Severe alcoholic hepatitis with extremely high neutrophil count successfully treated by granulocytapheresis

Intern Med. 2006;45(3):155-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1456. Epub 2006 Mar 1.

Abstract

We report a severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) patient with an extremely high WBC count, high serum bilirubin and low prothrombin time (PT) successfully treated with granulocytapheresis. After neutrophil-elastase inhibitor failed to reduce WBC count, methylprednisolone pulse therapy was performed. However, WBC count continued to be elevated to 97,190/microl (neutrophils 97.0%) despite improvement of total bilirubin and PT. After 5 sessions of granulocytapheresis and ulinastatin administration, increased serum IL-6, IL-8, neutrophil-elastase and WBC count gradually decreased. We could conclude that granulocytapheresis and ulinastatin can be very effective in reducing cytokines and neutrophil-elastase, and in improving the general status of SAH patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / therapeutic use
  • Granulocytes*
  • Hepatitis, Alcoholic / blood
  • Hepatitis, Alcoholic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Leukapheresis*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Trypsin Inhibitors
  • urinastatin