A case of fulminant hepatic failure complicating hepatitis A virus superinfection in a hepatitis B virus carrier.
- Author:
Sung Bum CHO
1
;
Wan Sik LEE
;
Young Eun JOO
;
Sung Kyu CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. yejoo@chonnam.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Hepatitis A;
Hepatitis B;
Liver failure
- MeSH:
Adult;
Hepatitis;
Hepatitis A;
Hepatitis A virus;
Hepatitis B;
Hepatitis B virus;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea;
Liver;
Liver Diseases;
Liver Failure;
Liver Failure, Acute;
Male;
Superinfection
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2009;77(1):109-112
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is invariably a self-limited infection, with the majority of patients recovering completely. Underlying chronic liver disease and old age are associated with increased severity and an increased risk of fulminant hepatic failure. We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure caused by HAV superinfection in a 36-year-old male hepatitis B carrier. Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis A in Korean adults has been increasing. Furthermore, Korea is an endemic area for chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C. Therefore, the risk of progression to acute fulminant hepatic failure should be considered for hepatitis A patients with impaired liver function, especially with underlying chronic liver disease
