A case of drug induced pneumonitis caused by saiboku-To

Abstract

We report a case of drug induced pneumonitis caused by Saiboku-To. A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of dry cough, fever and severe dyspnea after taking Saiboku-To. Blood gas analysis showed marked hypoxemia. Chest X-ray obtained on admission showed diffuse ground glass shadows in bilateral lung fields, and computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial shadows. Following steroid pulse therapy, clinical symptoms, hypoxemia and chest X-ray findings were ameliorated. Against medical advice, she took another Chinese medicine with ingredients similar to those of Saiboku-To. She complained of dry cough, fever and dyspnea and the chest X-ray again revealed diffuse ground glass shadows in both lung fields. Lymphocyte stimulation test against Saiboku-To and the patch test for Saiboku-To were positive. Therefore, we diagnosed this case as having pneumonitis due to Saiboku-To. This is first report of interstitial pneumonitis due to Saiboku-To.