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Liver pathology in hycanthone hepatitis
1Anatomic Pathology Department, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033.
Insights
Hycanthone treatment for schistosomiasis can cause toxic hepatitis with massive liver necrosis. Some patients recover, but chronic liver changes may persist.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
- Pathology
Background:
- Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting millions worldwide.
- Hycanthone is an antischistosomal drug.
- Drug-induced liver injury is a significant clinical concern.
Observation:
- Histological examination of liver tissue from patients treated with hycanthone revealed toxic hepatitis.
- Massive hepatic necrosis, acidophil bodies, and fatty changes were observed.
- Two patients showed features of schistosomal granulomatous hepatitis.
Findings:
- Hycanthone induced toxic hepatitis with massive hepatic necrosis in patients.
- Confluent necrosis and early fibrosis were noted in one patient.
- A patient with prior hycanthone hepatitis showed recovery with chronic persistent hepatitis features.
Implications:
- Hycanthone can cause severe liver injury, including toxic hepatitis and necrosis.
- Long-term liver damage and fibrosis are potential outcomes.
- Monitoring liver function is crucial in patients treated with hycanthone.
Abstract:
Histological examination of liver tissue from 3 patients who died 6, 4, and 9 days, respectively, after an intramuscular injection of 3 +/- 0.5 mg of hycanthone per kg of body weight for schistosomiasis, showed features of a toxic hepatitis with massive hepatic necrosis, many acidophil bodies and minimal inflammatory response in 2 patients, and confluent necrosis with early fibrosis in 1. Liver cells showed prominent fatty change. The former 2 patients had evidence of schistosomal granulomatous hepatitis. A follow-up liver biopsy in a 4th patient who had had hycanthone hepatitis with liver failure 1 year before showed good recovery with features of chronic persistent hepatitis.
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