Abstract
Infection with hepatitis A virus is usually a self-limited illness that rarely results in fulminant liver failure. Severe hemolysis is an uncommon complication but has been reported in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Here, we report a case with undiagnosed G6PD deficiency who presented with hyperbilirubinemia, severe hemolysis, and acute renal failure precipitated by acute hepatitis A infection.
1. Introduction
Hepatitis A is one of the most frequent causes of foodborne infection, with an estimated 1.5 million cases each year [1]. Infection most commonly manifests with symptoms such as fever, malaise, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dark-colored urine, and jaundice. Acute hepatitis A is usually a self-resolving illness without chronic sequelae. Acute liver failure develops in approximately one percent of cases [2].
A mild to moderate degree of hemolysis is a known complication of acute viral hepatitis. In a few cases, patients may present with severe hemolysis, which is more frequent in patients with coexisting glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency [2–9]. It has been postulated that viral infection itself can cause severe hemolysis in a patient with G6PD deficiency. In addition, the administration of certain drugs and particular foods may aggravate the condition [2]. It has also been noted that G6PD deficiency impedes the repair of the damaged hepatocytes and can lead to fulminant hepatitis and liver failure in patients with acute viral hepatitis [10, 11]. Here, we describe a patient with undiagnosed G6PD deficiency who presented with hyperbilirubinemia, severe hemolysis, and acute renal failure precipitated by acute hepatitis A infection.
2. Case Report
A 55-year-old African American male with a medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic hepatitis B, and well-controlled HIV on ART presented to the hospital with a one-week history of fatigue, fever, myalgias, shortness of breath, and dark-colored urine. He denied any history of alcohol, illicit drug use, or family history of liver disease.
On physical exam, he had scleral icterus and mild lower abdominal pain without guarding, rebound, or rigidity. He was alert and oriented without focal deficit or asterixis. He had no ascites. Vital signs were within normal limits. Lab work was significant for creatinine at 6.38 mg/dL (0.7–1.3), BUN 48 mg/dL (7–18), total bilirubin 51.8 mg/dL (0.2–1), direct bilirubin 40.4 mg/dL (≤0.2), lactate dehydrogenase 2678 unit/L (87–241), haptoglobin <7.7 mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase 195 unit/L, AST 216 unit/L (15–37), ALT 6,244 unit/L (16–61), lactic acid 5.5 mmol/L (0.4–2), WBC 16.6 thou/mcL (4.2–10.2), hemoglobin 7.5 g/dL (12.8–16.4), platelet 344 × 103/microL (150–400), and INR 1.6 (0.8–1). His model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 40. Urine drug screen, acetaminophen, and alcohol level were negative. Serologic studies for Treponema pallidum, cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, and parvovirus were negative. Influenza and COVID-19 PCR were negative. The hepatitis panel was positive for hepatitis A IgM, hepatitis A total antibody, and hepatitis B core IgG antibody. Hepatitis C antibody, hepatitis E IgG/IgM, and HBV DNA were negative. His autoimmune markers including antinuclear antibody, antismooth muscle antibody, antimitochondrial antibody, and myeloperoxidase autoantibody were negative. Serum ceruloplasmin was also negative. Erythrocyte G6 PD level was normal due to acute hemolysis. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed normal appearing liver with nondilated bile ducts and patent hepatic vasculature. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed LVEF 60–65% with normal wall motion, no diastolic dysfunction, valvular disease, or thrombus.
The patient was treated empirically with antibiotics and intravenous fluids. Patient continued to be oliguric and hemodialysis was initiated. Peripheral smear showed fragmented erythrocytes, spherocytes, bite cells, and target cells indicative of hemolysis. Fibrinogen was normal, and Coomb’s test was negative. Liver biopsy showed cholestatic hepatitis with areas of resolving necrosis (Figure 1). Renal biopsy showed acute tubular injury with bilirubin and hemoglobin casts (Figure 2). The patient was initially listed for transplant but clinically improved with supportive measures alone. Over the next few weeks, patient’s liver functions test and hemolysis labs steadily improved (Figures 3 and 4). He was discharged to a rehab facility and has since followed up in our clinic. His most recent liver function tests, 3 months after hospitalization, are normal. Erythrocyte G6PD is 3.3 U/g Hb, confirming the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency. His renal function also improved, and he is no longer on dialysis.
