title: Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and tryptophan production: a cautionary tale.
abstract: An epidemic of a new disease, termed eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, occurred in the USA in 1989. This syndrome was linked to the consumption of L-tryptophan manufactured by a single company utilizing a fermentation process. All the findings indicate that the illness was probably triggered by an impurity formed when the manufacturing conditions were modified. This outbreak highlights the need for close monitoring of the chemical purity of biotechnology-derived products, and for rigorous testing of such products following any significant changes to the manufacturing process.
authors.affiliation: Allergic Diseases Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mayeno
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gleich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004340:Drug Contamination; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000633:toxicity; D011159:Population Surveillance; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D012307:Risk Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000138:chemical synthesis
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D014364:Tryptophan