Acute Viral Hepatitis E Infection With Conjugated Hyperbilirubinemia In 9-Year Boy

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is most common among acute viral hepatitis (AVH) infections in developed countries. It is an enteric virus which usually causes a self-resolving hepatitis. We report the case of a 9-year old boy who presented with anorexia, fever, pain in abdomen and jaundice. Ultrasound revealed no signs of cholestasis. Laboratory findings revealed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, transaminitis, and bilirubinuria. There was no evidence of any autoimmune or metabolic disease, and routine viral serology was normal except for immunoglobulin M to HEV suggestive of acute origin of disease. The jaundice resolved slowly after a period of 2 months. Hepatitis E virus RNA was not detectable in the convalescent serum. This case is an example of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia seen in acute phase of viral hepatitis caused by HEV.