COVID-19-associated secondary sclerosing cholangitis with liver transplantation

We report on two cases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTX) due to SARS-Cov2-associated secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) following long-term artificial respiration and extra-corporal membrane oxygenation in intensive care. Under these conditions, SSC is a rapidly progredient biliary disease featuring degenerative cholangiopathy, loss of bile ducts, ductular and parenchymal cholestasis, biliary fibrosis, and finally cirrhosis. Reduced perfusion and oxygenation of the peribiliary plexus, severe concurrent infections, and secondary medico-toxic effects appear to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. A direct cytopathic effect of SARS-Cov2 on endothelial cells followed by thrombosis and fibrosing obliteration in all parts of the vascular bed of the liver may enhance the virus-associated liver disease and particularly SSC.