Acute viral hepatitis and liver failure [Akute Virushepatitis und Leberversagen]

Viral hepatitis is one of the key causes for acute liver failure (ALF) worldwide. Although most cases related to acute viral hepatitis are asymptomatic or mild in the clinical presentation, a significant proportion end in fulminant liver failure leading to a high mortality. Acute infections with hepatitis A, B, D and E virus may lead to acute liver failure. In addition, other atypical infections can rarely cause ALF, whereas acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) virtually never causes ALF. Acute on chronic liver failure is generally associated with a poor prognosis. Reactivation of HBV infection under certain immunosuppressive conditions is an increasing problem. Liver transplantation represents the only therapeutic option for most virally induced cases of ALF. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.