3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): an important cause of acute hepatitis.
BACKGROUND
MDMA, i.e. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy"), occasionally produces significant hepatotoxicity in humans. It is characterized by a wide range of variability in clinical expression, ranging from asymptomatic liver injury, as observed by altered liver function tests, to acute hepatic failure. Prognostic factors that may predict the outcome of this condition remain unknown.


METHODS
We report a case of a 19-year-old male who presented deeplyjaundiced two weeks after ingestion of two tablets of Ecstasy. The clinical picture, laboratory data, and morphological studies were consistent with acute hepatitis. There was no evidence for a viral, alcoholic, metabolic, or autoimmune etiology of the disease. A mild clinical course with complete recovery after two months was observed. The presence of All molecule was confirmed in the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The possible association of specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) phenotypes and MDMA-induced hepatotoxicity needs future evaluation.
Brncić
Nada
N
Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Center, Rijeka, Croatia. nada.brncic@medri.hr
Kraus
Ivan
I
Visković
Ivica
I
Mijandrusić-Sincić
Brankica
B
Vlahović-Palcevski
Vera
V
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
D006680:HLA Antigens; D006213:Hallucinogens; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D001663:Bilirubin