A Case of Mesalazine-induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis.

Park, Ji Young; Kang, Hong Mo; Kim, Su Young; Han, Yo Seb; Cho, Yong Seon; Kim, Hyo Jong; Yoo, Jee Hong

doi:2001.51.5.474

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 51(5); 2001 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2001;51(5):474-481.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2001.51.5.474 Published online November 1, 2001.

A Case of Mesalazine-induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis.

Ji Young Park, Hong Mo Kang, Su Young Kim, Yo Seb Han, Yong Seon Cho, Hyo Jong Kim, Jee Hong Yoo

Abstract

Measlazine(5-Aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA), a component of Sulfasalazine (sulfapyridine bound to 5-ASA), is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Most adverse pulmonary effects caused by sulfasalazine have been attributed to sulfapyridine. However, lung toxicity associated with measlazine(5-ASA) is rare. Here we report a case of eosinophilic pneumonia in a 44-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis, who was treated with mesalazine. She developed symptoms of a dry cough, mild night fever, and evertional dyspnea. Bilateral peripheral pulmonary infiltrates, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and histologic features were consistent with eosinophilic pneumonia. The symptoms improved quite rapidly after the discontinuation of mesalazine and initiation of steroid therapy. Therefore, adverse pulmonary reactions to mesalazine must be considered in a differential diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are receiving with measlazine therapy.

Key Words: Mesalazine, Eosinophilic pneumonia, Ulcerative colitis