Hepatotoxicity after paracetamol overdose in a patient with cystic fibrosis despite early acetylcysteine and utility of microRNA to predict hepatotoxicity

Anselm Wong, Benjamin Cheung, Charlotte Nejad, Michael Gantier, Andis Graudins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleOtherpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Case details: A 19-year-old girl presented to the emergency department following overdose of 10 g of paracetamol on a background history of cystic fibrosis. Paracetamol concentration was below the nomogram line, but was treated with acetylcysteine seven hours post-overdose given her symptomatology. Nineteen hours following her overdose she developed hepatotoxicity, despite early initiation of acetylcysteine. She was discharged well six days post-ingestion. On presentation, delta miRNA-122-miR483 was 20 times that of control patients, however, alanine aminotransferase was normal. Discussion: Patients with cystic fibrosis are more likely to have glutathione deficiency, and greater susceptibility to liver injury. Delta miRNA may be a better detector of early liver injury than hepatic aminotransferases. Empiric treatment with acetylcysteine and serial biochemical reassessment in this setting should be considered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)904–906
Number of pages3
JournalClinical Toxicology
Volume56
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • Acetaminophen
  • liver injury
  • nomogram
  • risk assessment

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