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3. Discussion
Hepatitis A is the most common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide, generally causing a mild self-limited illness akin to other foodborne illnesses. Chronic sequelae are rare, and mortality related to hepatitis A accounts for only 0.5% of deaths secondary to viral hepatitis [10]. However, recent data suggest a dramatic increase in the number of outbreaks occurring worldwide. The recent CDC morbidity and mortality report warn of a considerable increase in hepatitis A in the United States, with cases climbing by 294% in 2016–2018 compared to the country’s nadir in 2013–2015 [12, 13]. Acute liver failure secondary to hepatitis A is rare, but with higher rates in older adults >40 years of age or those with chronic liver disease [10, 14]. Hemolytic anemia has been associated with viral hepatitis, but the degree is usually mild to moderate [3]. When the disease course is complicated by severe hemolysis, a diagnosis in addition to hepatitis should be sought out [3, 15]. A more common occurrence seemed to be the finding of underlying G6PD deficiency in patients who developed severe hemolysis [2–4, 6–9, 15].
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of severe hemolysis and renal failure precipitated by acute HAV in an undiagnosed G6PD deficient and HIV-positive patient in the United States. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. This X-linked hereditary defect impairs catalyzation of the first step in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is crucial for the production of NADPH, protecting cells from oxidative stress, and regenerating glutathione for reduction of reactive oxygen species [16, 17]. While usually a clinically silent disorder, certain stressors, including drugs (particularly primaquine or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), ingestion of food (fava beans, bitter melon, blueberries, and falafel), or viral infection can trigger an acute hemolytic crisis [18–20]. The global prevalence of the disorder is 4.9%, with African and Mediterranean descent at the highest risk [21], an estimated 10% of black Americans and as high as 70% of Kurdish Jews may carry the mutation [16].
Despite a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the African American population, there are no current universal screening guidelines for the disease. However, evidence suggests that these patients have a more complicated course when infected by hepatitis A than a non-G6PD deficient patient [3, 5, 22]. In a retrospective study by Gotsman and Muskat of patients with acute hepatitis A admitted between 1980 and 1999, those with G6PD deficiency demonstrated a more severe clinical course with severe hemolysis and higher bilirubin level [5]. It has been hypothesized that G6PD deficient hepatocytes have reduced levels of glutathione, thereby causing an accumulation of free radicals and delayed hepatocyte repair with viral insult. There is ongoing discussion regarding the utility of blood transfusions or plasmapheresis in cases with severe hemolysis to prevent long-standing complications including renal failure [8].
On review of literature, there are 80 cases related to viral hepatitis, and G6PD deficiency causing severe hemolysis has been reported (Table 1) [2–9, 23–35]. The patient’s median age was 19.5 years (IQR: 14.25–35). Among these patients, 32 had hepatitis A, 19 had hepatitis E, and 29 had unspecified viral hepatitis as a precipitating cause for severe hemolysis. 22.5% (18/80) of the patients had renal failure as a complication, and of that, 12 were treated with dialysis. One patient was treated with plasmapheresis. Of the 80 total patients, 72 (90%) made a full recovery, while 8 died of complications from renal/liver failure, seizures, sepsis, and cerebral hemorrhage. Our case was an immunocompromised patient with HIV treated with empiric antibiotics, blood transfusion, and hemodialysis with subsequent clinical improvement.
With a large population at risk and an alarming rise in acute HAV cases in the United States, it is of utmost importance for clinicians to be cognizant of typical and atypical features of the infection. Although most acute HAV cases will resolve with supportive care alone, those with underlying G6PD deficiency are at an increased risk for developing severe intravascular hemolysis, marked hyperbilirubinemia, and increased risk of developing acute renal failure. Oxidant medications and nephrotoxins should be avoided. Treatment is generally supportive, but corticosteroids and plasma exchange can be considered in certain instances [15]. We recommend the hepatitis A vaccine in all patients with underlying G6PD deficiency. Ultimately, a high clinical suspicion and early recognition of patients at risk for severe manifestations of viral hepatitis can alter the course of the disease and aid in preventing chronic sequelae.
4. Conclusions
While this may be the first reported case with an HIV-positive patient in the United States, the phenomenon is one that has been reported in foreign literature for decades. With a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency and an increased incidence of hepatitis A in the past few years, it is imperative for clinicians to be mindful of the potential complications to prevent chronic sequelae and adverse outcomes. In conclusion, intravascular hemolysis due to G6PD deficiency should be considered in patients with acute hepatitis A infection who present with marked hyperbilirubinemia and renal failure.
Abbreviations
| ART: | Antiretroviral therapy |
| ATN: | Acute tubular necrosis |
| G6PD: | Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase |
| HBV: | Hepatitis B virus |
| HIV: | Human immunodeficiency virus. |
Disclosure
This case report was presented at ACG 2020.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Authors’ Contributions
Drafting the case report and acquisition of available literature were carried out by Iman Abutineh, MD and Kyle Kreitman, DO. Drafting the case report and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content were carried out by Jiten P. Kothadia, MD. Histopathology images were provided and the manuscript was reviewed by Richa Jain, MD, Ian Clark MD. The manuscript was reviewed by Satheesh P. Nair, MD, Benedict J. Maliakkal, MD, and Bilal Ali, MD.