Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen
09:44

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen

Published on: November 27, 2019

[Clinical characteristics of 159 cases of acute toxic hepatitis]

Sun Hyung Kang1, Jeong Il Kim, Kyung Hye Jeong

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Hepatology
|January 3, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Herbal medicines are the leading cause of toxic hepatitis. Severity of liver injury at admission significantly impacts hospitalization and recovery times for patients with toxic hepatitis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Toxicology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Toxic hepatitis is a significant cause of acute liver injury.
  • Understanding its clinical features and prognosis is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of toxic hepatitis.
  • To identify the primary causes and prognostic factors associated with toxic hepatitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 159 toxic hepatitis cases diagnosed between March 2003 and March 2008.
  • Patient selection based on a RUCAM score of 4 or higher.
  • Analysis of clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and patient demographics.

Main Results:

  • Herbal medicines (41.5%) and Korean traditional therapeutic preparations (34.0%) were the most common causes.
  • Jaundice was the most frequent symptom upon admission.
  • Higher initial bilirubin levels and anorexia correlated with longer hospital stays; alcohol ingestion history was linked to delayed recovery.

Conclusions:

  • Herbal medicine use is the primary driver of acute toxic hepatitis in this cohort.
  • The severity of liver injury at presentation is a key determinant of hospitalization duration and recovery.
  • Clinical features and laboratory markers at admission are vital for predicting patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube06:12

Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube

Published on: April 28, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...