Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole induced eosinophilic pneumonia: A case report

We report herein a case of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) induced eosinophilic pneumonia in a 27-year-old woman with radiological features of bilateral nonsegmental airspace consolidation resembling cryptogenic organizing pneumonia at the peripheral lung fields. Organizing pneumonia with eosinophil infiltration in the lung specimens and marked eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed. Discontinuation of TMP-SMX improved eosinophilia and radiological abnormality, which confirmed the association between the use of TMP-SMX and onset of eosinophilic pneumonia. Although TMP-SMX induced eosinophilic pneumonia is not common, clinician should be aware that drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia could happen during the course of TMP-SMX administration.

Automated summary

We report a case of eosinophilic pneumonia induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in a 27-year-old woman. Radiological examination showed bilateral nonsegmental airspace consolidation resembling cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. Eosinophil infiltration was observed in lung specimens and there was marked eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Discontinuation of TMP-SMX improved eosinophilia and radiological abnormality, confirming the association between TMP-SMX use and onset of eosinophilic pneumonia. TMP-SMX induced eosinophilic pneumonia is rare, but clinicians should be aware of the possibility during TMP-SMX administration.