title: Interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary vasculitis in a patient taking an L-tryptophan preparation.
abstract: A case is presented of interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary vasculitis ascribed to the ingestion of an L-tryptophan preparation. An unintended rechallenge supported the causal relationship. There was neither myalgia nor peripheral eosinophilia. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contained 12% eosinophils but few were present in the surgical lung biopsy specimen. Lung infiltrates receded after withdrawal of the drug and treatment with steroids. Dyspnoea and pulmonary hypertension persisted. Cyclophosphamide had no effect. Sclerodermiform skin lesions appeared as a late sequel. Chromatographic analysis of the L-tryptophan revealed no suspect impurities.
authors.affiliation: Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Brugge, Belgium.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bogaerts
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Renterghem
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanvuchelen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Praet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Michielssen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blaton
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Willemot
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan