Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

Fatal adenovirus hepatitis during maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Steiner I, Aebi C, Ridolfi Lüthy A, Wagner B, Leibundgut K

Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

Disseminated adenoviral infection with hepatitis is rare in children undergoing standard chemotherapy. We report on a 3(1/2)-year-old male with fatal adenovirus hepatitis receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Adenoviral hepatitis was proven by histology, viral culture, and PCR in a liver biopsy. Quantitative real-time PCR in the peripheral blood showed adenoviral DNA copy number >10(9)/ml. Despite aggressive supportive care and antiviral treatment with cidofovir, the patient died rapidly due to fulminant liver failure. Diagnostic and treatment options for adenovirus infection remain unsatisfactory for these patients. We propose suggestions for diagnosis and therapy.

Published 15 January 2008 in Pediatr Blood Cancer, 50(3): 647-9.
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