title: Salicylate hepatitis.
abstract: Two patients developed acute hepatic injury as a result of salicylate therapy. In each patient serum salicylate levels were below 25 mg per 100 ml during the development of hepatic dysfunction. Liver biopsies, obtained a few days after the peak abnormalities in serum transaminases, revealed nonspecific acute hepatitis. Normal liver tissue was found before the beginning of salicylate treatment in 1 patient, who had systemic lupus erythematosus and drug rechallenge was not attempted. In the other patient, who had rheumatoid arthritis, rechallenge with salicylate evoked hepatic dysfunction and recurrent symptoms. Salicylate-induced liver injury should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic disease occurring in patients receiving high dose salicylate therapy, regardless of serum salicylate levels.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012459:Salicylates / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012459:Salicylates; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases