Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Publisher



Mehdikhanmahaleh MM1, 2 ; Tabatabaeimalazy O3, 4
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Encyclopedia of Toxicology# Fourth Edition: Volume 1-9 Published:2023


Abstract

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a multisystem disease characterized by subacute onset of myalgias and peripheral eosinophilia, followed by chronic neuropathy and skin induration. An epidemic of EMS in 1989 was linked to l-tryptophan consumption originating from a single source. Following the United State (US) Food and Drug Administration ban on the sale of l-tryptophan, EMS incidence declined rapidly. Xenobiotic triggered acute inflammation in a genetically susceptible host likely mediates the early phase of EMS. Late in the disease, cytokine activation and upregulation of collagen and extracellular matrix genes may drive the sustained fibrotic response. The exact etiologic agent responsible for EMS remains unknown. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.