Severe acute hepatitis in a printing company worker: A case study

Abstract

Objectives: It has been reported that chlorinated organic solvent is a cause of hepatitis. Methods: we investigate clinical and pathological findings of a patient with severe acute hepatitis who was exposed to chlorinated organic solvents. Results: A 34-year-old man who was exposed to chlorinated organic solvents including dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, and trichloroethylene, presented with general fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. At admission, his laboratory test results showed extremely elevated aspartate aminotransferase (4,872 IU/l), alanine aminotransferase (3,000 IU/l), and lactate dehydrogenase (11,600 IU/l) levels and a prothrombin level below normal (41%). No encephalopathy was noted. These findings were indicative of severe acute hepatitis. Viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic disease, bile duct disease, and viral infection were excluded as causes of hepatitis by clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. After diagnosis, the patient was administered fresh frozen plasma and glucagon-insulin therapy. Liver function recovered within a few weeks, and a liver biopsy performed 25 days after admission showed the recovery phase after acute liver damage. Conclusions: These clinical and pathological findings indicate that exposure to chlorinated organic solvents may have induced severe acute hepatitis in this patient.(J Occup Health 2015; 57: 87–90)