Abstract |
Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of hepatic copper metabolism with consequent copper accumulation and toxicity in many tissues and consequent hepatic, neurologic and psychiatric disorders. We report a case of Wilson's disease with chronic liver disease; moreover, in our patient, presenting also with high levels of state anxiety without depression, 99mTc-ECD-SPECT showed cortical hypoperfusion in frontal lobes, more marked on the left frontal lobe. During the follow-up of our patient, penicillamine was interrupted after the appearance of a lichenoid dermatitis, and zinc acetate permitted to continue the successful treatment of the patient without side-effects. In our case the therapy with zinc acetate represented an effective treatment for a Wilson's disease patient in which penicillamine-related side effects appeared. The safety of the zinc acetate allowed us to avoid other potentially toxic chelating drugs; this observation is in line with the growing evidence on the efficacy of the drug in the treatment of Wilson's disease. Since most of Wilson's disease penicillamine-treated patients do not seem to develop this skin lesion, it could be conceivable that a specific genetic factor is involved in drug response. Further studies are needed for a better clarification of Wilson's disease therapy, and in particular to differentiate specific therapies for different Wilson's disease phenotypes.
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Authors | L Leggio, A Ferrulli, A Mirijello, L Abenavoli, D Di Giuda, S Funiciello, M Rotoli, G Gasbarrini, G Addolorato |
Journal | International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology
(Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol)
2007 Jan-Mar
Vol. 20
Issue 1
Pg. 185-90
ISSN: 0394-6320 [Print] England |
PMID | 17346443
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Letter)
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Chemical References |
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Astringents
- Zinc Acetate
- Penicillamine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antirheumatic Agents
(adverse effects)
- Anxiety
(complications, psychology)
- Astringents
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Hepatolenticular Degeneration
(complications, diagnostic imaging, psychology)
- Humans
- Lichenoid Eruptions
(chemically induced, drug therapy)
- Liver Diseases
(complications)
- Liver Function Tests
- Penicillamine
(adverse effects)
- Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
- Zinc Acetate
(therapeutic use)
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