Acute hepatitis induced by an Aloe vera preparation: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
Aloe vera, plant extracts of Aloe barbadensis miller, is widely used in phytomedicine. The first case of acute hepatitis due to this compound was described.


METHODS
Description of a clinical case.


RESULTS
Hepatitis in a 57-year old female could be linked to the ingestion of Aloe barbadensis miller compounds. The patient's hepatitis resolved completely after discontinuing this medication.


CONCLUSIONS
The case emphasizes the importance of considering phytopharmaceutical over-the-counter drugs as causative agents of hepatitis.
Rabe
Christian
C
Department of Medicine, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Koeln Kalk, Germany. rabe@uni-bonn.de
Musch
Annemarie
A
Schirmacher
Peter
P
Kruis
Wolfgang
W
Hoffmann
Robert
R
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000504:Aloe; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase