[Fatal herpetic hepatitis in an apparently healthy adult]

The authors report the case of a 46-year old patient who died from fulminant herpetic hepatitis. No cause of immuno-depression was documented in this patient. No skin or mucosal herpetic lesion was found except a questionable urethritis. Herpes virus was demonstrated in the hepatocytes by electron microscopy and isolated from the serum. It was identified as herpes virus hominis type II. The low titer of circulating antibodies did not permit the distinction between herpetic primo-infection and reactivation. The features of the hepatic injury are discussed and compared with previous reports. An active diagnostic approach of herpetic hepatitis is considered.