Different course and management of khat-induced autoimmune hepatitis: report on three cases
  • Ali Someili
    Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Keywords

Khat, catha edulis, autoimmune hepatitis

Abstract

Khat is a plant that is commonly used for its stimulating effects and is chewed for its psychoactive properties. It creates feelings of euphoria that are similar to when taking amphetamines. There is an association between khat and liver injury, but the mechanism is not well known. We present three cases of khat-induced liver injury. All cases have elevated IgG and either positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA); each case has a different course and requires different management. One case improved only by stopping khat, one required a short course of steroids and the last case required treatment such as that for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

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    Published: 2024-05-27
    Issue: 2024: Vol 11 No 6 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Someili A. Different course and management of khat-induced autoimmune hepatitis: report on three cases. EJCRIM 2024;11 doi:10.12890/2024_004573.