Furazolidone-induced pulmonary hypersensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of pulmonary hypersensitivity associated with furazolidone use and review the literature on this topic.


METHODS
A 43-year-old white female presented with fever and dyspnea. She had recently completed a course of furazolidone 125 mg 4 times daily for 10 days for enteritis. Investigations revealed bibasilar interstitial infiltrates on chest X-ray, hypoxia, and 21% eosinophilia. Her fever, hypoxia, and dyspnea rapidly abated following discontinuation of furazolidone and administration of corticosteroids.


CONCLUSIONS
Furazolidone is a bactericidal agent used to treat infectious enteropathies. It is chemically similar to nitrofurantoin, which is well known to cause pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions. Application of the Naranjo probability scale suggests that a furazolidone adverse reaction in this patient was probable. A MEDLINE search from 1966 to October 2004 revealed 2 previously reported cases suggestive of furazolidone pulmonary hypersensitivity. All published reports closely resemble each other and descriptions of nitrofurantoin-associated pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Furazolidone may induce pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions; clinicians should be aware of this potentially serious adverse effect.
Kowalski
Todd J
TJ
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Kowalski.Todd@Mayo.edu
Henry
Michael J
MJ
Zlabek
Jonathan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005664:Furazolidone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D005664:Furazolidone