Reactions 1396 - 7 Apr 2012

SCoptis

Interstitial pneumonitis and acute liver injury:case report

A 54-year-old man developed interstitial pneumonitisand acute liver injury during treatment with a herbalmedicine, of which the main component was Coptisjaponica Makino [golden thread].

The man commenced a herbal medicine containingCoptis japonica Makino in an effort to improve his bloodcirculation and heart function [route and dosage notstated]. Two weeks later, he developed dyspnoea, coughand chills, and stopped taking the herbal medicine. Hissymptoms subsequently improved and he resumedtreatment, but his symptoms returned 3 days later, and hepresented to the emergency department. Liver functiontests were mildly abnormal, and chest imaging,bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsies were performed.He was diagnosed with interstitial pneumonitis and acuteliver injury due to the herbal medicine. Coptis japonicaMakino was withdrawn, and the man’s liver function hadnormalised by hospital day 6. On hospital day 7,prednisolone was started. Three days later, his symptomsimproved and he was free of dyspnoea at discharge. After6 months’ follow-up, he had experienced no furthercomplaints.Jhun BW, et al. A case of interstitial pneumonitis with acute live injury caused byherbal medicine made from golden thread. Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases71: 470-475, No. 6, 30 Dec 2011. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4046/trd.2011.71.6.470 [Korean; summarised from a translation] - SouthKorea 803068799

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Reactions 7 Apr 2012 No. 13960114-9954/10/1396-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved