eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, tryptophan-induced

eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, tryptophan-induced

Eosinophilia and severe muscle pain and joint stiffness seen in patients with a history of taking oral preparations of the amino acid l-tryptophan.

Symptoms

There is abrupt onset, within a week or so, of pain, edema, and induration of the extremities, esp. the legs. Skin involvement includes alopecia, transient rash, and subjective weakness. The disease is disabling and chronic. To establish the diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude other diseases (e.g., infections or neoplasia) that could cause these findings.

Treatment

Treatment is supportive; tryptophan should be discontinued.