Adenovirus-Related Fulminant Liver Failure After Kidney Transplantation

Background

Adenoviruses are DNA viruses that are classified into 7 subgroups (A–G) and these subgroups can be further divided into 52 serotypes [1]. Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections in immuno-competent subjects are common in all age groups of the population, and are usually asymptomatic and self-limiting. In immunocompromised and especially transplant patients, HAdV have been associated with severe, life-threatening infections that have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and graft survival [2]. In solid-organ adult transplantation, the incidence seems to be comparable in kidney and liver recipients, at 4.1% and 5.8%, respectively. The incidence is much higher in lung transplant recipients (22.5%) [3–5]. Several risk factors for adenovirus infection in solid-organ adult transplant recipients have already been described. One of the most consistent risk factors is immunosuppressive therapy. Exposure to lytic antibody therapy such as OKT3, thymoglobulin and basiliximab, as well as higher levels of maintenance immunosuppression therapy, have been proven to increase the risk for viral infection [6,7]. Use of adenovirus sero-mismatched donors is also a risk factor for HAdV infection, along with patient age and type of transplanted organ [8].

HAdV infection in kidney transplantation has been well described. In this population, the median time to diagnosis of infection was 1.25 months (range 0.5–75 months), with 76.5% of the infections being diagnosed within 3 months after kidney transplant [6]. Clinical presentation can vary from fever and dysuria to hemorrhagic cystitis, tubular nephritis, and acute graft dysfunction [9,10].

Case Report

Our patient was a 51-year-old man who underwent deceased-donor kidney transplant for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). His pre-transplant serology screening was positive for EBV IgG only. He received standard immunosuppression consisting of thymoglobulin x 3 doses (1.5 mg/kg), mycophenolate mofetil 1000 mg p.o. twice a day, and tacrolimus with a daily goal of 8–10 ng/ml. His postoperative course was complicated by reoccurrence of FSGS requiring apheresis x 6 cycles and rituximab (375 mg/m2). Three weeks after initial transplant, the patient was admitted for open kidney biopsy due to increasing creatinine. The kidney biopsy was suspicious for acute cellular rejection, and the patient received another 2 cycles of apheresis as well as a steroid pulse (Solumedrol 250 mg daily for 3 days with subsequent prednisone taper) and was sent home. After 3 days (25 days after kidney transplantation), he was readmitted for general malaise, fever, and leukopenia. At that point it was found that his liver enzymes were slightly elevated. His condition rapidly deteriorated over the following 24 h with the development of severe acute liver and kidney failure. A liver biopsy was performed, revealing acute adenoviral hepatitis with extensive necrosis (Figures 1, 2). CT abdomen/pelvis with triple i.v. contrast showed moderate hepatic steatosis. There was decreased enhancement along the medial aspect of the right hepatic lobe, including portions of segments 5–8 on the portal venous phase, without an obvious mass or vascular thrombosis.

The patient became hemodynamically unstable, requiring several vasopressors. His liver enzymes markedly increased (ALT 10 000 IU/l) and synthetic function tests worsened (INR 7) (Table 1). He also developed severe hyperkalemia despite hemodialysis. Viral blood serology revealed acute adenoviral infection (DNA levels 7×108 copies/ml). Liver transplant work-up was started for potential liver transplantation on day 2, but unfortunately the patient died 72 h after hospital admission.

Discussion

FSGS recurrence after kidney transplantation is a major risk factor for graft loss. Idiopathic FSGS recurs post-transplant in one-third of cases and is associated with a five5-fold higher risk of graft loss [11]. Plasmapheresis and rituximab are the most frequent treatments. Response to treatment is associated with significantly better outcomes but is achieved in only half of cases. In this case scenario, the patient also received thymoglobulin and pulse steroids as a treatment of acute cellular rejection of the kidney. The adenovirus infection with subsequent acute liver failure was likely precipitated by his increased immunosuppression regimen.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a consequence of a quick and vast insult to the liver, resulting in a multisystem illness characterized by severe coagulopathy, encephalopathy, and subsequent multi-organ failure. The most common cause of acute liver failure in transplant patients is viral infections and drug-induced liver injury [12]. In immunocompromised recipients, typical viral infections that could lead to ALF are herpes virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus, and, rarely, adenovirus and parvoviruses. In fact, there is only 1 case described similar to this [13].

Currently, transplant protocols for solid-organ transplant do not include the evaluation of anti-adenovirus serostatus. It is considered to be of little benefit due to the existence of many different serotypes. Thus, patients cannot be stratified into high-/low-risk groups (as is in CMV or Herpes screening).

The most important component of therapy remains supportive care and decreasing the amount of immunosuppression. The use of antiviral agents has not been FDA approved for the treatment of adenoviral infection or disease and is not supported by prospective randomized clinical trials [2]. In most transplant centers, however, intravenous cidofovir is considered the standard practice for treatment of severe adenovirus disease [14,15]. Unfortunately, in this clinical case the aggressiveness of the HAdV infection was so prominent that there was not enough time for more than supportive treatment.

Conclusions

Screening for rare viruses should be considered higher priority for all transplant patients with abnormal liver function. Liver biopsy and broad-spectrum antibiotics and, in some cases, viral agents need to be started empirically early in the clinical course. The prognosis for transplant patients with ALF is grim and these patients are probably poor candidates for liver transplantation. Over-immunosuppression should be avoided to prevent rare opportunistic viral infections in transplanted patients.