| Herpes virus infection
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Etiology
Herpes simplex virus.
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Pathogenesis
Most humans are latently infected with Herpes simplex
virus.
Suppression of the humoral immune control of viral
replication, as in drug-induced immunosuppression
or AIDS, results in reactivation of the virus and
and disseminated disease.,
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Epidemiology
Herpes virus infection of the liver is uncommon, except
in immunodeficient individuals, such as patients with AIDS.
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General Gross Description
Autopsy shows an enlarged congested liver with flecks
of white or yellow due to the hepatic cell necrosis.
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General Microscopic Description
Microscopically, the liver shows focal areas of liver
cell necrosis corresponding to the white or yellow flecks.
Surrounding these areas of liver cell necrosis, there
may be evidence of viral infection, including the
presence of the typical intranuclear inclusions of
herpes virus.
Some cell/cell fusion resulting in the formation of
large multinucleate cells is seen, another typical
histological pattern of herpes virus infection.
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Clinical Correlation
Herpes simplex infection of the liver is associated
with fever and evidence of hepatic cell injury,
including elevation of transaminases and bilirubin and
a profound leukopenia.
Often, herpetic hepatitis is a terminal condition
in AIDS.
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References No suitable text-book references.
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| Herpes virus infection
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| Synopsis by: T.V.Rajan, M.D., Ph.D. (T56000E32130)[497]
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