A Case of Toxic Hepatitis after the Exposure of Dimethylformamide

ABSTRACT

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a major solvent predominately used in synthetic leather and electrical equipment production. The effects of DMF exposure in humans are not well known or documented in the medical literature. We present a case of an electrical factory worker who underwent frequent exposure to DMF while making film. The patient complained of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and presented with hepatotoxicity serologic evaluation consistent with prior reports in people exposed to DMF. The possibility of viral, drug induced and alcoholic hepatitis were ruled out from his history and serological studies. The patient was eventually diagnosed as having a DMF induced toxic hepatitis and was managed with supportive care and hepatotonics. The clinical presentation and management of DMF induced toxic hepatitis were reviewed with the current literature.