[Severe drug hepatitis caused by Chelidonium].
We report the case of a 58-year-old male patient who was admitted with severe acute cholestatic hepatitis. Liver biopsy showed signs of drug-induced hepatitis. Other causes of acute hepatitis were excluded. Therefore, the ingestion of a Chelidonium-containing preparation (celandine) was thought to be responsible for the hepatitis. Shortly after stopping the administration of Chelidonium, the highly pathological levels of several liver parameters began to normalise. As no autoantibodies were detectable, an idiosyncratic reaction as the cause of drug-induced hepatitis is probable. In cases of unknown hepatitis, herbal medications should be taken into account as a possible cause.
Rifai
K
K
Abteilung für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover. rifai.k@gmx.de
Flemming
P
P
Manns
M P
MP
Trautwein
C
C
D028281:Chelidonium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056487:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*