Lymphopenia in acute nitrofurantoin pleuropulmonary reactions

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1977 Jun;59(6):445-8. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(77)90008-2.

Abstract

Each of 5 patients with acute nitrofurantoin pleuropulmonary reactions had profound lymphopenia and 4 had eosinophilia developing early in the clinical course after the drug was withdrawn. The 2 patients tested had only one third of the normal numbers of E rosettes (T lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood during recovery. Lymphoblastic transformation tests with purified nitrofurantoin were done in 3 patients and all of them were negative; responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed were decreased but still normal. The diagnosis of various nitrofurantoin hypersensitivity reactions relies on clinical data. The mechanisms of these reactions presently remain unclear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Eosinophils
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocytes
  • Lymphopenia / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrofurantoin / adverse effects*
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Pneumonia / etiology*
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / etiology*

Substances

  • Nitrofurantoin