EOSINOPHILIA-MYALGIA-SYNDROME - A RECENT SYNDROME SERVING AS AN ALERTTO NEW DISEASES AHEAD

A recently recognized disease, the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, is d escribed and presented as a new condition attributable to nutritional toxicology. Its etiology is related to the ingestion of L-tryptophan, manufactured by a single Japanese supplier who had modified its produc tion system, which, though of high purity, contained in minute concent rations a number of contaminants or impurities. Patients with eosinoph ilia-myalgia syndrome develop an eosinophilia with pathologic changes mainly involving skin, muscle, and connective tissue. The findings sug gest an autoimmune response. Experimental studies with the implicated L-tryptophan as well as with some contaminants have as yet failed to d evelop a suitable animal model of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Furth er studies are needed to unravel the pathogenesis of this complex synd rome. At present, physicians need to be cognizant of this recent syndr ome and be aware that other new diseases, induced by nutritional toxic ological alterations and possibly related to technicological developme nts, lie ahead.