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Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection and Hepatitis in a Renal Allograft Recipient
Author(s) -
Foster Keay M.,
Ralston Mary,
Field Peter R.,
Hayes James M.,
Lord Reginald S. A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1972.tb03924.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatitis , toxic hepatitis , pathology , mononuclear cell infiltration , liver biopsy , azathioprine , seroconversion , cytomegalovirus , biopsy , immunology , herpesviridae , viral disease , virus , disease
Summary: An instance of anicteric hepatitis attributed to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is reported in an adult renal allograft recipient receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The patient contracted a primary infection with CMV, as judged by seroconversion. Circulating atypical lymphocytes were found on only one occasion despite serial blood film examinations. The hepatitis subsided spontaneously without residual abnormality of liver function. Histological examination of a liver biopsy showed focal mononuclear cell infiltration in the parenchyma and some portal areas, and foci of liver cell necrosis or degeneration. A single large inclusion‐bearing cell with the features of a cytomegalic cell was found in an interlobular bile duct. The possibilities of alternative or contributing causes of the hepatitis were considered, such as serum hepatitis, halothane hepatitis or azathioprine toxicity. The origin of the CMV infection could not be ascertained but transfused blood was considered to be the most likely source.