A Case of Chronic Hepatitis C Acquired throughEar Piercing and Acupuncture.
- Author:
Jee Yeon RIM
1
;
Kyung Rye MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. krmoon@chosun.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C;
Acupuncture;
Ear piercing
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Acupuncture;
Animals;
Ankle;
Anorexia;
Biopsy;
Body Piercing;
Ear;
Fibrosis;
Hepatitis C;
Hepatitis C, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Humans;
Interferons;
Liver;
Nausea;
Needles;
Plasma;
Reference Values;
Ribavirin;
RNA;
Sprains and Strains;
Tattooing
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
2009;12(1):88-92
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Although transfusion of blood and plasma products are accepted as the principle means of transmission of HCV, other parenteral methods, such as acupuncture, tattooing needles, piercing, and surgery are possible methods of transmission of HCV. We managed a case of chronic hepatitis C acquired through ear piercing and acupuncture. A 10-year old girl presented with nausea, abdominal pain, and anorexia for 1 month. Her laboratory finding showed the following: AST/ALT, 865/1,290 IU/L; positive anti-HCV Ab; and HCV RNA. One year previously, she was treated with acupuncture for an ankle sprain and 2 years previously, she had her ears pierced. Laboratory findings of family members showed AST/ALT in the normal ranges, and negative anti-HCV Ab and HCV RNA. The pathologic findings of a liver biopsy revealed chronic hepatitis with mild lobular activity, moderate porto-periportal activity, and portal fibrosis. She was treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and oral ribavirin for 6 months, after which the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings improved.
