title: An eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome related disorder associated with exposure to L-5-hydroxytryptophan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) associated with eosinophiliamyalgia syndrome (EMS) like illness contains impurities in a fashion similar to that described in L-tryptophan associated with EMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Members of a family who became ill after exposure to L-5-HTP were evaluated at the National Institutes of Health. Data from patients with extended exposure to L-5-HTP were also examined. Samples of L-5-HTP were examined using high performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One member of the family had EMS, and 2 others had eosinophilia. No patient in the other group reviewed developed the syndrome, although 2 patients developed eosinophilia. The L-5-HTP used by the family contained an impurity not present in samples from the other patient group. After replacement with L-5-HTP not containing this impurity, eosinophilia in 2 family members resolved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some L-5-HTP contains impurities that may be related to L-5-HTP associated EMS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michelson
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Trucksess
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milstien
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Massaquoi
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Crofford
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan