An Infectious Cause of Acute Liver Injury

Course overview

Acute liver injury has a wide variety of causes with a complex laboratory workup involving many different areas in the clinical laboratory including chemistry, immunology, and microbiology, as illustrated in this case presentation of acute Q fever hepatitis. The goal of this lecture is to review basic liver function and laboratory testing for acute liver injury, with an emphasis on testing for autoimmune hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and Coxiella burnetii. Learning Objectives: Discuss the interpretation of serologic testing for Epstein-Barr Virus. Describe the basic microbiology and transmission of Coxiella burnetii. Explain the serologic testing for Q fever and how we differentiate between acute and chronic infections.