Eosinophilic fasciitis associated with L-tryptophan ingestion

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 55 - 56
• Main Author: Hamilton, M E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01-01-1991; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Arm - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Eosinophilia - chemically induced; Eosinophilia - pathology; Fasciitis - chemically induced; Fasciitis - pathology; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Toxicity: skin, dermoskeleton; Tryptophan - adverse effects; Human; Case study; Skin disease; Toxicity; Systemic disease; Tryptophan; Woman; Eosinophil; Fasciitis
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.50.1.55

A 62 year old woman taking L-tryptophan developed eosinophilic fasciitis shortly after starting an exercise class. She received prednisone without benefit but improved after azathioprine treatment was started and L-tryptophan was discontinued. As products containing L-tryptophan have recently been implicated in development of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome it is suggested that the use of L-tryptophan might have contributed to the development of eosinophilic fasciitis in this patient. Similarities with toxic oil syndrome are noted. Additional studies are warranted to determine the prevalence of L-tryptophan ingestion among patients diagnosed as having eosinophilic fasciitis.