title: Tryptophan-associated eosinophilic connective-tissue disease. A new clinical entity?
abstract: Seven patients who developed a syndrome of eosinophilia, connective-tissue disease, and cutaneous abnormalities while ingesting tryptophan were examined. Other clinical manifestations commonly seen were pulmonary symptoms, fever, lymphadenopathy, and the development of myopathy. Laboratory features included mild elevations of aldolase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, with essentially normal creatine kinase levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and C-reactive protein levels. Biopsy findings included features of scleroderma, small-vessel vasculitis, fasciitis, and myopathy. Discontinuation of tryptophan administration and implementation of corticosteroid therapy were of some benefit in relieving the intense myalgias and cutaneous findings that developed. Although temporally related to tryptophan ingestion, it is unclear whether this substance, a metabolite, or a contaminant were causal. We speculate that the pathogenesis of this syndrome may relate to abnormalities in tryptophan metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Washington, DC 20007.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Clauw
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nashel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umhau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan