Use of nucleoside (tide) analogues in patients with hepatitis B-related acute liver failure

Successful results of early nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment for liver transplantation candidates with severe acute hepatitis B infection

BACKGROUND

Early treatment of severe acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with nucleos(t)ide analogues may prevent progression to acute liver failure (ALF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The charts of 24 patients who were treated for severe acute HBV infection (either INR ≥ 1.5 or INR≥ 1.4 and total bilirubin ≥ 20 mg/dL at the referring institution or after admission) between April 2021 and May 2023 (inclusive) were evaluated retrospectively. Twelve patients were women; median [range] age: 48 [35-68]. Entecavir (0.5 mg/day) (n = 16) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (245 mg/day) (n =8) were used depending on availability.

RESULTS

Two patients required liver transplant which was performed successfully in one (no suitable donor for the other). Deterioration to ALF was prevented in 22 of the 24 cases (92%); these patients could be discharged after median (range) 12 (5-24) days following initiation of the antiviral drug. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the two antiviral agents. The anti-HBsAg antibody became positive in 16 patients (73%); one other patient became HBsAg negative at 1 month after discharge but was lost to follow up. Five patients (23%) are still HBsAg positive but all except one have started treatment in the last 6 months. One of the recently treated 4 patients stopped taking the antiviral drug at his own will and one has become anti-HIV antibody positive during follow up.

CONCLUSION

Early treatment of severe acute HBV infection with entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prevents the need for liver transplant and consideration of living donors.

Acute liver failure in low-income and middle-income countries

Acute liver failure is a rare condition involving the rapid development, progression, and worsening of liver dysfunction, characterised by coagulopathy and encephalopathy, and has a high mortality unless liver transplantation is performed. Population-based studies are scarce, and most published data are from high-income countries, where the main cause of acute liver failure is paracetamol overdose. This Review provides an overview of the scanty literature on acute liver failure in low-income and middle-income countries, where patients are often admitted to primary care hospitals and viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis E), tropical infections (eg, dengue), traditional medicines, and drugs (especially anti-tuberculosis drugs) have an important role. We discuss incidence, cause, occurrence in children and pregnant women, prognostic factors and scores, treatment, and mortality. To conclude, we advocate for international collaboration, the establishment of central registries for the condition, and better diagnostics.

Future directions in acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) describes a clinical syndrome of rapid hepatocyte injury leading to liver failure manifested by coagulopathy and encephalopathy in the absence of pre-existing cirrhosis. The hallmark diagnostic features are a prolonged prothrombin time (ie, an international normalized ratio of prothrombin time of ≥1.5) and any degree of mental status alteration (HE). As a rare, orphan disease, it seemed an obvious target for a multicenter network. The Acute Liver Failure Study Group (ALFSG) began in 1997 to more thoroughly study and understand the causes, natural history, and management of ALF. Over the course of 22 years, 3364 adult patients were enrolled in the study registry (2614 ALF and 857 acute liver injury-international normalized ratio 2.0 but no encephalopathy-ALI) and >150,000 biosamples collected, including serum, plasma, urine, DNA, and liver tissue. Within the Registry study sites, 4 prospective substudies were conducted and published, 2 interventional ( N -acetylcysteine and ornithine phenylacetate), 1 prognostic [ 13 C-methacetin breath test (MBT)], and 1 mechanistic (rotational thromboelastometry). To review ALFSG's accomplishments and consider next steps, a 2-day in-person conference was held at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, entitled "Acute Liver Failure: Science and Practice," in May 2022. To summarize the important findings in the field, this review highlights the current state of understanding of ALF and, more importantly, asks what further studies are needed to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis, natural history, and management of this unique and dramatic condition.

Acute Liver Failure Guidelines

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare, acute, potentially reversible condition resulting in severe liver impairment and rapid clinical deterioration in patients without preexisting liver disease. Due to the rarity of this condition, published studies are limited by the use of retrospective or prospective cohorts and lack of randomized controlled trials. Current guidelines represent the suggested approach to the identification, treatment, and management of ALF and represent the official practice recommendations of the American College of Gastroenterology. The scientific evidence was reviewed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation process to develop recommendations. When no robust evidence was available, expert opinions were summarized using Key Concepts. Considering the variety of clinical presentations of ALF, individualization of care should be applied in specific clinical scenarios.

