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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
Toxic hepatitis after exposure to humidifier disinfectant: A case series report
Hyung Doo Kim1, Hwan-Cheol Kim2, Jong-Han Leem2
1Infectious Disease Control Division, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Health damage from humidifier disinfectants is an unprecedented environmental health disaster. Humidifier disinfectants were used broadly in Korea from 1994 to 2011. Most studies have focused on respiratory problems because of the exposure route and primary respiratory symptoms. This overlooks the previous research results that humidifier disinfectants could move to extrapulmonary organs and induce toxic effects. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine toxic hepatitis cases developed after inhaling humidifier disinfectant. We focused on the indications of toxic hepatitis in two pediatric cases and one female adult case. All patients were exposed to humidifier disinfectants in a residential space. These disinfectants all contained polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Rapid increases in blood hepatic enzyme levels were seen. Two patients were discharged after treatment. Death occurred in one patient who was diagnosed with fulminant hepatitis of unknown cause. This human case series study supports prior knowledge that hepatotoxicity can occur by inhaling humidifier disinfectant.
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