acute liver failure of unknown origin. PCR for HSV is an important non-invasive tool for diagnosis but not always available. Liver biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis of HSV and should be consider carefully owing to elevated risk of bleeding in critical patients.

Herein we describe a case of an immunocompetent young patient with herpetic hepatitis resolution after early treatment with acyclovir.

Keywords: Herpes Simplex; Hepatitis; Infection; Treatment; Acyclovir

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