Co-infection of hepatitis a and herpes simplex virus: a case report

Hepatitis A is a self-limiting disease where fulminant hepatitis and death occur in a small proportion of patients. Fulminant hepatic failure is more common in patients with underlying liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis B and C, co-infection with more than one genotype of hepatitis A at the same time, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or alcoholic steatohepatitis, in advanced age and with dependence on intravenous drugs. We present a case of infection of hepatitis A and herpes simplex virus that lead to acute liver failure. In this rare case, the importance of attention to the first manifestations of the disease in diagnosing severe cases of hepatitis A in adults is emphasized. At the same time, HSV hepatitis can also be the cause of fulminant hepatic insufficiency. Therefore, patients with severe hepatitis A need an early examination for HSV infection, and empirical treatment with acyclovir should begin at early stage.