Acute Liver Injury Associated with Khat Use in a 24-Year-Old Male. (21st November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waters, Mara; Oxner, Adam; Krajden, Sigmund; Sultanian, Richard
• Other Names: Deutsch Melanie Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in hepatology. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-11-21
• Subjects: Liver -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases; Liver; Liver; Liver -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.36
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/2816907
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6587

Abstract

Abstract : Chewing khat leaves ( Catha edulis ) is common cultural practice in Eastern African countries. Khat has been implicated in cases of acute liver injury, sometimes leading to liver failure and requiring transplantation. We report the case of a 24-year-old gentleman presenting with symptoms of acute liver failure. Bloodwork demonstrated hepatocyte-predominant liver injury. Microbiological and serological hepatitis panels were negative, and his liver biopsy demonstrated acute cholestatic hepatitis. He admitted to regular khat use for several years prior to his presentation. His liver function tests improved with cessation of khat use. This is the first reported case of acute khat-associated hepatitis in Canada. Considering cultural practices such as khat chewing in presentations of acute liver injury are important when caring for diverse patient populations.