Fulminant hepatic failure due to varicella zoster in a heart transplant patient: successful liver transplant

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2009 Nov;28(11):1215-6. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2009.06.017. Epub 2009 Sep 26.

Abstract

Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare complication of infection by varicella zoster virus that is favored by immunosuppression. Within 1 week, a 43-year-old male heart transplant recipient who was admitted with epigastric pain successively developed a generalized vesicular rash, hepatitis, and secondary multiorganic failure involving encephalopathy, despite treatment with acyclovir (since Day 2) and varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin (since Day 6). Emergency liver transplantation was performed on Day 9, and 36 months later, his heart and liver function are normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Heart Transplantation / physiology*
  • Hemoglobinopathies / etiology
  • Hemoglobinopathies / virology
  • Herpes Zoster / complications*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / virology*
  • Prothrombin Time
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Tacrolimus