Can genetic testing guide the therapy of cholestatic pruritus? A case of benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 with severe nasobiliary drainage-refractory itch

Abstract

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a peculiar familial disease caused by mutations of the genes encoding hepatocanalicular flippase for phosphatidylserine (ATP8B1; BRIC type 1) or the bile salt export pump (ABCB11; BRIC type 2). Here, we report on a patient with nasobiliary drainage-refractory BRIC type 2 who improved under plasma separation and anion absorption therapy. We also suggest that nasobiliary drainage might be an ineffective approach in carriers of severe loss-of-function mutations of the bile salt export pump ABCB11. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:152-154).