Issues of intensive care and liver transplantation tactics in fulminant liver failure

Fulminant liver failure is usually characterized as severe acute liver injury with encephalopathy and synthetic dysfunction (international normalized ratio [INR] ≥1.5) in a patient without cirrhosis or previous liver disease. Management of patients with acute liver failure includes ensuring that the patient is cared for appropriately, monitoring for worsening liver failure, managing complications, and providing nutritional support. Patients with acute liver failure should be treated at a liver transplant center whenever possible. Serial laboratory tests are used to monitor the course of a patient's liver failure and to monitor for complications. It is necessary to monitor the level of aminotransferases and bilirubin in serum daily. More frequent monitoring (three to four times a day) of blood coagulation parameters, complete blood count, metabolic panels, and arterial blood gases should be performed. For some causes of acute liver failure, such as acetaminophen intoxication, treatment directed at the underlying cause may prevent the need for liver transplantation and reduce mortality. Lactulose has not been shown to improve overall outcomes, and it can lead to intestinal distention, which can lead to technical difficulties during liver transplantation. Early in acute liver failure, signs and symptoms of cerebral edema may be absent or difficult to detect. Complications of cerebral edema include increased intracranial pressure and herniation of the brain stem. General measures to prevent increased intracranial pressure include minimizing stimulation, maintaining an appropriate fluid balance, and elevating the head of the patient's bed. For patients at high risk of developing cerebral edema, we also offer hypertonic saline prophylaxis (3%) with a target serum sodium level of 145 to 155 mEq/L (level 2C). High-risk patients include patients with grade IV encephalopathy, high ammonia levels (>150 µmol/L), or acute renal failure, and patients requiring vasopressor support. Approximately 40 % of patients with acute liver failure recover spontaneously with supportive care. Predictive models have been developed to help identify patients who are unlikely to recover spontaneously, as the decision to undergo liver transplant depends in part on the likelihood of spontaneous recovery of the liver. However, among those who receive a transplant, the one-year survival rate exceeds 80 %, making this treatment the treatment of choice in this difficult patient population.

Clinical Conundrum of Acute Hepatitis B With Concurrent Hepatitis E Infection Leading to Severe Acute Liver Injury

Acute liver injury in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can occur both during primary infection and after chronic HBV reactivation. Guidelines recommend considering antiviral therapy in both cases. Antiviral therapy with a nucleoside analog may be beneficial in patients with acute liver failure from acute HBV infection, though not all studies have shown a benefit. This is a case of a 53-year-old woman with a past medical history of untreated hepatitis C with undetectable viral load and right breast cancer status post lumpectomy, who presented to the emergency department with complaints of yellowish skin and sclera discoloration with right upper quadrant pain for one week. She was a known intravenous drug abuser and binge alcohol user. Her labs were positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis E, and hepatitis C viruses. She also had elevated liver enzymes with hyperbilirubinemia showing severe acute liver injury. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast was normal, and the abdominal ultrasound showed homogenous echotexture of the liver without a focal lesion. The patient was diagnosed with acute fulminant hepatitis B. After initial hemodynamic stabilization, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and tenofovir were started, and transaminases were followed. Liver function tests showed a downtrend, and, in a few weeks, they came to baseline. Hepatitis B viral load became undetectable as well. Acute hepatitis B infection is seldom treated. The presented case depicts the use of tenofovir in the setting of severe acute liver injury due to hepatitis B. Starting antiviral therapy (especially tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) early in the disease course was shown to have very assuring results with complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of liver function tests. The treatment protocol for acute HBV deserves further investigation.

