Prolonged jaundice after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection: a clinical case report

The hepatobiliary system can be affected by a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), in addition to the respiratory organs. Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) is a rare cause of jaundice that usually develops as a result of drug-induced liver injury or possibly due to the combined effect of several etiological factors.

Clinical case. A 77-year-old patient was hospitalized due to jaundice, skin itching and dark urine. Symptoms first appeared 1 month after COVID-19 treated with ceftriaxone and were accompanied by an increase in biochemical markers of cholestasis. Both extra- and intrahepatic bile ducts injuries were excluded. Liver histology revealed VBDS. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid for 11 months led to complete resolution of jaundice, regression of pruritus and a decrease in biochemical markers of cholestasis.

Discussion. This clinical case is of interest in connection with the development of VBDS in a patient after coronavirus pneumonia treated with ceftriaxone. VBDS is rarely included in the differential diagnosis of cholestatic syndrome, which is partly due to the lack of awareness of physicians about the complications that develop after COVID-19 and drug therapy.