1Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Osp. Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
2Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, IRCCS Osp. Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
3Pavia Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre - Toxicology Unit, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
4Hepatobiliopancreatic and Liver transplant Surgery Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
*Corresponding author: Borro Paolo, Hepatobiliopancreatic and Liver transplant Surgery Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
Submission: April 28, 2022; Published: May 10, 2022
ISSN 2637-7632Volume7 Issue1
Background: Kombucha is a fermented tea commonly consumed for its supposed health benefits. However, some cases of toxicity are reported. To our knowledge there are no case reports of cholestasis.
Case Report: A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for jaundice. Initially abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. We performed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with gallstones removal and sphincterotomy, without any benefit on jaundice. After excluding all etiologies, a toxicological history revealed the consumption of Kombucha tea about three weeks before hospitalization. We started therapy with a high-dosage of N-acetylcysteine (300mg/kg, i.v.), Ursodeoxycholic acid-UDCA (15mg/kg) and fluids for 14 days. A progressive reduction of liver tests was shown.
Conclusion: Kombucha tea is widely used and it should be considered as a potential Drug-Induced Cholestasis (DIC)as well as some drugs or herbal supplementations.
Keywords: Kombucha; Liver injury; Cholestasis; Case report
Abbreviations: AST: Aspartate Aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine Aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline Phosphatase; gGT: Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase, WBC: White Blood Cells; Hb: Hemoglobin; ERCP: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography; MRCP: Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography