Septic Pylephlebitis in the Setting of COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Portal vein thrombophlebitis is a rare complication that can occur in various hypercoagulable states, including COVID-19. We are presenting a 74-year-old female with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and lymphoma who contracted the COVID-19 infection and presented with persistent fever, leukocytosis, and mild epigastric tenderness. She developed hypotension, acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and worsening leukocytosis with bandemia and was diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. The patient received broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and full anticoagulation therapy with heparin and was discharged on oral Warfarin after completing 14-day antibiotic therapy. She presented again with recurrent watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and fatigue and was diagnosed with pylephlebitis and multiple small liver abscesses. The patient was treated with antibiotics for six weeks and was discharged on warfarin, furosemide, and spironolactone with close outpatient follow-up. Prolonged fever in COVID-19 patients can indicate extensive thrombosis at unusual sites, which can lead to major morbidity and mortality in patients.