title: Chinese green tea and acute hepatitis: a rare yet recurring theme.
abstract: A previously healthy 16-year-old girl presented with signs of acute hepatitis. On initial enquiry, she had not taken any prescribed or 'over-the-counter' medications, and there was no recent travel history. Further investigations revealed no viral, autoimmune or metabolic cause of hepatitis. Only following specific questioning did she reveal that she had, in the preceding 3 months, regularly consumed internet ordered Chinese green tea, which contained Camellia sinensis. After ceasing green tea consumption, there was a rapid and sustained recovery of her hepatitis. The authors discuss the probable cause of herbal tea in this case of acute hepatitis, and the importance of awareness of this rare yet recurring theme for patients and clinicians alike.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Sebastian Thomas
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lugg
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Braganza Menezes
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gompertz
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000302:isolation & purification; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D012008:Recurrence; D013662:Tea / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin