Etiopathogenic and Therapeutic Considerations in a Multiple Sclerosis Case with Acute Toxic Hepatitis

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: In multiple sclerosis (MS), there are many therapeutic options, but most of the available drugs can cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) after the first infusions. A wide group of other drugs may induce liver injury, from simple anti-pyretic medication like Acetaminophen to various dietary herb supplements like Ashwagandha. <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 39-year-old female patient, diagnosed with MS, has been previously treated with Glatiramer Acetate and interferon-beta, and is currently undergoing immunomodulatory treatment with natalizumab (infusion no. 81). She had a recent history of an airway infection for which she took 4-5 capsules of Acetaminophen per day for 7 days, along with the consumption of dietary supplement with Ashwagandha herb. She presented with jaundice, pruritus, and lower limb ecchymoses. The laboratory results revealed higher aminotransferase levels, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The screening for autoimmune and infectious hepatitis was negative. The scenario of toxic hepatitis induced by recently used drugs (Ashwagandha dietary herb supplement and Acetaminophen) was adequate to start therapy with oral cortisone. The clinical and laboratory results gradually improved, with normal levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, with no further increase after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy and dietary herb supplements. <b>Conclusions</b>: This case highlights the challenges in determining the multiple etiologies and managing acute liver injury in an MS patient on natalizumab, an immunomodulatory drug that can induce liver injury after the first infusions, especially in the context of recent ingestion of hepatotoxic drugs.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Published
2025-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8020038
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.56
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Etiopathogenic and Therapeutic Considerations in a Multiple Sclerosis Case with Acute Toxic Hepatitis

Simona Petrescu, Cristina Panea, Maria-Melania Dumitru-Martoiu
1 citations
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
1.56
article

Etiopathogenic and Therapeutic Considerations in a Multiple Sclerosis Case with Acute Toxic Hepatitis

Simona Petrescu, Cristina Panea, Maria-Melania Dumitru-Martoiu
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: In multiple sclerosis (MS), there are many therapeutic options, but most of the available drugs can cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) after the first infusions. A wide group of other drugs may induce liver injury, from simple anti-pyretic medication like Acetaminophen to various dietary herb supplements like Ashwagandha. <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 39-year-old female patient, diagnosed with MS, has been previously treated with Glatiramer Acetate and interferon-beta, and is currently undergoing immunomodulatory treatment with natalizumab (infusion no. 81). She had a recent history of an airway infection for which she took 4-5 capsules of Acetaminophen per day for 7 days, along with the consumption of dietary supplement with Ashwagandha herb. She presented with jaundice, pruritus, and lower limb ecchymoses. The laboratory results revealed higher aminotransferase levels, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The screening for autoimmune and infectious hepatitis was negative. The scenario of toxic hepatitis induced by recently used drugs (Ashwagandha dietary herb supplement and Acetaminophen) was adequate to start therapy with oral cortisone. The clinical and laboratory results gradually improved, with normal levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, with no further increase after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy and dietary herb supplements. <b>Conclusions</b>: This case highlights the challenges in determining the multiple etiologies and managing acute liver injury in an MS patient on natalizumab, an immunomodulatory drug that can induce liver injury after the first infusions, especially in the context of recent ingestion of hepatotoxic drugs.

Reports — Medical Cases Images and VideosVol. 8(2)
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO), Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
1.56
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.