22 September 2016
: Case report
Ciprofloxacin Exposure Leading to Fatal Hepatotoxicity: An Unusual Correlation
Unusual clinical course, Challenging differential diagnosis, Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Unexpected drug reaction, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Carly UngerABCDEF, Layth S. Al-JashaamiAEFGDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.899080
Am J Case Rep 2016; 17:676-681
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ciprofloxacin is a commonly used fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It is occasionally associated with benign elevations in liver enzymes. Few reports in the literature correlate ciprofloxacin with significant liver injury. We present a fatal case of ciprofloxacin-induced liver failure.
CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old female was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection (UTI), but immediately began having new-onset symptoms, including fatigue and nausea. This continued for two months, at which time she presented to the hospital; she was found to have elevated liver enzymes and another UTI. She was treated with ciprofloxacin again for UTI and discharged three days later, following mild improvement. One week later, she returned to another hospital and was found to have more significantly elevated liver function tests and jaundice. Extensive viral and autoimmune panels were unremarkable. Liver biopsy showed cholestatic hepatitis of unclear etiology. The patient was discharged again following a mild decline in liver enzymes. Soon after, the patient was admitted to our institution with similar complaints. Serum transaminases remained elevated, with an increase in alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences/the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (CIOMS/RUCAM) scale was found to be 8, outlining a high or definite probability that the ciprofloxacin was the cause of the patient’s hepatotoxicity. A one-week course of prednisone for possible hypersensitivity reaction was tried; however, it proved unsuccessful. Palliative care was consulted, and the patient passed away shortly thereafter.
CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the potential for liver failure from ciprofloxacin. Clinicians should evaluate the possibility of ciprofloxacin-induced hepatotoxicity in a patient presenting with liver injury of unknown etiology. Similarly, it is important to consider this significant effect when a practitioner considers antibiotic choice.
Keywords: Ciprofloxacin, drug-induced liver injury, Liver Failure, Acute
In Press
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.945747
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.945539
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.945795
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.946588
Most Viewed Current Articles
21 Jun 2024 : Case report
88,518
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.944371
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e944371
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
50,005
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
20 Nov 2023 : Case report
25,154
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.941424
Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e941424
18 Feb 2024 : Case report
22,640
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943030
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943030