Acute HIV infection with presentations mimicking acalculous cholecystitis: A case report

Rationale:Acute retroviral syndrome is the symptomatic presentation of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which often manifests as a self-limited infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome and occurs 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to HIV. Atypical manifestations including hepatitis, meningitis, or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been reported. However, manifestations of acute acalculous cholecystitis during acute HIV infection are rarely reported.Patient concerns:A 30-year-old man with nausea and loose stools, followed by fever and abdominal pain at the right upper quadrant for 10 days.Diagnosis:Acute retroviral syndrome, complicated with acute acalculous cholecystitis.Interventions:Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was performed and treatment with co-formulated bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide was initiated upon HIV diagnosis.Outcomes:The patient''s symptoms improved after the drainage. The levels of liver enzyme including aspartate transaminase alanine aminotransferase decreased to a level within normal limits 1 month after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.Conclusion:Acalculous cholecystitis in combination with acute hepatitis could be manifestations of acute HIV infection. For individuals at risk of acquiring HIV infection who present with manifestations of acute acalculous cholecystitis, HIV testing should be considered.     

Acute viral cholecystitis due to hepatitis A virus infection

Acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is frequent in developing countries. Although some gallbladder abnormalities are defined during the course, an acute cholecystitis is extremely rare. We here report 2 additional cases of cholecystitis due to acute HAV infection and review the previously reported 2 cases. One of our patients was admitted with jaundice and a suspicious portal mass with a presumed diagnosis of cholagiocarcinoma. The other presented with jaundice, abdominal pain, and constitutional symptoms. Both patients were planned to be operated on. During the follow-up, absence of fever, leukocytosis, acute-phase protein response, and calculus in biliary system were against the diagnosis of a bacterial cholecystitis. Moreover the course of cholecystitis was closely parallel to that of the HAV infection. Both patients were managed conservatively. It was concluded that rare, acute viral cholecystitis can develop during the course of acute HAV infection.     

Ultrasonographic Gallbladder Abnormality of Primary Epstein–Barr Virus Infection in Children and Its Influence on Clinical Outcome

The incidence of pediatric acute inflammatory gallbladder (GB) disease without gallstone such as acute acalculous cholecystitis has increased with the development of improved diagnostic modalities. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is common in general population, only few cases of GB diseases caused by EBV infection have been reported. This study analyzed ultrasonographic characteristics of primary EBV infection in children and evaluated the influence of EBV-associated GB disease on clinical course and outcome of EBV infection.Between March 2004 and January 2013, 94 of 287 pediatric patients with EBV infection underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG); clinical features, laboratory data, and USG findings were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Of 94 children, ultrasonographic thick GB wall was observed in 24 (25.3%). Platelet counts were lower in the thickened GB wall group than in the normal GB wall thickness group (P = 0.004). Direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase levels were higher in the thickened GB wall group (P = 0.000, P = 0.041, and P = 0.001, respectively). The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with thickened GB wall (P = 0.043).Radiologic findings of acute acalculous inflammatory GB disease such as thickened GB wall caused by primary EBV infection are more common than previously reported. Consideration of EBV infection in the differential diagnosis of children suspected with acute acalculous GB diseases may avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.     

Acalculous cholecystitis: an uncommon form of presentation of Q fever

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a very rare clinical presentation of Q fever. We report the case of a 38-year-old man who presented with fever associated with elevation of liver enzyme levels and thickening of the gallbladder wall on abdominal ultrasonography and who was initially diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Due to the persistence of fever and transaminase elevation despite antibiotic treatment, a liver biopsy was performed. Characteristic "doughnut" epithelioid granulomas were observed, suggesting a diagnosis of granulomatous hepatitis caused by Q fever, which was confirmed by serological methods. Treatment with doxycycline was commenced and the patient subsequently showed rapid clinical improvement, with disappearance of fever and normalization of liver enzyme levels. We review 8 cases of acute cholecystitis associated with Q fever published in the literature and stress the importance of liver biopsy in the etiological diagnosis of patients with prolonged fever and abnormal liver function tests.     

