A study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of liver impairment in Covid-19 patients, along with recognizing the satisfactory and applied diagnostic criteria of Covid-19 Induced Hepatitis (CIH). This analysis provides an insight and direction about the diagnosis of CIH, aetiology of liver damage and about the damage of liver function in Covid-19 patients.

The study comprised comprehensive literature review of recently available data and study in PubMed cited journals and other international publisher journals. The investigators also included research of all studies that assessed liver derangement in COVID-19.

The result of the study revealed that 60% of patients with SARS-CoV-2 can have disturbed liver functions. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) were considerably abnormal in around 14-53% of patients with Covid-19 (7/114, 6.14%). ALT/AST, in severe Covid-19 pneumonia was unusually higher in contrast to patients with mild disease, with mean average (37.87±32.17 vs 21.22± 12.67;38.87 ± 22.55 vs 24.39 ± 9.79).

CIH, is considered as a benign new transient hepatitis in a SARS-CoV-2 patients. It is characterized by gradual onset, elevated AST and ALT, non-obstructive jaundice, stable underlying liver disease, dilated sinusoidal with lymphocytic infiltration of liver parenchyma, and no radiological new hepatobiliary changes.

Source: World J Gastroenterol Hepatol Endosc,: 2020:3(3);1-6