ABSTRACT
Psychosis, a relatively common condition that affects 3%-5% percent of the population, occurs in a variety of diagnostic contexts. Various medical conditions may lead to the development of psychotic symptoms. To date psychotic disorders due to infection with hepatitis A virus [HAV] have been rarely reported. In this paper, we described an acute psychotic disorder in an 18-year-old male diagnosed with hepatitis A infection . He presented with complaints nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation and abdominal pain of a one week duration. The patient denied a history of substance abuse. Neurological evaluation was normal. Brain CT scan was remarkable for suspicious hyperdense lesions in the basal ganglia, however the EEG was normal. He had visual hallucinations, persecutor/ delusion, disorganized behavior, personality changes, sleep disturbances, and disorganized speech. A psychiatrist diagnosed the patient with psychotic disorder due to HAV and treated him with antipsychotic medications. Following the decline in liver enzyme levels and after several days, the patient became clinically well with regression of his psychiatric signs and schizophrenia-like symptoms. We believe this may be the first reported case of an acute psychotic disorder during active HAV infection. Based on the data we have collected from several references we conclude that the most probable reason for this accompaniment is a type of comorbidity between acute psychotic disorder and HAV infection