Liver granulomatosis: a case of Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection

Acta Clin Belg. 2015 Feb;70(1):50-2. doi: 10.1179/2295333714Y.0000000068. Epub 2014 Aug 31.

Abstract

An 18-year-old man was referred to the Internal Medicine ward because of a 2-week history of intermittent high fever, weight loss and cough. Clinical examination revealed hepato-splenomegaly and multiple lymph nodes swelling while laboratory tests showed elevated C-reactive protein, gamma glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase. All serologic testes for auto-immune antibodies, viruses and bacteria were negative except for Chlamydophila pneumoniae. An 18-FDG PET computed tomography scanner showed hypermetabolism in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes. We therefore conducted a liver biopsy that demonstrated non-necrotizing granulomas. We conclude to a C. pneumoniae infection associated with a granulomatous hepatitis. After treatment with Doxyciclin the patient had no more fever, hepatosplenomegaly resolved and blood testes normalized. This case report is to our knowledge the first report of a granulomatous hepatitis associated with C. pneumoniae respiratory infection.

Keywords: Chlamydophila pneumoniae,; Doxycycline; Granulomatosis,; Liver,.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chlamydophila Infections / complications
  • Chlamydophila Infections / diagnosis*
  • Chlamydophila Infections / drug therapy
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Granuloma / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / microbiology*
  • Male

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline