Rösner Thomas, Grenz Julia, Schaumäker Marlene, Cuntz Sven, Blank Norbert, Charbel Alphonse, Flechtenmacher Christa, Michl Patrick, Pfeiffenberger Jan, Boxberger Monica, Mohr Isabelle
Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Case Reports Hepatol. 2025 Jul 23;2025:1414531. doi: 10.1155/crhe/1414531. eCollection 2025.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are common in the European population, typically presenting with mucocutaneous and anogenital manifestations. However, disseminated infections and organ involvement are rare, usually occurring in immunocompromised individuals, particularly after hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation. HSV1/2-induced hepatitis is infrequent but can result in acute liver failure (ALF) and increased mortality. We present a case of fulminant ALF caused by disseminated primary HSV2 infection in a fifty-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis treated with the JAK-inhibitor upadacitinib for 3 months prior to presentation. Clinical examination revealed severe oropharyngeal mucositis and hepatic encephalopathy. Initial laboratory results showed bicytopenia, significantly elevated transaminases, bilirubin, inflammatory markers, and severe coagulopathy. Empirical treatment with an antimicrobial regimen, intravenous aciclovir, acetylcysteine, and plasmapheresis (PPH) was initiated. The patient was listed for urgent liver transplantation based on King's College criteria. Further investigations revealed a high viral load of HSV2 DNA in the blood, and transjugular liver biopsy confirmed extensive liver necrosis with positive HSV staining. Despite antiviral therapy, the HSV2 viral load remained high, indicating resistance, and the patient was deemed "nontransplantable" due to clinical deterioration with progressive hepatic coma, hemorrhagic-septic shock, multiorgan failure, and secondary bowel ischemia, ultimately leading to the patient's death from refractory shock. This is only the second documented case of fulminant ALF due to HSV2 hepatitis in a patient undergoing JAK inhibition, and the first involving upadacitinib. It highlights the importance of considering primary herpesvirus infection as a potential cause of ALF, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and underscores the need for early antiviral intervention to improve outcomes.
单纯疱疹病毒(HSV)感染在欧洲人群中很常见,通常表现为黏膜皮肤和肛门生殖器症状。然而,播散性感染和器官受累很少见,通常发生在免疫功能低下的个体中,尤其是在造血干细胞或实体器官移植后。HSV1/2引起的肝炎并不常见,但可导致急性肝衰竭(ALF)并增加死亡率。我们报告一例由播散性原发性HSV2感染引起的暴发性ALF病例,患者为一名50岁男性,患有类风湿性关节炎,在发病前3个月接受JAK抑制剂乌帕替尼治疗。临床检查发现严重的口腔黏膜炎和肝性脑病。初始实验室检查结果显示血细胞减少、转氨酶、胆红素、炎症标志物显著升高以及严重的凝血功能障碍。开始使用抗菌方案、静脉注射阿昔洛韦、乙酰半胱氨酸和血浆置换(PPH)进行经验性治疗。根据国王学院标准,该患者被列入紧急肝移植名单。进一步检查发现血液中HSV2 DNA病毒载量很高,经颈肝活检证实广泛肝坏死且HSV染色呈阳性。尽管进行了抗病毒治疗,但HSV2病毒载量仍然很高,表明存在耐药性,并且由于临床恶化,出现进行性肝昏迷、出血性感染性休克、多器官功能衰竭和继发性肠缺血,该患者被判定为“不可移植”,最终导致患者因难治性休克死亡。这是第二例记录在案的因HSV2肝炎导致暴发性ALF的病例,该患者正在接受JAK抑制治疗,也是第一例涉及乌帕替尼的病例。它强调了将原发性疱疹病毒感染视为ALF潜在病因的重要性,特别是在免疫功能低下的患者中,并强调了早期抗病毒干预以改善预后的必要性。
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