Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia associated with massive L-tryptophan ingestion

A 51-year-old woman developed acute febrile illness with respiratory failure following intake of L-tryptophan. An open lung biopsy specimen established the histopathologic nature of the lung lesion as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). There was no evidence of other known causes usually associated with BOOP. Her condition improved with corticosteroid therapy. The entity of BOOP now should be added to the growing list of illnesses associated with the use of L-tryptophan.