HEPATITIS-C INFECTION - A RARE CAUSE OF FULMINANT HEPATIC-FAILURE

Fulminant hepatic failure is caused by a variety of viruses, toxins, a nd metabolic derangements. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes indolent development of cirrhosis and has not been associated with fulminant h epatic failure, We report the first documented case of fulminant hepat itis C in the United States. The patient developed jaundice and stage IV encephalopathy. Initial laboratory evaluation did not reveal the et iology. The patient survived without liver transplantation. Three wk l ater he was found to have a positive HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibody ser oconversion. He continued to improve with alpha-interferon treatment a nd has normal liver function and a negative HCV RNA 15 months later.