Severe Cholestatic Hepatitis Caused by Azathioprine

Dr. Christoph Eisenbach Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Intoxications, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120; Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Intoxications, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120

Christoph Goeggelmann Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120

Christa Flechtenmacher Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120

Wolfgang Stremmel Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Intoxications, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120

Jens Encke Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Intoxications, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, Germany, D-69120

Abstract

A male patient receiving azathioprine treatment for discoid lupus erythematodes developed severe cholestatic hepatitis between 14 and 21 days after initiation of the treatment with peak bilirubin levels of 62.4 mg/dL. Other causes of hepatic dysfunction including viral hepatitis were clinically and serologically excluded. Liver biopsy revealed cholestatic hepatocellular damage. At 14 days after discontinuation of azathioprine the liver function (transaminases and bilirubin) began to improve. Only alcaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase remained elevated even after 4 months. This case argues for an idiosyncratic cholestatic hepatocellular damage caused by azathioprine.

Key Words :

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Severe Cholestatic Hepatitis Caused by Azathioprine

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Severe Cholestatic Hepatitis Caused by Azathioprine

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature