propylthiouracil and Hepatitis--Autoimmune

A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of liver dysfunction. Her serum levels of AST (619 IU/l) and ALT (603 IU/l) had increased. Histological findings in the liver biopsy were compatible to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and the diagnosis of AIH was confirmed by the diagnostic criteria. She was admitted to a nearby hospital 3 years ago, and diagnosed with Graves' disease. She received methimazole (MMI) at first, which was discontinued due to liver injury in one month, then propylthiouracil (PTU) was administered. One year later, transaminase increased and was decreased by stopping PTU administration. PTU was restarted after her transaminase decreased, but a recurrence of hepatotoxicity was observed, and she was referred to our hospital. Oral prednisolone decreased liver function immediately. In this case, PTU-induced liver injury was suspected as a possible trigger of AIH. While PTU remains a commonly used drug in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, severe liver injury is reported in some cases. If liver injury is observed in patients treated with PTU, rechallenge is not recommended in order to avoid severe hepatotoxicity.

Topics: Antithyroid Agents; Female; Graves Disease; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Humans; Middle Aged; Propylthiouracil

This case describes a young girl with Graves' disease, who presented with fulminant hepatic failure 9 months into propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy. Her clinical presentation was consistent with 'probable autoimmune hepatitis,' as defined by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group scoring system. Despite discontinuation of PTU and high-dose steroid therapy, she required liver transplantation. Subsequent pathology could not definitively rule out autoimmune hepatitis. PTU is an important cause of drug-related liver failure in children, and clinicians should be mindful that it is frequently used in patients who already have an underlying risk of autoimmune liver disease.

Topics: Antithyroid Agents; Cadaver; Child; Female; Graves Disease; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Humans; Length of Stay; Liver Failure; Liver Transplantation; Propylthiouracil; Treatment Outcome

A 17-year-old woman was admitted because of proteinuria, microhematuria and liver dysfunction with increased antinuclear antibody and anti-myeloperoxidase antibody (MPO-ANCA). Fourteen months' previously, urinalysis and liver function showed normal range. At that time she suffered from tachycardia and weight reduction, diagnosed as Graves' disease, she was given propylthiouracil for treatment of her Graves' disease. The histological finding of renal biopsy was compatible with minor glomerular abnormalities. Liver biopsy finding was compatible with autoimmune hepatitis. After we had administered prednisolone, liver function returned to normal range and urine protein became negative. Then we performed subtotal thyroidectomy, and she was not given propylthiouracil. MPO-ANCA decreased gradually.

Topics: Adolescent; Antithyroid Agents; Autoantibodies; Female; Graves Disease; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Humans; Nephritis; Peroxidase; Propylthiouracil; Treatment Outcome

A 31-year-old woman with Graves' disease with a 12-month-history of propylthiouracil intake and autoantibodies in the sera was admitted to our hospital. The differential diagnosis between autoimmune hepatitis and propylthiouracil-induced hepatitis was intractable. Steroid therapy was started and she showed a complete response to the treatment. Liver biopsy demonstrated acute hepatitis and plasma cell infiltration. A second liver biopsy, which was performed 10 months after starting steroid therapy, showed some inflammatory cells in the portal tracts. These findings suggest that she had been suffering from autoimmune hepatitis.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Graves Disease; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Humans; Liver; Propylthiouracil