Case Reports in Gastroenterology (Mar 2016)

Acute Cytomegalovirus Hepatitis in an Immunocompetent Host as a Reason for Upper Right Abdominal Pain

  • Kai Oliver Jensen,
  • Eliane Angst,
  • Franc Heinrich Hetzer,
  • Christian Gingert

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000442972
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 36 – 43

Abstract

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Cytomegalovirus infections are widely distributed with a seroprevalence of up to 100%. The majority of the cases take a silent course or deal with unspecific clinical symptoms. Complications in immunocompetent patients are rare but may affect the liver and lead up to an acute organ failure. In this case report, we describe a 35-year-old immunocompetent female with an acute cytomegalovirus infection presenting as acute hepatitis with ongoing upper right abdominal pain after cholecystectomy. Upper right abdominal pain is a common symptom with a wide range of differential diagnoses. If common reasons can be excluded, we want to sensitize for cytomegalovirus infection as a minor differential diagnosis even in immunocompetent patients.

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