ABSTRACT

Hepatitis A virus infection constitutes an important health problem in developing countries. It is usually a benign self-limiting disease, but may present with atypical clinical findings. Acute viral hepatitis can be seen in the course of structural and functional changes in the gallbladder. A 20-year-old woman was admitted to our department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, fatigue abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. Physical examination revealed that the patient had icterus, hepatosplenomegaly and tenderness in right hypochondrium. Laboratory investigations revealed hyperbilirubinemia and elevated aminotransferases. Serology for viral hepatitis suggested acute hepatitis A infection and was negative for other causes. Ultrasonographically distended inflamed gallbladder without calculous was observed. Finally acute acalculous cholecystitis due to Hepatitis A virus was diagnosed and the patient responded to the conservative management. Affected by the gallbladder in patients with acute viral hepatitis, the unnecessary use of antibiotics and surgery should be avoided.