Antibiotic-associated acute vanishing bile duct syndrome: a pattern associated with severe, prolonged, intrahepatic cholestasis

J Hepatol. 1994 Jan;20(1):112-6. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(05)80476-3.

Abstract

We report cases of amoxycillin- and flucloxacillin-induced liver damage associated with an acute vanishing bile duct syndrome. Ductopenia was present at the time of first liver biopsy, 3 weeks and 3 months after administration of the two drugs, respectively. Ductopenia apparently occurred as the primary lesion, with no evidence of accompanying portal tract inflammation. Subsequent biopsies showed a persistent paucity of ducts, accompanied by increasing features of chronic cholestasis. Biochemical dysfunction persists at 2 year's follow-up and late prognosis remains guarded.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Adult
  • Amoxicillin / adverse effects*
  • Amoxicillin / therapeutic use
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / drug effects*
  • Biopsy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / chemically induced*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Female
  • Floxacillin / adverse effects*
  • Floxacillin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy

Substances

  • Floxacillin
  • Amoxicillin