Hepatotoxicity After Exposure to Tebuconazole: A Case Report and Brief Review

A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of productive cough, anorexia, and sweating from two weeks ago. Laboratory studies revealed an increased level of liver enzymes. The work-up of serological markers was negative for both infectious and non-infectious causes of hepatitis. He denied smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational exposures, and illicit drug use. Interestingly, he had a history of contact with an antifungal toxin called tebuconazole about 15 days before admission. In toxicological examinations using gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector, the cause of poisoning was revealed to be fungicide tebuconazole. To confirm the causal relationship between toxin and hepatitis, exposure avoidance and repeated testing were considered. Complete recovery was achieved in all clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. We suggest that tebuconazole-induced hepatitis should be considered in farmers exposed to this fungicide.