Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related acute liver failure: a case series from the US Acute Liver Failure Study Group.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare clinical syndrome associated with a high case fatality rate. Asymptomatic primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common in the general population while acute hepatitis and jaundice are much less common and ALF has been rarely reported. We reviewed the presenting features as well as clinical outcomes amongst consecutive adults with EBV-related ALF.

Methods

Amongst the 1,887 adult ALF patients enrolled into the US ALF Study Group from January 1998 to February 2012, there were four patients (0.21 %) with EBV-related ALF. Diagnostic criteria for acute EBV infection included compatible serologies and/or the detection of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in liver tissue.

Results

Median patient age was 30 years (range 18-44); 75 %

SUBMITTER: Mellinger JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4250929 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature