Onset of liver damage after a single administration of infliximab in a patient with refractory ulcerative colitis.
We report the case of a patient with refractory ulcerative colitis who developed cholestatic acute liver damage after a single infusion of infliximab. Unusual aspects of this case were the early onset (after the first administration) of liver damage and the absence of antinuclear antibodies, alcohol intake, hepatotoxic drugs and all known viral and metabolic causes of hepatic injury. Moreover, no serological or morphological findings of primary sclerosing cholangitis were observed. The patient's liver damage resolved spontaneously within 6 weeks. Although a direct relationship between administration of infliximab and onset of acute liver damage could not be definitely established, our case suggests that infliximab may induce direct liver damage, the course of which is similar to acute cholestatic hepatitis and resolves following withdrawal of the drug.
Ierardi
Enzo
E
Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. e.ierardi@virgilio.it
Valle
Nicola Della
ND
Nacchiero
Maurizio Cosimo
MC
De Francesco
Vincenzo
V
Stoppino
Giuseppe
G
Panella
Carmine
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab