Herpesvirus infection of the liver

The human herpesviruses can produce a wide variety of disease in the liver (Table 7). The immunocompromised host is particularly susceptible to hepatic manifestations of herpesvirus disease. CMV is the most common opportunistic pathogen in the immunocompromised patient. The clinical presentation of hepatic herpesvirus infection is often nonspecific. A high index of suspicion and rapid progression to liver biopsy to document viral replication (alpha- and betaherpesviruses) or outgrowth of virus-infected cells (gammaherpesviruses) can lead to lifesaving therapeutic interventions.