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Case Reports
. 2021 Jul 16;100(28):e26653.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026653.

Acute HIV infection with presentations mimicking acalculous cholecystitis: A case report

Wang-Da Liu  1   2 , Chih-Ning Cheng  3 , Ya-Ting Lin  3 , Ching-Hua Kuo  3 , Shu-Yuan Ho  4 , Chien-Ching Hung  1   5   6   7
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acute HIV infection with presentations mimicking acalculous cholecystitis: A case report

Wang-Da Liu et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Rationale: Acute retroviral syndrome is the symptomatic presentation of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which often manifests as a self-limited infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome and occurs 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to HIV. Atypical manifestations including hepatitis, meningitis, or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been reported. However, manifestations of acute acalculous cholecystitis during acute HIV infection are rarely reported.

Patient concerns: A 30-year-old man with nausea and loose stools, followed by fever and abdominal pain at the right upper quadrant for 10 days.

Diagnosis: Acute retroviral syndrome, complicated with acute acalculous cholecystitis.

Interventions: Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was performed and treatment with co-formulated bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide was initiated upon HIV diagnosis.

Outcomes: The patient's symptoms improved after the drainage. The levels of liver enzyme including aspartate transaminase alanine aminotransferase decreased to a level within normal limits 1 month after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion: Acalculous cholecystitis in combination with acute hepatitis could be manifestations of acute HIV infection. For individuals at risk of acquiring HIV infection who present with manifestations of acute acalculous cholecystitis, HIV testing should be considered.

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Conflict of interest statement

CCH received research support from Gilead Sciences, Merck, and ViiV, speaker honoraria from Gilead Sciences and ViiV, and served on advisory boards for Gilead Sciences and ViiV. Other authors have no competing interests to disclose. This does not potentially influence what is written in the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a distended gallbladder with mild wall-thickening.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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