Khat-induced liver injuries: A report of two cases

Arab J Gastroenterol. 2016 Mar;17(1):45-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajg.2016.02.002. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Abstract

Khat is consumed for recreational purposes in many countries, including Yemen, where >50% of adults chew khat leaves regularly. A wide spectrum of khat-induced liver injuries has been reported in the literature. Herein, we report two patients with khat-induced liver injury. Both patients clinically presented with acute hepatitis, one of whom showed radiological evidence of hepatic outflow obstruction. Based on the histological tests, both patients had acute hepatitis, which indicated drug-induced liver injury (DILI) on a background of chronic hepatitis and portal fibrosis; of the two, one presented with symptoms of immune-mediated liver injury.

Keywords: Induced; Injury; Khat; Liver.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catha / adverse effects*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / immunology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Hepatitis / etiology*
  • Hepatitis / immunology
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plant Preparations / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Plant Preparations