Etiopathogenic and Therapeutic Considerations in a Multiple Sclerosis Case with Acute Toxic Hepatitis.

Background and Clinical Significance: In multiple sclerosis (MS), there are many therapeutic options, but most of the available drugs can cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) after the first infusions. A wide group of other drugs may induce liver injury, from simple anti-pyretic medication like Acetaminophen to various dietary herb supplements like Ashwagandha. Case Presentation: A 39-year-old female patient, diagnosed with MS, has been previously treated with Glatiramer Acetate and interferon-beta, and is currently undergoing immunomodulatory treatment with natalizumab (infusion no. 81). She had a recent history of an airway infection for which she took 4-5 capsules of Acetaminophen per day for 7 days, along with the consumption of dietary supplement with Ashwagandha herb. She presented with jaundice, pruritus, and lower limb ecchymoses. The laboratory results revealed higher aminotransferase levels, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The screening for autoimmune and infectious hepatitis was negative. The scenario of toxic hepatitis induced by recently used drugs (Ashwagandha dietary herb supplement and Acetaminophen) was adequate to start therapy with oral cortisone. The clinical and laboratory results gradually improved, with normal levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, with no further increase after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy and dietary herb supplements.

Conclusions

This case highlights the challenges in determining the multiple etiologies and managing acute liver injury in an MS patient on natalizumab, an immunomodulatory drug that can induce liver injury after the first infusions, especially in the context of recent ingestion of hepatotoxic drugs.