Yakon tea induced hepatitis in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Abstract

A 66-year-old woman, given a diagnosis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis in 2004, had improved her liver function by abstinence from drinking. Since then, she has drunk 1 to 2 liters of Yakon tea per day. Her liver function deteriorated and T. Bil was 13.2mg/dl and AST was 291U/l in February 2005. Given the positive DLST for Yakon tea, Yakon tea-induced hepatitis was diagnosed. After cessation of the intake of the tea, her liver function gradually improved. Since there has been no report on Yakon induced hepatitis and it has been thought to be a safe supplement, we here report this intriguing case.