Management of Acute Liver Failure: Update 2022

Abbreviated pathogenesis and clinical course of the acute liver failure syndrome. The pathogenesis and clinical course of the syndrome of acute liver failure (ALF) differs depending upon the etiology of the primary liver injury. In turn, the severity of the liver injury and resulting synthetic failure is often the primary determinant of whether a patient is referred for emergency liver transplantation. Injuries by viral etiologies trigger the innate immune system via pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), while toxin-induced (and presumably ischemia-induced) injuries do so via damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The course of the clinical syndrome further depends upon the relative intensity and composition of cytokine release, resulting in an early proinflammatory phenotype (SIRS) and later compensatory anti-inflammatory response phenotype (CARS). The outcomes of overwhelming immune activation are the systemic (extrahepatic) features of ALF (cardiovascular collapse, cerebral edema, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, sepsis) which ultimately determine the likelihood of death.Acute liver failure (ALF) continues to carry a high risk of mortality or the need for transplantation despite recent improvements in overall outcomes over the past two decades. Optimal management begins with identifying that liver failure is indeed present and its etiology, since outcomes and the need for transplantation vary widely across the different etiologies. Most causes of ALF can be divided into hyperacute (ischemia and acetaminophen) and subacute types (other etiologies), based on time of evolution of signs and symptoms of liver failure; the former evolve in 3 to 4 days and the latter typically in 2 to 4 weeks. Both involve intense release of cytokines and hepatocellular contents into the circulation with multiorgan effects/consequences.Management involves optimizing fluid balance and cardiovascular support, including the use of continuous renal replacement therapy, vasopressors, and pulmonary ventilation. Early evaluation for liver transplantation is advised particularly for acetaminophen toxicity, which evolves so rapidly that delay is likely to lead to death.Vasopressor support, high-grade hepatic encephalopathy, and unfavorable (subacute) etiologies heighten the need for urgent listing for liver transplantation. Prognostic scores such as Kings Criteria, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, and the Acute Liver Failure Group prognostic index take these features into account and provide reasonable but imperfect predictive accuracy. Future treatments may include liver support devices and/or agents that improve hepatocyte regeneration.

Prognostic Nomogram for Patients with Hepatitis E Virus-related Acute Liver Failure: A Multicenter Study in China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Timely and effective assessment scoring systems for predicting the mortality of patients with hepatitis E virus-related acute liver failure (HEV-ALF) are urgently needed. The present study aimed to establish an effective nomogram for predicting the mortality of HEV-ALF patients.

METHODS

The nomogram was based on a cross-sectional set of 404 HEV-ALF patients who were identified and enrolled from a cohort of 650 patients with liver failure. To compare the performance with that of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scoring and CLIF-Consortium-acute-on-chronic liver failure score (CLIF-C-ACLFs) models, we assessed the predictive accuracy of the nomogram using the concordance index (C-index), and its discriminative ability using time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (td-ROC) analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the development set carried out to predict mortality revealed that γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin, total bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, international normalized ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were independent factors, all of which were incorporated into the new nomogram to predict the mortality of HEV-ALF patients. The area under the curve of this nomogram for mortality prediction was 0.671 (95% confidence interval: 0.602-0.740), which was higher than that of the MELD and CLIF-C-ACLFs models. Moreover, the td-ROC and decision curves analysis showed that both discriminative ability and threshold probabilities of the nomogram were superior to those of the MELD and CLIF-C-ACLFs models. A similar trend was observed in the validation set.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel nomogram is an accurate and efficient mortality prediction method for HEV-ALF patients.

Acute liver failure

Acute liver failure is a rare and severe consequence of abrupt hepatocyte injury, and can evolve over days or weeks to a lethal outcome. A variety of insults to liver cells result in a consistent pattern of rapid-onset elevation of aminotransferases, altered mentation, and disturbed coagulation. The absence of existing liver disease distinguishes acute liver failure from decompensated cirrhosis or acute-on-chronic liver failure. Causes of acute liver failure include paracetamol toxicity, hepatic ischaemia, viral and autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-induced liver injury from prescription drugs, and herbal and dietary supplements. Diagnosis requires careful review of medications taken, and serological testing for possible viral exposure. Because of its rarity, acute liver failure has not been studied in large, randomised trials, and most treatment recommendations represent expert opinion. Improvements in management have resulted in lower mortality, although liver transplantation, used in nearly 30% of patients with acute liver failure, still provides a life-saving alternative to medical management.

