title: Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan. A case report with pulmonary manifestations and review of the literature.
abstract: On October 1989, eosinophilia and incapacitating myalgia, together with arthralgia, dyspnea, cough and edema of the extremities, were shown to be associated with L-tryptophan ingestion. Since then, 1531 cases of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome have been reported in United States and 22 in Belgium. We report here the unusual pulmonary presentation of this syndrome with a dramatic response of eosinophilia to corticotherapy. The cardio-pulmonary symptoms of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and its pathophysiology, which remains unclear, are discussed. The withdrawal of the substance and corticotherapy generally lead to complete recovery although several deaths have been reported.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne, Clinique Notre-Dame, Charleroi.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Canon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Levecque
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dermine
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mortier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leveau
mesh_terms: D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan; D008775:Methylprednisolone