Case report: bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia secondary to minocycline therapy

Abstract

Background Bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia (BOOP) is a distinct clinicopathological entity that equates to bronchiolitis combined with interstitial pneumonitis. It is a condition that involves the growth of intraluminal plugs of granulation tissue in the distal airspaces. Most cases of BOOP are idiopathic or cryptogenic with specific clinical and radiological features. Case report A 41-year-old woman presented with mild dyspnoea. Imaging showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates with associated eosinophilia. Histological examination of transbronchial lung biopsy tissue confirmed the presence of intraluminal fibroblastic plugs within the alveoli and mural inflammation. No known causative factor except for the intake of minocycline was established. Discussion BOOP is associated with various diseases including connective tissue disorders, infections, toxic inhalants, drug reactions or as a component of hypersensitivity pneumonia. Radiologically, it is characterised by the presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia. Therapeutically BOOP generally responds well to corticosteroids. Numerous drugs have been associated with the development of BOOP including minocycline. Minocycline hydrochloride is derived from a tetracycline and is prescribed for acne treatment and also for the treatment of various infections. The histological features of BOOP and its association with certain drugs are discussed.