[Acute hepatitis in infectious diseases]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine

Context:

• Common hepatitis viruses (A-G) are well-known, but numerous other infections can cause liver inflammation and fever.
• Accurate diagnosis of these less common causes is crucial for effective internal medicine management and patient prognosis.
• This review focuses on febrile hepatitis cases, including those without jaundice, and their clinical significance.

Purpose:

• To review infectious diseases that present with fever and hepatitis, differentiating those where liver damage is primary from those where hepatitis is a secondary syndrome.
• To highlight the importance of early diagnosis for conditions like leptospirosis and yellow fever, where hepatic involvement dictates outcomes.
• To discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for a range of infectious etiologies of hepatitis.

Summary:

• The review examines infectious agents causing hepatitis and fever, including leptospirosis and yellow fever, where liver pathology is key.
• It also covers infections like mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, typhoid, and malaria, where hepatitis presents as a syndrome within a broader disease context.
• Modern diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for these diverse conditions are presented.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of differential diagnoses for febrile hepatitis beyond common viral types.
• Provides clinicians with a framework for identifying and managing less-common infectious causes of liver disease.
• Underscores the importance of considering a wide spectrum of infections in patients with fever and hepatitis for improved clinical outcomes.