Sirolimus-induced pneumonitis in a renal transplant recipient.
- Author:
Jin Seok KIM
1
;
Ah Young SHIN
;
Jeong Ho KIM
;
Eun Hye KIM
;
Ju Hyun OAK
;
Chul Woo YANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. yangch@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Sirolimus;
Renal transplant;
Pneumonitis
- MeSH:
Calcineurin;
Cough;
Fever;
Humans;
Korea;
Middle Aged;
Pneumonia;
Sirolimus;
Steroids;
Thorax;
Transplants
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2010;79(4):438-442
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sirolimus is a promising immunosuppressive agent with low nephrotoxicity and anti-tumor effects; it replaces calcineurin inhibitors, but serious adverse effects have been reported. We report on sirolimus-induced pneumonitis, which is a rare but fatal complication. The patient was a 51-year-old renal transplant recipient who had received sirolimus for 3 months before admission. The patient had a productive cough and mild fever, which began 3 weeks before admission. The chest PA and CT findings were consistent with pneumonia, but a microbiological study and bronchoscopic findings revealed no evidence of infection. Sirolimus-induced pneumonitis was suspected, so the sirolimus was stopped and high-dose steroids were initiated. The respiratory symptoms and radiologic findings improved dramatically after sirolimus withdrawal and the initiation of steroid treatment. These findings strongly suggest a casual relationship between sirolimus and pneumonitis. This is the first case of sirolimus-induced pneumonitis in Korea.
