Characteristics of clometacin-induced hepatitis with special reference to the presence of anti-actin cable antibodies

Autoimmunity. 1989;2(3):213-21. doi: 10.3109/08916938909014685.

Abstract

The clinical, biochemical, histopathological and immunological features of 30 cases of clometacin-induced hepatitis are described. The age range of the patients was 32-84 years with a notable female predominance of 29:1. The hepatitis was highly cytolytic with high values of transaminases but with little or no cholestasis. Gammaglobulins were higher than 18 g/l in 73% of the cases. 25 liver biopsies were performed and showed acute hepatitis with a predominant centrilobular necrosis in 17; chronic aggressive hepatitis was noted in 8 cases but 1 showed concomitant cirrhotic changes. Anti-tissue antibodies were looked for in all cases. Anti-smooth muscle antibodies of anti-actin cable type (titre 1/80 to 1/2, 560) were detected in 19 cases, anti-nucleus antibodies in 16 cases which were associated to the former in 14 cases. The above findings show that clometacin produces a hepatitis syndrome quite akin to autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (lupoid hepatitis) and to the hepatopathy induced by oxyphenisatin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / immunology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics / adverse effects
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / chemically induced
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / immunology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / chemically induced
  • Indoleacetic Acids / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth / immunology
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Actins
  • Analgesics
  • Autoantibodies
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • clometacin