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Dubin-Johnson Syndrome, Diagnosis

October 28, 2022Chemical pathologyLab Tests

Table of Contents

  • Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
        • Sample for Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
      • Definition of Dubin-johnson syndrome
      • Pathophysiology of Dubin-johnson syndrome
      • Signs and symptoms of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
      • Risk factors that increase jaundice:
      • Diagnosis of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
        • Summary of Dubin-Johnson syndrome
      • Treatment of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome
        • The outcome of the disease
      • Questions and answers:

Dubin-Johnson Syndrome

Sample for Dubin-Johnson Syndrome

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

Definition of 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

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. Mostly the patients are asymptomatic.

Risk factors that increase jaundice:

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

Diagnosis of 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 pigments 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

Treatment of 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 which leads to an increase in the bilirubin level.
  • Phenobarbitone was used but is not now recommended.

The outcome of the disease

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

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.

Add Comment Cancel


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