Acute Hepatitis E: A Rare Cause of Acute Liver Failure in a Patient With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

• Published in: Cureus 2020, Vol.12 (9), p.e10628-e10628
• Main Authors: Field, Zachary, Russin, Michelle, Murillo Alvarez, Rodrigo M, Madruga, Mario, Carlan, Steve
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10628

Immunocompromised patients are particularly at risk to develop hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and its related complications. We present a rare case of HEV infection in a 35-year-old Hispanic female with concomitant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The patient presented with acute liver failure within a few weeks after receiving a blood transfusion. Our case likely represented an acute de novo HEV infection after chemotherapy in a patient with concurrent AML, evidenced by the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies as well as histological findings, and with a previous history of recent transfusions being one of the strongest risk factors for transmission. Liver failure from an acute de novo hepatitis E infection with concurrent AML can be catastrophic in the immunosuppressed patient. Our case is particularly unique due to the uncommon presentation of acute hepatitis E in a non-pregnant reproductive aged Hispanic female with recently diagnosed AML. Clinicians should maintain a low threshold to test serum HEV-RNA if a patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute hepatitis.