[Non-viral liver infections in immunocompromised patients]

Bacterial, parasitic and fungal liver infections have been reported in severely immunocompromized patients. The liver is usually involved when the infection is disseminated. Clinical manifestations are non specific and commonly associated with increased in alcaline phosphatases serum level. Liver insufficiency and portal hypertension are very uncommon. Liver biopsy remains necessary for the diagnosis. Mycobacterial infections represent the major cause of liver infection in this population. Prevalence of biliary cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis in patients with AIDS has hugely declined since the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Liver fungal infections have been reported in patients with T lymphocytes dysfunction, are mainly related to Candida species, but remain infrequent.