Successful liver transplantation in antituberculosis therapy-induced acute fulminant hepatic failure.
The antituberculosis drugs isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide expose patients to the risk of hepatotoxicity ranging from an asymptomatic increase in aminotransferase concentrations to fulminant hepatic failure. Herein, we report a case of acute fulminant hepatic failure that developed at 3 weeks after initiation of antituberculosis therapy (ATT) in a 31-year-old man with acute pulmonary tuberculosis in whom pretreatment liver function had been normal. The ATT regimen was changed to include less toxic substances, and an urgent orthotopic liver transplantation was performed successfully. Despite immunosuppression therapy with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, steroids, and antithymocyte globulin, clinical symptoms and radiologic signs of TB improved. Twelve months posttransplantation, graft function was normal. Acute TB should not be considered a contradiction to liver transplantation if effective ATT can be administered.
Schneider
R
R
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany. rick.schneider@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Bercker
S
S
Schubert
S
S
Tillmann
H L
HL
Fangmann
J
J
Hauss
J
J
Bartels
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase