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Acetaminophen-induced eosinophilic pneumonia

K Kondo1, Y Inoue, H Hamada

  • 1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.

Chest
|July 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first known case of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and a combination drug triggered lymphocyte proliferation, despite short-term use.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Drug-induced lung injury is a recognized clinical concern.
  • Eosinophilic pneumonia can manifest with diverse etiologies.
  • Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic.

Observation:

  • A patient developed an abnormal chest radiograph shadow after three days of taking Kinuya-chinnetsu, a combination drug containing acetaminophen.
  • The radiographic abnormality persisted for approximately one month despite the short duration of drug exposure.

Findings:

  • Lymphocyte stimulation tests confirmed that both Kinuya-chinnetsu and acetaminophen induced peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation.
  • This suggests a potential immune-mediated mechanism underlying the observed lung pathology.

Implications:

  • This case highlights acetaminophen as a potential cause of eosinophilic pneumonia.
  • It underscores the importance of considering drug-induced lung injury in patients with unexplained pulmonary infiltrates.
  • Further investigation into the immunopharmacological effects of acetaminophen may be warranted.

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