Infectious factors in acute acalculous cholecystitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The infection is shown as a secondary phenomenon in lithiasic acute cholecystitis. However, its importance in acute gallbladder inflammation without lithiasis has not been sufficiently clarified. In this context, we tried to investigate this issue by resorting to animal research. Similarly we studied the repercussions of Diclofenac (NSAID) in bacteriological features of the bile in the operated animals. METHODOLOGY: We provoked acute cholecystitis in pigs by the ligature of biliary pedicle associated to the gallbladder introduction of "Lysophosphatidylcoline". Two series of animals were used: P1 (pigs not treated with Diclofenac) with 17 pigs and P2 (pigs treated with Diclofenac) with 23. In the latter group we associated the administration of Diclofenac given before the production of acute cholecystitis and administered for 4 days. The microbiology of the bile was studied in 34 pigs. The following parameters were valorized: histological gallbladder lesions and microorganisms in bacteriological examination of the bile. RESULTS: Severe lesions of acute cholecystitis were registered in 82.3% of the animals. Positive bile cultures were registered in 64.1% of group P1 and 65.5% in the group P2. The simultaneous administration of Diclofenac in the P2 group did not cause a regression of gallbladder lesions or in microbial agents in the bile in relation to the first group (P = 0.649, and P = 0.781, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations allow us to conclude by valorization the infection factor in acute acalculous cholecystitis. On the other hand, the absence of repercussion of Diclofenac in acute acalculous cholecystitis was demonstrated not only in histological gallbladder lesions, but also in bile infection.     

Dengue fever with acute acalculous cholecystitis

Dengue fever (DF) with acute acalculous cholecystitis is rarely reported. To investigate the incidence, treatment, and prognosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in DF patients, we retrospectively studied 10 patients with DF and acute acalculous cholecystitis. From October 2001 to July 2002, 131 patients were diagnosed with DF. Ten of 131 DF patients (7.63%) had complications of acute acalculous cholecystitis. Two patients underwent cholecystectomy and one underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage due to poor resolution of acute acalculous cholecystitis. We found acute acalculous cholecystitis in a small proportion of patients with DF. In our experience, closely monitoring vital signs to avoid shock and correct thrombocytopenia to avoid bleeding could be adequate for most patients. In some cases, surgical treatment may be needed for DF fever patients with complications of diffuse peritonitis.     

Acute granulomatous schistosomal cholecystitis

Schistosomal cholecystitis is a rare entity with less than 10 cases described in the medical literature [1-3]. It is unclear whether schistosomal eggs deposited in the wall of the gallbladder trigger a clinically manifest acute cholecystitis, since most of the cases described were also found to have concomitant gallstones. Herein, we report a patient who developed acute schistosomal granulomatous acalculous cholecystitis. The clinical presentation, chronology of events and pathological findings strongly support the association between cholecystitis and schistosomal infection.     

Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Mimicking Drug-Induced Hepatitis in a Critically ill Patient During Antituberculosis Therapy

Introduction:

Although hepatitis is frequently observed during antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy, acute viral hepatitis should be ruled out first, especially in the endemic areas. In addition to common types of viral hepatitis, ie, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may result in hepatitis in some cases.

Case Presentation:

Herein, we reported a critically ill patient who developed cholestatic hepatitis in the intensive care unit during the anti-TB therapy, which was misdiagnosed as anti-TB agents-induced hepatitis in the beginning. Further serologic tests and liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of EBV hepatitis. In contrast to previously reported hepatitis by EBV, which had presented with transient liver dysfunction and self-limiting illness, hepatitis with progressive jaundice was followed by coagulopathy and encephalopathy in our case and the patient died of hepatic failure complications.

Conclusions:

According to the presented case and subsequent literature review on fatal EBV hepatitis, clinicians should consider EBV infection in the differential diagnosis when hepatitis occurs in critically ill patients during the anti-TB therapy. Although hepatitis caused by EBV is mostly self-limited, some might be fetal.     

Relapse of acute leukemia presenting as acute cholecystitis following bone marrow transplantation.

Though included in the differential diagnosis of jaundice and abdominal pain, acute acalculous cholecystitis is an uncommon hepatobiliary complication of bone marrow transplantation. Leukemic infiltration of the gallbladder presenting as acute cholecystitis is rare. We describe two cases of acute cholecystitis following marrow transplantation that represented an unexpected relapse with leukemic infiltration of the gallbladder wall.     

