title: [Pneumonitis as a complication of low-dose methotrexate therapy in chronic polyarthritis].
abstract: Pneumonitis has been reported to be a rare complication of low-dose MTX treatment. This paper describes a 62-year-old male patient in whom clinically successful low-dose treatment was applied. After six months of treatment, a gradually progressive pulmonary symptomatology developed and abruptly deteriorated. Radiological examination revealed interstitial and intra-alveolar densifications; functional analysis revealed partial respiratory failure. The histological finding of interstitial lymphocytic infiltration with giant cells and a chronic intra-alveolar pneumonia, with bacteriological detection of E. coli and Proteus vulg. in the BAL fluid, confirmed the suspected diagnosis of primary MTX-induced pneumonitis with secondary bacterial superinfection. In view of the fact that the literature does not seem to contain unequivocal definition, it is urgently recommended that unequivocal criteria be established.
authors.affiliation: Rheumaklinik, EVK, Ratingen.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rau
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate
vernacular_title: Pneumonitis als Komplikation einer niedrigdosierten Methotrexattherapie bei chronischer Polyarthritis.