Management of Fulminant Hepatitis B

Purpose of Review

Acute HBV infection and acute exacerbations of chronic HBV infection can cause acute liver injury (ALI) or fulminant hepatitis (FH). At this stage, spontaneous survival is poor, less than 25%. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of specific management of patients with HBV-ALI/FH.

Recent Findings

Acute HBVinfection and acute exacerbations of chronic HBVinfection can cause acute liver injury (ALI) or fulminant hepatitis (FH). Spontaneous survival at this stage is poor. It is urgent to distinguish between these two entities so that antiviral therapy can be initiated rapidly. Although the indications for antiviral therapy are clear for HBV reactivation, there is no true consensus regarding ALI/FH related to acute HBV infection. The global management of HBV-related FH does not differ from that implemented for other causes of FH, i.e. close cardiorespiratory and neurological monitoring, treatment with acetylcysteine, organ support in the event of organ failure (haemodynamic, renal, respiratory) and albumin dialysis. Liver transplantation remains the only alternative when certain criteria for a poor prognosis are met. A recurrence of HBV infection on the graft can be prevented post-transplant by the administration of HBIG and antiviral therapy for HBV, the modalities varying depending on the risk of recurrence.

Critical Care Viral Infections

Viral infections are a common cause of critical illness, particularly of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Most are managed by supportive care alone. Early identification is critical to proper care to facilitate antimicrobial de-escalation. A small subset of viruses has directed treatment, and critical care providers should be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of influenza, herpes simplex meningoencephalitis, and viral hepatitis. Antivirals can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with each of these illnesses.

Early Combination Therapy with Corticosteroid and Nucleoside Analogue Induces Rapid Resolution of Inflammation in Acute Liver Failure due to Transient Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Objective Patients with acute hepatitis B sometimes develop acute liver failure (ALF), which has a poor prognosis. The efficacy of nucleoside analogue (NA) monotherapy for ALF due to transient hepatitis B virus infection (HBV-ALF) remains controversial. Further investigations are necessary in nations with a shortage of donor livers for liver transplantation. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the efficacy of combination therapy with corticosteroid (CS) and NA in the treatment HBV-ALF. Patients We examined the clinical and biochemical features of 19 patients with HBV-ALF who were treated in the early stage of the disease between 2000 and 2015. Results Fourteen patients received CS and NA (CS + NA group) and 5 received NA monotherapy (NA group). Eleven patients (58%) survived and 8 (42%) died. The survival rates in the CS + NA and NA groups were 64% and 40%, respectively (p=0.60). The mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels declined significantly at week 2 in both groups. The mean PT activities improved significantly at weeks 1 and 2 in the CS + NA group (p<0.05) but not in the NA group. None of the surviving patients developed persistent infection. Conclusion Combination therapy with CS and NA induces the rapid resolution of inflammation leading to a rapid recovery of the liver function. When it is administered at a sufficiently early stage, it would have a survival benefit and prevent persistent infection in HBV-ALF.

Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition of heterogeneous etiology. Outcomes are better with early recognition and prompt initiation of etiology-specific therapy, intensive care protocols, and liver transplantation (LT). Prognostic scoring systems include the King's College Criteria and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score. Cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension are reasons for high morbidity and mortality; hypertonic saline is suggested for patients with a high risk for developing intracranial hypertension, and when it does, mannitol is recommended as first-line therapy. Extracorporeal liver support system may serve as a bridge to LT and may increase LT-free survival in select cases.

EASL Clinical Practical Guidelines on the management of acute (fulminant) liver failure

The term acute liver failure (ALF) is frequently applied as a generic expression to describe patients presenting with or developing an acute episode of liver dysfunction. In the context of hepatological practice, however, ALF refers to a highly specific and rare syndrome, characterised by an acute abnormality of liver blood tests in an individual without underlying chronic liver disease. The disease process is associated with development of a coagulopathy of liver aetiology, and clinically apparent altered level of consciousness due to hepatic encephalopathy. Several important measures are immediately necessary when the patient presents for medical attention. These, as well as additional clinical procedures will be the subject of these clinical practice guidelines.

