Clarithromycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia

Intern Med. 2004 Mar;43(3):231-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.43.231.

Abstract

Clarithromycin (CAM) has been widely used for the treatment of respiratory infection. Macrolides are generally well tolerated and their adverse reactions are rare. An 80-year-old woman with nontuberculous mycobacterium infection was treated with combined chemotherapy, including isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. She developed a fever and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and new subpleural consolidations were observed on chest radiography three days after add-on therapy with CAM. The symptoms and clinical findings improved with the withdrawal of CAM. Histopathologic examinations confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia. This is the first report of CAM-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clarithromycin / adverse effects*
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Eosinophils / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mycobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Clarithromycin