What is it about?

Blockage of the liver's tiny veins known as hepatic venous-occlusive disease results in 20–50% mortality. The most frequent causes are radiation therapy, pyrrolizidine alkaloid plant ingestion, and post-bone marrow transplant responses. In the Tigrayan area of Tahtay Koraro, a venous-occlusive disease epidemic was discovered in 2002. Suspected to have consumed the poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloid plant Ageratum conyzoids, which is widespread in the neighborhood.

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Why is it important?

Hepatic venous-occlusive disease  caused by carelessly harvesting grain crops along with wild weeds. The case fatality rate in this study was 46.3%. 2,746 years might have been lost to the disease-related mortality. This shows the disease's extent of influence. Hence, this study attempted to demonstrate the severity of the illness.

Perspectives

Even though the plant was widespread, Tahtay Koraro's Kelakil community was more affected, raising further doubts about it.

Mrs Kissanet Weldearegay Tesfay
Mekelle University

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This page is a summary of: Health impact of hepatic-venous-occlusive disease in a small town in Ethiopia—Case study from Tahtay koraro district in Tigray region, 2017, PLoS ONE, November 2019, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224659.
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