Long term follow-up and outcome of liver transplantation from hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors

Liver transplant for hepatitis B virus (HBV) currently yields excellent outcomes: it allows to rescue patients with an HBV-related advanced liver disease, resulting in a demographical modification of the waiting list for liver transplant. In an age of patient-tailored treatments, in liver transplantation as well the aim is to offer the best suitable graft to the patient who can benefit from it, also expanding the criteria for organ acceptance and allocation. With the intent of developing strategies to increase the donor pool, we set-up a multicenter study involving 3 Liver Transplant Centers in Italy: patients undergoing liver transplantation between March 03, 2004, and May 21, 2010, were retrospectively evaluated. 1408 patients underwent liver transplantation during the study period, 28 (2%) received the graft from hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg)-positive deceased donors. The average follow-up after liver transplantation was 63.7 mo [range: 0.1-119.4; SD ± 35.8]. None Primary non-function, re-liver transplantation, early or late hepatic artery thrombosis occurred. The 1-, 3- and 5-year graft and patient survival resulted of 85.7%, 82.1%, 78.4%. Our results suggest that the use of HBsAg-positive donors liver grafts is feasible, since HBV can be controlled without affecting graft stability. However, the selection of grafts and the postoperative antiviral therapy should be managed appropriately.

Acute Liver Failure: Diagnosis and Management

Acute liver failure is life threatening liver injury with coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy within 26 weeks and generally, in the absence of preexisting liver disease. Fulminant liver failure occurs when hepatic encephalopathy occurs within 8 weeks of jaundice. The majority of patients with ALF are women with the median age of 38 years. In the United States, drug induced liver injury including acetaminophen causes the majority of ALF cases. The etiology of ALF should be determined, if possible, because many causes have a specific treatment. The mainstay for ALF is supportive care and liver transplantation, if necessary. There are multiple prognostic criteria available. Prognosis can be poor and patients should be referred to a liver transplantation center as soon as possible.

Characteristics, Diagnosis and Prognosis of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Cirrhosis Associated to Hepatitis B

The diagnostic and prognostic criteria of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) were developed in patients with no Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis (CANONIC study). The aims of this study were to evaluate whether the diagnostic (CLIF-C organ failure score; CLIF-C OFs) criteria can be used to classify patients; and the prognostic score (CLIF-C ACLF score) could be used to provide prognostic information in HBV cirrhotic patients with ACLF. 890 HBV associated cirrhotic patients with acute decompensation (AD) were enrolled. Using the CLIF-C OFs, 33.7% (300 patients) were diagnosed as ACLF. ACLF was more common in the younger patients and in those with no previous history of decompensation. The most common organ failures were ‘hepatic’ and ‘coagulation’. As in the CANONIC study, 90-day mortality was extremely low in the non-ACLF patients compared with ACLF patients (4.6% vs 50%, p < 0.0001). ACLF grade and white cell count, were independent predictors of mortality. CLIF-C ACLFs accurately predicted short-term mortality, significantly better than the MELDs and a disease specific score generated for the HBV patients. Current study indicates that ACLF is a clinically and pathophysiology distinct even in HBV patients. Consequently, diagnostic criteria, prognostic scores and probably the management of ACLF should base on similar principles.

Lipid dysregulation in hepatitis C virus, and impact of statin therapy upon clinical outcomes

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and the leading indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Every aspect of the HCV life cycle is closely tied to human lipid metabolism. The virus circulates as a lipid-rich particle, utilizing lipoprotein cell receptors to gain entry into the hepatocyte. It has also been shown to upregulate lipid biosynthesis and impair lipid degradation, resulting in significant intracellular lipid accumulation and circulating hypocholesterolemia. Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are at increased risk of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease including accelerated atherosclerosis. HMG CoA Reductase inhibitors, or statins, have been shown to play an important role in the modulation of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and recent attention has focused upon their potential therapeutic role in CHC. This article reviews the hepatitis C viral life cycle as it impacts host lipoproteins and lipid metabolism. It then describes the pathogenesis of HCV-related hepatic steatosis, hypocholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and finally describes the promising anti-viral and anti-fibrotic effects of statins, for the treatment of CHC.

