[Eosinophilic lung infiltration during malaria prophylaxis with pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar)]

The case is reported of a 40-year-old woman who developed an eosinophilic lung infiltration during malaria prophylaxis with pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar). The patient had a severe condition with cough, fever, chills, dyspnea, weight loss and an unusual but characteristic radiologic picture. Corticosteroid medication was followed by a dramatic improvement in symptoms and complete resolution of the radiographic opacities within a few days. There was no recurrence after cessation of steroids. The authors believe that the cause of this lung disease was an allergic reaction to pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar). Some aspects of drug-induced eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrations are discussed.