The possible role of viral infections in acute pancreatitis: a review of literature

Acute pancreatitis, a potentially fatal disease, with symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain, is known to range from a mild self-limiting state up to a more severe and lethal form. This review aims to provide a clearer picture to improve understanding the role of viral agents in the development of acute pancreatitis. Common databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used for the literature search. In this review search terms including virus, viral, infection, and specific descriptive terms for a virus were considered in different combinations. Various causative agents are recognized in the development of acute pancreatitis as one of the most frequent gastrointestinal diseases, such as gallstones, alcoholism, and hypertriglyceridemia. Microbial pathogens with about 10% of acute pancreatitis cases, mainly viruses, among other factors, are thought to play a role in this regard. Once the pancreatitis diagnosis has been made, depending on the causative agent, the management approach and specific interventions affect the final outcome. Virus-induced acute pancreatitis in patients should be considered. Advanced diagnostic tests such as PCR, in situ hybridization, and biopsy can help for a better understanding of the role of viruses in causing acute pancreatitis. Improvement in the tests will lead to timely diagnosis, treatment, and better management of pancreatitis.