Churg-Strauss syndrome associated with hypersensitivity to acetaminophen

Intern Med. 2005 May;44(5):496-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.44.496.

Abstract

Acetaminophen is a widely used antipyretic drug. We describe a 64-year-old Japanese woman who developed typical Churg-Strauss syndrome after frequent use of acetaminophen. Following the ingestion of acetaminophen, she exhibited various allergic reactions such as asthmatic attacks, pyrexia and petechiae on legs. In the lymphocyte transformation test, a positive reaction to acetaminophen was detected. A muscle biopsy revealed massive extravascular eosinophil infiltration and a necrotizing vasculitis. Hypersensitivity to acetaminophen may be implicated in the development of Churg-Strauss syndrome in this case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects*
  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use
  • Arteries / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / pathology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Headache / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Acetaminophen