[Tienilic acid as a likely cause of "auto immune" active hepatitis (author's transl)]

A 68 years old, non-alcoholic woman, with a history of viral hepatitis 40 years before, developed jaundice. Liver biopsy showed histological evidence of activity. HB virus markers were found to be lacking on two successive tests. Immunological investigations gave negative results, except for the presence of liver/kidney microsomal auto-antibodies. Systemic and portal blood eosinophilia suggested a drug-induced disease. The patient was being treated with sodium dioctyl-sulfosuccinate + dantrone and tienilic acid. Two months after these drugs were withdrawn her condition improved; she put on weight and serum transaminases, measured on two occasions, had returned to normal levels.