Case Report
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2005; 11(14): 2200-2202
Published online Apr 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i14.2200
Etiological role of brucellosis in autoimmune hepatitis
Colakoglu Onder, Taskiran Bengur, Adnan Kirci, Tunakan Mine, Buyrac Zafer, Unsal Belkis, Aksoz Kadir, Yorukoglu Gazi
Colakoglu Onder, Adnan Kirci, Buyrac Zafer, Unsal Belkis, Aksoz Kadir, Yorukoglu Gazi, Clinics of Gastroenterology, Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Taskiran Bengur, 3rd Clinics of Internal Medicine, Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Tunakan Mine, Department of Pathology, Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Authors Have no Financial or Other Relationship that Might Lead to a Conflict of Interest
Correspondence to: Dr. Taskiran Bengur, Asit mah. 7 aralik sokak Yimenicioglu apt. No. 20/3 79106, Kilis, Turkey. barbe7426@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-532-7015605
Received: September 20, 2004
Revised: September 21, 2004
Accepted: November 23, 2004
Published online: April 14, 2005
Abstract

To show that brucellosis may trigger autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), in addition to nonspecific liver involvement and toxic hepatitis, due to a class effect of tetracycline family used for treatment. We present a female patient admitted to our hospital due to partially improved fatigue and elevated liver enzymes following doxycycline and streptomycin usage for brucellosis. Brucellosis is endemic in our country, Turkey. It may involve any organ in the body. Liver is frequently involved. Doxycycline used for treatment occasionally may lead to hepatotoxicity. AIH is a necroinflammatory disease of the liver. Certain drugs (e.g., minocycline), toxins, and viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, EBV, etc.) can trigger AIH. Only one case of AIH probably caused by doxycycline and brucellosis was reported. We discuss the relationship between brucellosis, AIH, and hepatotoxicity of doxycycline. Brucellosis may trigger AIH.

Keywords: Brucellosis; Autoimmune hepatitis; Doxycycline