Acute hemorrhagic colitis induced by the oral administration of oseltamivir used for influenza A treatment

A 40-year-old woman with a history of bronchial asthma was diagnosed with influenza A using a rapid diagnosis kit. She began to experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hematochezia approximately 4 hours after a single capsule of oseltamivir had been administered. Colonoscopic findings indicated circumferential hemorrhagic colitis with longitudinal erosions in the descending colon, findings which mimicked those of ischemic colitis ([Fig. 1]). Histopathological analysis of the lesion showed the presence of mucosal hemorrhage and submucosal edema ([Fig. 2]). Stool culture showed normal flora. Discontinuation of the oseltamivir therapy was followed by an immediate improvement in the hemorrhagic colitis. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) yielded positive results for oseltamivir only, with negative results for the other drugs administered, which included clarithromycin and acetaminophen.

Fig. 1 Colonoscopic findings in the descending colon showing acute circumferential hemorrhagic colitis, with hemorrhage, edema, segmental erythema, and longitudinal erosion.

Fig. 2 Photomicrographs of the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained biopsy specimens from the descending colon showing: a mucosal hemorrhage and submucosal edema, magnification × 40; b mucosal hemorrhage, magnification × 400.

Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, plays a key role in the management of influenza. The most commonly reported adverse effect of oseltamivir is gastrointestinal discomfort [1] [2]. Oseltamivir-induced acute hemorrhagic colitis (OAHC) is very rare, and to the best of our knowledge, there has been only one case of OAHC reported in the literature in English [3]. However, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provided data on oseltamivir-linked gastrointestinal bleeding, and consequently, the summary of product characteristics for oseltamivir was modified in 2005 to include hemorrhagic colitis.

Matsushita et al. reported that ischemia might be involved in the pathogenesis of OAHC [3]. The colonoscopic findings in our patient, who had no other risk factors for ischemia, mimicked those of ischemic colitis. Toffler et al., in their report, attributed ischemia to allergic vasculitis [4]. The positive LTT results for our patient suggest that the OAHC was induced by drug allergy; however, the detailed mechanism that underlies OAHC has not been clarified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in English that details a case of OAHC with positive LTT results for oseltamivir. In conclusion, the risk of OAHC must be considered before prescribing the drug.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AD_2AJ

Competing interests: None

References

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• 2 Treanor J J, Hayden F G, Vrooman P S. Efficacy and safety of the oral neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir in treating acute influenza: a randomized controlled trial. US Oral Neuraminidase Study Group.  JAMA. 2000;  283 1016-1024
• 3 Matsushita M, Nishihara H, Nishiyama R, Kobayashi Y. Acute hemorrhagic colitis associated with oral administration of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza A.  J Infect Chemother. 2007;  13 267-269
• 4 Toffler R B, Pingoud E G, Burrell M I. Acute colitis related to penicillin and penicillin derivatives.  Lancet. 1978;  2 707-709