[A case of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome].
The Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a recently described clinical entity consisting of severe myalgia and eosinophilia that has ascribed to the ingestion of the amino acid L-tryptophan. Over 1500 cases of EMS have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control of United States as of June 1990. We report a case of EMS associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan. A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to severe myalgia. She had swelling on extremities and eosinophilia (1880/mm3). Full thickness biopsy of affected portion showed inflammation of fascia with eosinophils and histiocytes, which were compatible with eosinophilic fasciitis. She had a history of ingestion of fitness protein tablets bought at Hawaii for 3 months from Sep. to Dec. 1989, which contained the amino acid L-tryptophan. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed her as EMS. It is suggested that this case is rare and important in Japan.
Ishikawa
A
A
School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Kanagawa.
Akahosi
T
T
Okada
J
J
Kondo
H
H
Kasiwazaki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014364:Tryptophan