Acalculous cholecystitis due to Salmonella enteritidis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis （AAC） is defined as an acute inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of stones. We herein report a case of a young man who developed AAC after a Salmonella enteritidis gastrointestinal infection.     

Infectious diseases and the gallbladder

Infections of the gastrointestinal tract can often involve the gallbladder. Infection probably plays a role in the formation of gallstones but is more commonly thought to contribute to acute illness in patients. Acute calculous cholecystitis caused by an impacted gallstone is often complicated by secondary bacterial infection and is a major cause of morbidity and even mortality in patients. A wide variety of organisms can be associated with acute acalculous cholecystitis, a less common but potentially more severe form of acute cholecystitis. This review focuses on infections and their role in the above-mentioned processes involving the gallbladder.     

The role of prostaglandins E and F in acalculous gallbladder disease

Prostaglandins have been postulated to be involved in the formation of gallstones and the pain and inflammation of calculous gallbladder disease. This report evaluated prostaglandin E and F levels in patients with acalculous gallbladder disease. Control gallbladders were obtained from patients undergoing cholecystectomy during insertion of hepatic artery catheters for regional, hepatic chemotherapy. Patients without gallstones and with long-standing post-prandial biliary colic with abnormal cholecystokinin administration underwent cholecystectomy for chronic acalculous cholecystitis. A third group of patients underwent cholecystectomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis. Gallbladder mucosa and muscle were separated, and prostaglandin E and F concentrations in mucosal and muscle or mucosa were identified in gallbladders from patients with chronic acalculous cholecystitis compared to gallbladders from patients without biliary tract symptoms. In gallbladders from patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis a seven-fold increase in PGE production by muscle tissue and mucosal cells was found. The more histologically inflamed gallbladders had higher mucosal and muscle prostaglandin E concentrations than were found in less inflamed gallbladders. Prostaglandin F levels were not significantly changed or were decreased, resulting in a significant increase in the ratio of PGE/PGF in acutely diseased gallbladders when compared to normal gallbladders. Prostaglandin E may be a manipulatable intermediary in the sequence of events that results in the development of acute acalculous cholecystitis.     

Utility and accuracy of ultrasonically measured gallbladder wall as a diagnostic criteria in biliary tract disease

Biliary tract sonography has achieved wide acceptance as a screening test for chronic calculous disease. However, the clinical usefullness of biliary sonography is limited by the inability of this test to identify patients with acalculous cholecystitis or to separate patients with calculous cholecystitis from those with asymptomatic calculi. A prospective blinded study of 106 patients undergoing cholecystectomy was performed to determine if, cholecystosonography could visualize the gallbladder wall accurately and to evaluate gallbladder wall thickening as a predictor of disease. Of these patients, 88 had a sonographically visible gallbladder wall and in 95% of the patients the ultrasonic and direct surgical measurements of the gallbladder wall agreed within 1 mm. To determine the sonographic size range of gallbladder wall thickness in the normal population, the width of the gallbladder wall in the fasting state was measured in 100 patients without biliary tract disease. One percent of the normal population had thickened gallbladder walls, in contrast to 96% of the patients with acute calculous or acalculous cholecystitis. Gallbladder wall thickness appears to be an accurate noninvasive technique for diagnosing patients with acute calculous and acalculous cholecystitis in the absence of other entities which thicken the gallbladder wall such as ascites and hypoproteinemic states.     

Gallbladder involvement of Henoch-Schönlein purpura mimicking acute acalculous cholecystitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We report the case of a 53-year-old man with fever and severe abdominal pain following an upper respiratory tract infection. METHODS/RESULTS: The clinical signs, the laboratory markers, and the ultrasound findings were consistent with acute acalculous cholecystitis and he underwent cholecystectomy. Histologically the gallbladder showed vasculitis and the patient developed postoperatively a purpuric rash of the legs with transient ankle arthritis. Gastroscopy revealed prepyloric ulcers consistent with vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed as having Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura. Gastric ulcers as well as arthritis disappeared upon treatment with corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Taken together, Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura can mimic acute cholecystitis and should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.     

Spontaneous biliary peritonitis in acalculous cholecystitis: fact or misdiagnosis?

