Herpesvirus infection of the liver

The eight human herpesviruses can produce a broad spectrum of diseases in the Liver. The immunocompromised host is particularly susceptible to hepatic manifestations of herpesvirus disease. Cytomegalovirus is the most common opportunistic pathogen. The initial clinical presentation of hepatic herpesvirus infection may be subtle or nonspecific. Maintaining a high index of suspicion and immediately performing liver biopsy to document viral replication (alpha and beta herpesviruses) or the outgrowth of infected cells (gamma herpesviruses) can lead to lifesaving therapeutic interventions.