Acute hepatitis in a patient given cyclosporin for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporin is used for the treatment of corticosteroid-resista nt inflammatory bowel disease. Secondary liver disease is a risk. CASE REPORT: Acute hepatitis with predominant major transaminase elevation occurred in a patient treated with cyclosporin for corticosteroid-resistant Crohnis disease. No viral, alcoholic, autoimmune or metabolic cause could be incriminated. Complete cure was achieved after withdrawal of cyclosporin . DISCUSSION: Only one case of cholestatic hepatitis has been reported in chr onic inflammatory bowel disease. Cyclosporin was the probable cause in our case as other causes of acute hepatitis were ruled out and withdrawal led t o cure. Cyclosporin can induce abnormal liver tests in 25% of cases. If red ucing dose does not lead to improvement, it may be necessary to discontinue cyclosporin. Regular liver tests would thus be required for patients given cyclosporin for chronic inflammatory bower disease.