It is often speculated that an inflamed gallbladder weeps bile to produce bile peritonitis. This may be so, but more likely the problem is a peritoneal effusion in a jaundiced patient which thus resembles bile. So-called "spontaneous or idiopathic biliary peritonitis" in acute acalculous cholecystitis without a proven cause is a further example of this very rare condition. Spontaneous perforations of the extrahepatic biliary ductal system associated with acalculous cholecystitis are uncommon albeit reported in adults. Most patients present with an acute abdomen and are operated upon urgently without diagnostic iter. A recent experience with such a case prompted a thorough review of 27 similar cases previously reported.     

Cholescintigraphy in Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a relatively rare but potentially lethal condition if not treated promptly. Since stones are not present, diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound or other radiological procedures are frequently not helpful. Tc-99m iminodiacetic acid scan results were analyzed in 11 proven cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis. All had positive tests with nonvisualization of the gallbladder giving a sensitivity of 100%. Tc-99m iminodiacetic acid cholescintigraphy is a highly reliable test and is easily performed even in acutely ill patients and should be the test of choice in all patients predisposed to and suspected of acute acalculous cholecystitis.     

A case of acute cholecystitis without cholestasis caused by Epstein–Barr virus in a healthy young woman

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is known to be one of the causes of viral hepatitis, but its association with cholecystitis is known to be rare. Cholestasis by EBV-induced hepatitis might be a cause of acute cholecystitis in all of the recently reported cases. In contrast, we experienced the case of a 20-year-old woman who was infected with EBV and presented with acute cholecystitis without cholestasis.     

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children

Acute acalculous cholecystitis(AAC) is the inflammatory disease of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. AAC is estimated to represent at least 50% to 70% of all cases of acute cholecystitis during childhood. Although this pathology was originally described in critically ill or post-surgical patients, most pediatric cases have been observed during several infectious diseases. In addition to cases caused by bacterial and parasitic infections, most pediatric reports after 2000 described children developing AAC during viral illnesses(such as Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis A virus infections). Moreover, some pediatric cases have been associated with several underlying chronic diseases and, in particular, with immune-mediated disorders. Here, we review the epidemiological aspects of pediatric AAC, and we discuss etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management, according to the cases reported in the medical literature.     

Autoimmune hepatitis type-2 and Epstein-Barr virus infection in a toddler: art of facts or an artifact?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause frequently asymptomatic (or anicteric) and self-limited hepatitis, while occasionally may result in considerable cholestatic hepatitis. Herein, we describe the case of a previously healthy toddler (26 month old girl) with prolonged cholestasis, elevated serum transaminases, EBV serology compatible with recent EBV infection and positive anti liver kidney microsomal antibody type 1 which is characteristic of new-onset autoimmune hepatitis type 2. Liver biopsy was also typical of autoimmune hepatitis as attested by the presence of portal inflammation with predominant T-lymphocytes and plasma cells and interface hepatitis. Persistent EBV-related hepatitis was excluded by the absence of viral inclusions and steatosis on liver specimens and negative liver EBV-PCR. In conclusion, our case strongly suggests that in children with prolonged cholestatic hepatitis, positive EBV serology cannot exclude the presence of other causes of liver disease. In this context, autoimmune hepatitis should be considered as an alternate diagnosis, particularly when there is specific liver-related autoantibody detection. In such conditions, liver biopsy seems mandatory in an attempt to achieve a correct and timely diagnosis of a potentially catastrophic disease as autoimmune hepatitis. Although some cases of autoimmune hepatitis type 1 following EBV infection have been reported in adults, to the best of our knowledge, the present case of autoimmune hepatitis type 2 after EBV infection represents the first case in children ever reported in the English literature.     

Allergic granulomatosis and angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) presenting as acute acalculous cholecystitis

A patient with bronchial asthma and hypereosinophilia developed acute acalculous cholecystitis. Histopathologic study of the surgically removed gallbladder revealed allergic granulomatosis and angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome). Allergic granulomatosis and angiitis having acute acalculous cholecystitis as an initial manifestation is rare. It should be recognized that acute acalculous cholecystitis may be the initial sign of a systemic vasculitis, specifically allergic granulomatosis and angiitis.