[Acute eosinophilic pneumopathy induced by minocycline]

A 22-year-old patient was hospitalized for severe acute eosinophil pneumonia imputable to treatment with minocyclin chlorhydrate (Mynocine). Clinical manifestations began one week after onset of drug intake. The clinical picture included fever at 38 degrees C, polypnoea at 44/min, pulmonary crepitation and severe hypoxia at 4.5 kPa. Eosinophil blood counts were high (3.02 x 10(9)/l) Standard chest X-ray led to the diagnosis of eosinophil pneumonia. Approximately 50% of the polynuclears were eosinophils. The clinical course was rapidly favourable after withdrawal of minocyclin and administration of corticosteroids. This case was analysed and compared with other reports of minocylin induced pneumonia.