Role of high-volume plasma exchange in a case of a G6PD deficient patient presenting with HAV related acute liver failure and concomitant acute renal failure.

Abstract

A mild degree of hemolysis is commonly encountered complication in acute viral hepatitis patients which generally resolves as the disease recovers. Rarely, some patients might present with severe hemolysis associated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. It has been hypothesized that the hemolysis is initially provoked by the viral infection itself; however, it may be aggravated due to the administration of certain drugs in patients with G6PD deficiency. We report a case highlighting the role of high-volume plasma exchange in a G6PD deficient patient presenting with hepatitis A related acute liver failure (ALF) and concomitant acute renal failure (ARF).