[Strong suspicion of lung toxicity due to riluzole]. / Alta sospecha de toxicidad pulmonar por riluzol.

Riluzole is a drug used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To date, reports of lung toxicity have been exceptional. We present the case of a 74-year-old man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Following 3, 5 months of treatment with riluzole (Rilutek), the patient began to present a clinical picture consisting of nonproductive cough, progressive dyspnea (even with slight exertion), weakness, and radiologic progression with the appearance of predominantly peripheral bilateral pulmonary infiltrates that did not respond to treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Bacterial tests did not reveal the presence of germs, nor did other examinations suggest an alternative diagnosis. The patient did not resume treatment with the drug or undergo complementary procedures aimed at obtaining histologic samples. Nevertheless, the coincidence in time, lack of response to antibiotic treatment, remission of symptoms following withdrawal of the drug without initiating any other treatment except 40 mg/d of methylprednisolone for 6 days, absence of alternative diagnoses, and suggestive clinical and radiologic findings all together point to toxicity due to riluzole.

Alta sospecha de toxicidad pulmonary por riluzol / Strong suspicion of luna toxicity due to riluzole

El riluzol es un fármaco utilizado en el tratamiento de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica. Hasta la fecha, las referencias de toxicidad pulmonar han sido excepcionales. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 74 años, diagnosticado de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica, que tras 3 meses y medio de tratamiento con riluzol (Rilutek®) inició un cuadro clínico consistente en tos no productiva, disnea progresiva hasta hacerse de pequeños esfuerzos, astenia sin fiebre y con progresión radiológica con aparición de infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales de predominio periférico que no respondieron al tratamiento con amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico. Los estudios bacteriológicos realizados no demostraron gérmenes y otras exploraciones tampoco apuntaron un diagnóstico alternativo. El paciente no accedió a la realización de pruebas complementarias destinadas a la obtención de muestras histológicas ni a la reintroducción del fármaco. No obstante, la coincidencia en el tiempo, la falta de respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico, la resolución del cuadro tras la retirada del fármaco sin instaurar otro tratamiento salvo 40 mg/día de metilprednisolona durante 6 días, la ausencia de diagnósticos alternativos y hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos indicativos apuntan a la toxicidad por el riluzol

Riluzole is a drug used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To date, reports of lung toxicity have been exceptional. We present the case of a 74-year-old man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Following 3,5 months of treatment with riluzole (Rilutek®), the patient began to present a clinical picture consisting of nonproductive cough, progressive dyspnea (even with slight exertion), weakness, and radiologic progression with the appearance of predominantly peripheral bilateral pulmonary infiltrates that did not respond to treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Bacterial tests did not reveal the presence of germs, nor did other examinations suggest an alternative diagnosis. The patient did not resume treatment with the drug or undergo complementary procedures aimed at obtaining histologic samples. Nevertheless, the coincidence in time, lack of response to antibiotic treatment, remission of symptoms following withdrawal of the drug without initiating any other treatment except 40 mg/d of methylprednisolone for 6 days, absence of alternative diagnoses, and suggestive clinical and radiologic findings all together point to toxicity due to riluzole

[Varicella pneumonia in previously healthy adults]. / Neumonitis varicelosa en el adulto previamente sano.

Two cases of pneumonia associated with chicken pox in previously healthy patients are described. Their known risk factor was heavy smoking. Both were treated successfully with parenteral aciclovir, although one presented a restrictive spirometric pattern with lowered DLCO that became normal 3 months after discharge.

[Acute respiratory insufficiency secondary to Coxiella burnetii pneumonia: a rare complication]. / Insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a neumonía por Coxiella burnetii: una complicación excepcional.

Acute respiratory failure secondary to Coxiella burnetii infection is an extremely rare but serious complication that usually has a good prognosis after appropriate treatment. We describe a female patient who developed acute respiratory failure secondary to Coxiella burnetii pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation and antibiotic therapy.