Introduction: Fulminant hepatitis due to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection has a poor prognosis although an effective treatment is available.
Case report: We present a case of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) as a result of disseminated VZV infection in a long-term alcoholic patient who underwent laryngectomy and radical neck dissection due to squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Post-mortem examination revealed the diagnosis of fulminant hepatitis and infection with VZV. Viral inclusion bodies were found in the hypopharyngeal mucosa as well as in the liver tissue. In these tissues VZV was detected by PCR. The clinical presentation is suggestive for a reactivation of VZV without cutaneous signs of herpes zoster during a state of immunosuppression.
Discussion: Differential diagnosis comprises hepatitis by other Herpes group viruses and toxic hepatic injury.