Hepatitis A and Other Viral Infections

Ishay, Yuval; Ilan, Yaron

Viral-mediated liver injury can result from infections with the classic hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis A through E, or by other viruses. In the present chapter, we review the immune-based pathogenesis and liver-related manifestations of hepatitis A virus as well as several additional viruses that affect the liver including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human herpesviruses (HHV 6, 7, and 8), human parvovirus B19, adenoviruses, and influenza virus. The clinical presentations range from mild and transient elevation of aminotransferases to severe chronic liver disease and liver failure. These viruses should be considered as possible etiologic agents in patients who manifest liver injury and whose serologic markers for the classic hepatotropic viruses are negative.