A CLINICAL-STUDY OF MINOCYCLINE-INDUCED PNEUMONITIS

We studied the clinical features of minocycline-induced pneumonitis in seven patients. Acute symptoms included fever, dry cough and dyspnea, indicating acute respiratory failure. Diffuse ground glass shadows wi th Kerley's B lines, bronchial wall thickening, swelling of vascular b undles and pleural effusion were visible on radiography. Bronchoalveol ar lavage or transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed pulmonary eosinophil ia. Cessation of minocycline led to rapid remission with no treatment or only short-term steroid therapy. The lymphocyte stimulation test fo r minocycline with peripheral blood lymphocytes was not found to be us eful for diagnosis.