A man with diarrhea
Anthony Acosta1, Clarence Calhoun2, Zane Elfessi3,4
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 820 S Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) in adults. This report details a rare case of RSV hepatitis in an otherwise healthy individual.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly causes respiratory illness in infants and children.
- Immunocompromised individuals and the elderly are at higher risk for severe RSV outcomes.
- RSV hepatitis, a rare complication, typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms and can lead to jaundice.
Observation:
- This case study describes an immunocompetent adult experiencing a primary RSV infection.
- The patient developed jaundice and coagulopathy, indicative of severe liver involvement.
- This presentation is unusual for RSV in non-immunocompromised individuals.
Findings:
- The study documents a unique instance of RSV hepatitis in an immunocompetent host.
- This finding expands the known clinical spectrum of RSV infection.
- The case highlights the potential for RSV to cause significant hepatic dysfunction even in healthy individuals.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider RSV hepatitis in the differential diagnosis of acute liver injury, particularly in adults presenting with respiratory symptoms.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis of RSV hepatitis in immunocompetent hosts.
- This case underscores the importance of considering RSV in adult infections, beyond its typical pediatric respiratory associations.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) primarily affects infants and children and can manifest as upper airway dysfunction. Patients at the highest risk of increased morbidity and mortality from RSV include those who are immunosuppressed and the elderly. Patients with RSV hepatitis most commonly present with fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; however, patients may present with jaundice and coagulopathies in a severe infection. We describe a first-of-its-kind case of an immunocompetent patient who developed RSV hepatitis after primary infection.
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