Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan. A case report with pulmonary manifestations and review of the literature
André, M.; Canon, J.L.; Levecque, P.; Dermine, P.; Mortier, C.; Leveau, F.
Acta Clinica Belgica 46(3): 178-182
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 1784-3286 PMID: 1656679 Document Number: 375380
On October 1989, eosinophilia and incapacitating myalgia, together with arthralgia, dyspnea, cough and edema of the extremities, were shown to be associated with L-tryptophan ingestion. Since then, 1531 cases of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome have been reported in United States and 22 in Belgium. We report here the unusual pulmonary presentation of this syndrome with a dramatic response of eosinophilia to corticotherapy. The cardio-pulmonary symptoms of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and its pathophysiology, which remains unclear, are discussed. The withdrawal of the substance and corticotherapy generally lead to complete recovery although several deaths have been reported.