Acute eosinophilic pneumonia in a heroin smoker

Abstract

Inhalation of heroin is known to provoke asthma. We report on the case of a patient who, after repeated inhalation of heroin, presented with decreased lung volume associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. Rapid remission was obtained after heroin abstinence and initiation of corticosteroid treatment.