A Case of Hepatitis after Occupational Exposure of Trichloethylene

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 5(1); 1999 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 1999;5(1): 59-64.

Trichloroethylene에 의한 급성간염 1예 ( A Case of Hepatitis after Occupational Exposure of Trichloethylene )

A Case of Hepatitis after Occupational Exposure of Trichloethylene

Hee Bok Chae, M.D., Jin A Kim, M.D., Kyoung Soo Lee, M.D., Seon Mi Park, M.D., Tae Young Yoon, M.D.,* and Sei Jin Youn, M.D.

Department of Internal M edicine and Dermatology*, Chungbuk National Univers ity College of Medicine, Cheong ju, Korea

ABSTRACT

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is currently used as a degreasing agent in the jewelry manufacturing industry. The characteristic sign arising after the exposure of TCE are hepatitis and contact dermatitis. The incidence of toxicity is relatively rare, therefore, the mechanism of occurrence is considered as hypersensitivity. A previously healthy 21-year-old male began to work at jewelry industry. The solvent used in that place was TCE. Over the next month, he experienced symptoms of weakness, fever, dry skin, red rash and bumps, peeling face, and jaundice. At that time, he had marked liver enzyme elevation with evidence of cholestasis. After two weeks of avoidance of TCE exposure, his liver enzymes showed a marked reduction in ALT from a peak of 1132 to 131 IU/L. The total bilirubin reduced from 9.3 to 4.6 mg/dL. Tests for hepatitis A, B, and C, CMV, HIV were all negative. The patch test showed primary irritant reaction to TCE and its metabolite, trichloroethanol. This is the second report of TCE induced hepatotoxicity in Korea. We consider this case as a TCE induced hepatotoxicity due to possibly hypersensitivity mechanism. (Korean J Hepatol 1999;5:59－64)

KeyWords: Trichloroethylene, Hepatotoxicity, Contact dermatitis