Drug induced lymphocytic colitis

• Published in: Gut Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 426 - 428
• Main Authors: Beaugerie, L, Luboinski, J, Brousse, N, Cosnes, J, Chatelet, F P, Gendre, J P, Le Quintrec, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.03.1994; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical Sciences; Colitis - chemically induced; Colitis - immunology; Colitis - pathology; Colon - pathology; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; HLA-DR Antigens - analysis; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Medical sciences; Organic chemistry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - analysis; Toxicity: digestive system; Vascular Diseases - drug therapy; Human; Iatrogenic; Etiology; Clinical form; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Infiltration; Colitis; Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.35.3.426

Three cases are presented of lymphocytic colitis with chronic diarrhoea concurrent with longterm use of Cyclo 3 Fort, a phlebotonic drug used in France. The histological and immunopathological features of lymphocytic colitis are described. We show that lymphocytic colitis is drug induced, particularly in one patient where the immunopathological features of mucosal immune cell activation were induced by drug rechallenge. It is concluded that lymphocytic colitis may be drug induced, secondary to a chronic activation of the mucosal immune system by one or several components of the drug.