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Alan M. Nelson, MD; Howard L. Taubin, MD; H. David Frank, MD
Bridgeport (Conn) Hospital Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, Conn

JAMA. 1980;243(4):329-330.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

Bulk-forming laxatives derived from psyllium seed are commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Adverse reactions are rare. In the patient described here, eosinophilia developed from a psyllium hydrophilic colloid preparation.

Report of a Case.—

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to Bridgeport (Conn) Hospital because of chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Six weeks earlier, barium contrast studies, sigmoidoscopy, and lactose tolerance tests had given normal findings. She was believed to have an irritable colon syndrome and was treated with psyllium hydrophilic colloid, 5 mL three times a day, and a low residue diet. She denied allergies, wheezing, urticaria, rashes, dyspnea, pets, travel, hobbies, or occupational exposure. Physical findings were unremarkable.

The initial WBC differential count showed a 17% eosinophilia. When no apparent cause for the eosinophilia was found, administration of the psyllium hydrophilic colloid was discontinued; within three days, the eosinophil count returned to normal . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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