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Dubin-Johnson Syndrome, Diagnosis

November 6, 2023Chemical pathologyLab Tests

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
        • What sample is needed for Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
        • How will you define Dubin-Johnson syndrome?
      • Pathophysiology of Dubin-johnson syndrome
      • What are the Signs and symptoms of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
      • What are the Risk factors that increase jaundice?
      • How will you Diagnose Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
        • Summary of Dubin-Johnson syndrome
      • How will you Treat Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
        • What is the outcome of Dubon-Johson syndrome? 
        • How will you describe different types of inherited jaundice?
      • Questions and answers:

Dubin-Johnson Syndrome

What sample is needed for Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?

  1. Blood is needed to get the serum.
  2. A random sample can be taken.

How will you define Dubin-Johnson syndrome?

  • Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJ) is a benign condition and looks like mild viral hepatitis.
  • It is characterized by mild recurrent jaundice with hepatomegaly.

Pathophysiology of Dubin-johnson syndrome

  1. This is a rare genetic autosomal recessive disorder (chromosome 10q24).
  2. This is due to the inability to transport bilirubin-diglucuronide through the parenchymal hepatic cells into bile canaliculi.
  3. This is a defect in the canalicular multispecific organic anion transport associated with increased plasma-conjugated bilirubin.
Dubin Johnson syndrome

Dubin Johnson syndrome pathogenesis

  1. There is mild jaundice with a total bilirubin of 2 to 5 mg/dL.
  2. The liver has intense dark pigmentation due to the accumulation of lipofuscin pigment.
  3. While the conjugation of bilirubin is regular.
Dubin-Johnson syndrome pathogenesis

Dubin-Johnson syndrome pathogenesis

What are the Signs and symptoms of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?

  1. There is a yellowness of the eyes and skin due to hyperbilirubinemia.
  2. Mild jaundice, which may not appear until puberty or adulthood, is the only symptom of Dubin-Johnson syndrome.
  3. The jaundice is nonpruritic.
  4. Most of the patients are asymptomatic.

What are the Risk factors that increase jaundice?

  1. Infection.
  2. Pregnancy.
  3. Birth control pills.
  4. Use of alcohol.
  5. Environmental factors that may affect the liver.

How will you Diagnose Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?

  1. Serum bilirubin is raised (maybe 3 to 10 mg/ 100 ml). Approximately 50% is indirect bilirubin.
  2. Serum SGOT and SGPT (ALT, AST)  are normal.
  3. Urine contains bile and urobilinogen.
  4. A liver biopsy shows plenty of yellow or black pigments in the hepatocytes and gives the liver a black appearance.
  5. Cholecystography shows the absence of the gallbladder.

Summary of Dubin-Johnson syndrome

Clinical features Dubin-johnson syndrome features
Incidence Uncommon
Inheritance method Autosomal recessive (chromosome 10q24)
Pathogenesis There is impaired biliary excretion of conjugated bilirubin
Clinical signs and symptoms
  1. Asymptomatic jaundice in young adults
  2. Mild chronic, recurrent jaundice
  3. May have right upper quadrant pain
  4. May have hepatomegaly
  5. Compensated except for periods of stress
  6. jaundice may be due to estrogens, birth control tablets, and the last  trimester of pregnancy
Serum bilirubin
  1. Total = 2 to 7 mg/dL (1.5 to 6.0 mg/dL) and rarely <25 mg/dL
  2. Direct = ∼60%
Liver function tests Normal except bilirubin
Age at the onset of jaundice Childhood and adolescence
BSP test (Impaired excretion of the dye)
  1.  It is delayed
  2. There is an initial rapid fall, then a rise in 45 minutes (normal) increased at 90 and 120 minutes, which is characteristic.
Orla cholecystography The gallbladder is usually not visualized
Liver biopsy
  1. There are characteristic pigments, yellow-brown or slate-black pigments (black liver)
  2. Pigments are present in the centrilobular area and a small amount in kupffer cells.
Prognosis Usually not bad (Not shorten the life)
Treatment Not needed

How will you Treat Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?

