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Abnormal liver chemistry from the development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) may reflect an unmasking of subclinical disease. We present the case of a 37-year-old female with a mixed pattern of liver injury from disseminated mycobacterium avium complex infection after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Presenting symptoms were fever, confusion, dysphagia, and abdominal discomfort for one week. Exam revealed a fever of 103.2°F, hypotension, encephalopathy, and abdominal tenderness. Lab work was significant for acute normocytic anemia, leukopenia, absolute CD4 count 28 cells/cmm, HIV viral load 276 viral copies/ml (vc/ml), ALT 267 U/L, AST 484 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 342 U/L, and normal total bilirubin. Imaging revealed hepatomegaly with steatosis and mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Percutaneous liver biopsy demonstrated noncaseating granulomas with AFB-positive organisms, with AFB blood cultures growing Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), consistent with disseminated MAC infection. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for IRIS when determining the etiology of elevated liver transaminases in patients with HIV.
Joydeep Chakraborty (Mon,) studied this question.