Therapy of acute and fulminant hepatitis B

Although new hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are decreasing due to improving vaccination coverage, patients without vaccination coverage can still suffer from manifestation of acute hepatitis B with jaundice and (although rarely) liver failure. No treatment is indicated for mild acute hepatitis B; however, antiviral therapy should be initiated for patients showing signs of significant liver impairment as exemplified by deterioration of prothrombin time to an equivalent of 1.5 or 50% of the 'Quick test'. For fulminant hepatitis, there is no complete agreement on whether antiviral treatment would alter the course, but it should still be started, as it would reduce the risk of reinfection in case there is a need for liver transplantation. Patients in danger of progression towards acute liver failure should be referred to transplant centers as early as possible.

Management of hepatitis B virus-related acute liver failure

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most important cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in Eastern countries. HBV-related ALF may occur after acute HBV infection (A-ALF) or during acute exacerbation (flare) of chronic HBV infection (C-ALF). C-ALF may occur spontaneously or as a result of the effect of immunosuppression due to chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressive agents. The definition of HBV-related ALF is uncertain, because different diagnostic criteria are used in C-ALF, which may present as acute-on-chronic liver failure. Although the pathogenesis differs in the two subgroups of ALF, the symptoms and biochemical parameters can be similar. High titers of immunoglobulin M hepatitis B core antibody and lower viral loads are frequent in A-ALF as compared with C-ALF. The prognosis of C-ALF is significantly poor as compared with that of A-ALF. In C-ALF, most immunosuppression-mediated reactivation of hepatitis B results in fatality. Many case series or case-control studies have not demonstrated the survival benefit of nucleos(t)ide treatment. This treatment failure is probably related to delayed initiation of nucleos(t)ide treatment and viral suppression. Treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs should be started immediately and should be continued regardless of subgroups of HBV-related ALF. Liver transplantation is the only treatment option that improves the prognosis of HBV-related ALF. Patients under consideration for transplantation should be given nucleos(t)ide analogs as prophylaxis to reduce the likelihood of post-transplant HBV recurrence.

Hepatitis B "360"

There is an extremely high burden of liver disease owing to viral hepatitis B (HBV); about 2 billion people are infected and 350 million are chronic carriers of HBV worldwide. More effective medical therapy and liver transplantation are available for those with advancing disease. The interaction between the host immune system and the virus influences the rate of development of advanced liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); treatment that successfully reduces viral replication of HBV also reduces the incidence of development of advanced liver disease and HCC. Liver transplantation for HBV has yielded favorable outcomes since the institution of hepatitis B immune globulin and antiviral therapy. The ability to stabilize and rescue some patients with advanced liver disease owing to HBV has resulted in a changing demographic for patients with HBV undergoing liver transplantation. The main indications for transplant owing to HBV are now acute liver failure (both acute and acute reactivation on the background of chronic HBV) and HCC. Use of donor organs exposed to HBV with positive HBV core antibody is now routinely accepted for its good outcomes, and in selected cases with active HBV, HBV surface antigen-positive donors may be utilized to further expand the donor pool. Another indication for antiviral therapy for HBV is to reduce the risk of reactivation of latent virus in some patients previously exposed to HBV who are being treated with chemotherapy. Health care providers with HBV infection have an obligation to appropriately treat or monitor their disease closely to reduce the risk of transmission of disease from provider to patient. In the future, universal vaccination will reduce the overall burden of HBV liver disease, but until then appropriate utilization of available medical and surgical therapeutic options gives excellent clinical outcomes.

Fulminant viral hepatitis

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a condition wherein the previously healthy liver rapidly deteriorates, resulting in jaundice, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy. There are approximately 2000 cases per year of ALF in the United States. Viral causes (fulminant viral hepatitis [FVH]) are the predominant cause of ALF in developing countries. Given the ease of spread of viral hepatitis and the high morbidity and mortality associated with ALF, a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of FVH is required. In this review, the authors describe the viral causes of ALF and review the intensive care unit management of patients with FVH.