A Case of Bronchial Asthma and PIE Syndrome Induced by Disodium Cromoglycate

Abstract

A 54-year-old female with bronchial asthma and PIE syndrome induced by disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was reported. She was referred to our hospital for further examination of the abnormal chest shadows and eosinophilia. She had been treated with DSCG, Cefaclor. Bromhexine and bronchodilator for bronchial asthma and bronchitis. Withdrawal of the drugs except for the bronchodilators alleviated her symptoms. Therefore, drug induced lymphocytes stimulation tests (DLST) were performed for those three drugs. Only DLST for DSCG showed a positive result. She had been asthmatic for ten years and treated by the drug for 18 months prior to admission. The skin test for the drug was negative and a precipitating antibody for the drug could not be found. To obtain a definite diagnosis, bronchial challenge by DSCG was performed, after her symptoms were under control. Severe asthmatic responses were provoked in 6 and 24 hours after the inhalation of DSCG. Bronchoalveolar lavage, performed 8 days after the provocation, revealed increased eosinophils and lymphocytes in BAL fluid.
Although several cases of PIE syndrome induced by DSCG have been reported, this seems to be the first report of late and delayed type bronchial response and pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia provoked by DSCG. The bronchial response to the drug was a late and delayed type reaction and sustained for a long period. This might indicate that PIE syndrome induced by the drug may be caused by a same mechanism as the provoked asthmatic response.