  • This is a benign disease and does not need any specific treatment.
  • This patient should be given a warning for follow-up in case of pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and any illness that leads to an increase in the bilirubin level.
  • Phenobarbitone was used but is not now recommended.

What is the outcome of Dubon-Johson syndrome? 

  • The picture is not gloomy and does not shorten the patient’s lifespan.

How will you describe different types of inherited jaundice?

Clinical parameters Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia Conjugated Hyperbilirubinemia
Gilbert’s disease Type 1 Criggler-Najjar Type II Criggler-Najjar syndrome Rotor’s syndrome Dubon-Jhonson syndrome
Inherited mode Autosomal dominant Autosomal recessive Autosomal dominant Autosomal recessive Autosomal recessive
Incidence <7% of the population Very rare Uncommon Rare Uncommon
Age at onset In adolescence In infancy
  1. In childhood
  2. Adolescence
Early adulthood
  1. Childhood
  2. Adolescence
Pathogenesis Glucoronyl transferase  enzyme deficiency (GTE) GTE decreased Marked decrease Impaired conj. bilirubin excretion Impaired cong. bilirubin excretion
Bilirubin level
  1. Mostly indirect
  2. Decreased in fasting
Mainly indirect Mainly indirect
  1. Direct around 60%
  2. 2 to 7  and ≤20
  1. Direct around 60%
  2. 2 to 7 and ≤25
Clinical signs/symptoms
  1. Appear in early adulthood
  2. Mostly found in fasting
  3. Hemolysis is seen in ≤40%
  1. Jaundice
  2. May see kernicterus in infants and young adults
  1. Asymptomatic jaundice
  2. Kernicterus is rarely seen
Asymptomatic jaundice in young adults Asymptomatic jaundice
Effect of phenobarbitone Decreased to normal There is no effect Marked decrease —– —–
BSP (Dye excretion) test May be mildly impaired in <40% of cases It is absent _____ Positive, Initial rapid fall and then rise in 40 to 90 minutes Positive, Slow clearance and no rise
Oral cholecyctography Normal Normal Normal Normal GB usually not visualized
Liver biopsy Normal —- —- No pigments Characteristic pigments
Treatment Not needed There is no treatment Not needed

Questions and answers:

Question 1: What is the mechanism of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
Show answer
Conjugated bilirubin can not be transported into the biliary system.
Question 2: What is the color of the liver in Dubin-Johnson Syndrome?
Show answer
It is black and not visualized on cholecystography.

Possible References Used
Go Back to Chemical pathology

Comments

vinoth Reply
September 7, 2021

hello,
Im vinoth kambli,
doctor was confirmed for me . i have a dubin johnson syndrome.
problems a matter is im not able to clear medical test for foreighn jobs in any country.
so,please reply….any solutions?

Dr. Riaz Reply
September 7, 2021

Please read my article.

Muha Reply
March 15, 2023

Hello,
I am Muha,
I have liver function test. I have elevated direct bilirubin (5.9 umol/l) and ALP (311 U/l). All other parameters (ALT, AST, GGT, TP, Albumin and total bilirubin) are normal. Abdominal (liver) ultrasound reveals no abnormalities. I have mild intermittent colic. I am not sure what is going on. My doctor said nothing to worry about. I appreciate if you could help me. Thank you

Dr. Riaz Reply
March 15, 2023

Have you checked the viral profile (HBV, HCV)? If there is only raised direct bilirubin, then the possibilities are hereditary hyperbilirubinemia. Mostly these are benign conditions. You can try the tab. Phenobarbitone or consult a physician about this drug. It will lower the bilirubin level.

Muha Reply
March 15, 2023

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I have checked for HCV in 2017 and it was negative. I have experienced an elevated ALP since I was 11 (16-year-old now). What is the tab?

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