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Steroid Therapy for a Case of Severe Drug-Induced Cholestasis

Young Investigator, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

Mariangela D'Ambrosi, MD

Young Investigator, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II

Monica Volpicelli, MD

Young Investigator, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II

Raffaele Iorio, MD

Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II

Reprints: Dr. Iorio, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini n. 5, 80131 Naples-Italy, fax 39 081 7464337, riorio{at}unina.it

OBJECTIVE: To report a severe case of cholestatic liver disease successfully treated with corticosteroids following combined therapy with clarithromycin and nimesulide.

CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old girl was admitted with cholestasis probably related to treatment with clarithromycin and nimesulide for an upper respiratory tract infection. Other causes of liver disease (infections, metabolic liver disorders, genetic cholestatic syndromes, autoimmune diseases, primary biliary tract disorders) were excluded. Liver biopsy showed a severe canalicular cholestasis with bile plugs in dilated bile canaliculi, giant cell transformation, and portal and lobular infiltrate. An objective causality assessment suggested that cholestasis was probably related to clarithromycin and/or nimesulide use. No benefit was derived from a course of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Since the patient experienced a progressive worsening in cholestasis, prednisone was started after 20 days. This therapy was promptly followed by improvement in clinical and laboratory test results. After 2 months of prednisone treatment, the patient became symptom-free with normal liver function tests.

DISCUSSION: The manifestations of drug-induced hepatotoxicity are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic hypertransaminemia to fulminant hepatic failure. No specific treatment for drug-induced hepatotoxicity exists. Early recognition and drug withdrawal are the keys to management of hepatotoxicity, but in some cases, liver disease may persist despite discontinuation of the drug. Possible advantages of corticosteroid therapy have not been well demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS: Application of the Naranjo probability scale indicates a probable relationship between cholestasis and nimesulide plus clarithromycin use. This case draws attention to a possible therapeutic option for some cases of drug-induced hepatotoxicity that show a severe course without any sign of improvement.

Key Words: corticosteroid therapy, drug-induced hepatotoxicity

Published Online, May 23, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G345