Albendazole-induced granulomatous hepatitis: a case report

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Toxicology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Drug-related hepatotoxicity is a significant health concern, contributing to acute liver failure and challenges in drug development.
• The pathogenesis and risk factors for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remain poorly understood.
• Diagnosing DILI is complex due to varied presentations and lack of definitive diagnostic criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of granulomatous hepatitis attributed to albendazole.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and clinical implications of drug-induced liver injury.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 25-year-old woman with acute hepatitis of unknown origin.
• Diagnosis involved laboratory studies, liver biopsy, medical and drug history review, and monitoring response to drug withdrawal.
• Causality assessment using the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences-Roussel Uclaf method.

Main Results:

• The patient was diagnosed with albendazole-induced granulomatous hepatitis.
• Liver biopsy confirmed a granulomatous pattern.
• Causality assessment indicated a likely link between albendazole and hepatocellular damage.
• Liver biochemical profile improved spontaneously after discontinuing albendazole.

Conclusions:

• Albendazole-induced granulomatous hepatitis was the suspected diagnosis, supported by histological findings.
• This case underscores the potential for DILI from commonly used drugs like albendazole.
• The findings are relevant given the widespread use of albendazole and the prevalence of drug-related hepatotoxicity.