Symptoms Linked To Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome

First identified in 1989, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome is a rare condition that produces inflammation in the muscles, lungs, and skin. Patients with this syndrome also have elevated levels of eosinophils (white blood cells). An epidemic of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome in 1989 was found to be caused by tainted L-tryptophan supplements, although the precise substance that caused the contamination was not identified. The supplements involved in the epidemic had been manufactured using genetically engineered bacteria.