DIAGNOSIS AND CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS OF 170 CASES WITH DRUG-INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY DUE TO DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION

Abstract

Clinical observations of drug-induced hepatic injury due to delayed hypersensitivity reaction were performed in 170 cases whose causative drugs had been detected by the lymphocyte stimulation test. One third of causative drugs was antibiotics. There was a peak in the third decade of year in the distribution of age, and there was no difference in sex. Eighty two per cent of cases showed any kind of sign and/or symptome of hepatic injury within 8 weeks after drug administration. Over half of cases complained jaundice, fever and/or gastrointestinal symptome as the initial signs. About labolatory findings half of cases showed leucocytosis and eosinophilia. Most of cases showed moderate elevation of serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. Eighty per cent of cases recovered within 12 weeks after onset. The recovery period was shorter in cases whose maximal elevation of transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were observed simultaneously. Eight cases died with massive or submassive hepatic necrosis.