title: Penicillamine induced polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
abstract: Eight Australian cases of D-penicillamine induced polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) are reported. In terms of clinical, pathological and electromyographic features, D-penicillamine PM/DM is similar to idiopathic PM/DM but is generally less severe. Recovery is usually rapid when D-penicillamine is withdrawn. Sera were available for study in 6 of the 8 reported cases. Two of the 6 had elevated titers of acetylcholine receptor autoantibodies. Neither of these patients had clinical signs of myasthenia gravis. In 3 of 6 patients typed for C2, no bands were detected suggesting homozygous C2 deficiency. D-penicillamine PM/DM is associated with HLA-B18, B35 and DR4 and is immunogenetically different from idiopathic PM/DM, rheumatoid arthritis and D-penicillamine myasthenia gravis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D009220:Myositis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D010396:Penicillamine