ABSTRACT
To assess the possible use of hyaluronic acid [HA] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] together as a biochemical marker of liver damage in mushroom poisoning [MP]. We prospectively studied patients with MP who were admitted to the emergency service, between April 2005 and April 2007, Samsun, Turkey. Twenty-seven patients with MP were included in the study. Serum HA and IL-6 levels of the patients were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay daily for a total of 3 days. Ten healthy adults were included in the study to serve as controls. The patients were divided into survivors, and non-survivors. There was no significant difference between the patients and controls with respect to serum HA levels on admission [p > 0.05]. However, IL-6 levels on admission were significantly higher in the patients than the control group [p < 0.01]. Serum HA and IL-6 levels on admission, and the following days were significantly higher in non-surviving patients [n = 5] than in surviving patients [n = 22] [p < 0.05]. There was a significant correlation between HA and IL-6 [r = 0.42, p < 0.05] on admission. The HA concentration was also significantly correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine levels during the observation period. Serum HA and IL-6 levels increased in non-surviving patients throughout the period of observation. Increased serum HA and IL-6 levels are associated with hepatic damage in acute MP. Hyaluronic acid may be a useful marker in the assessment of MP-induced acute liver failure in clinical practice