Journal or Publishing Institution: Trends in Biotechnology
Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7765187
Author(s): Mayeno, A.N. and Gleich, G.J.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 1532
Abstract: An epidemic of a new disease, termed eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, occurred in the USA in 1989. This syndrome was linked to the consumption of L-tryptophan manufactured by a single company utilizing a fermentation process. All the findings indicate that the illness was probably triggered by an impurity formed when the manufacturing conditions were modified. This outbreak highlights the need for close monitoring of the chemical purity of biotechnology-derived products, and for rigorous testing of such products following any significant changes to the manufacturing process.
Keywords: Animals, Brassica, Chemical Industry, Animal Disease Models, Disease Outbreaks, Drug Contamination, Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Humans, Mice, Inbred C57BL Mice, Plant Oils, Population Surveillance, Risk Factors, Tryptophan; Chemistry, Chemically Induced, Epidemiology, Toxicity, Adverse Effects, Chemical Synthesis
Citation: Mayeno, A.N. and Gleich, G.J., 1994. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and tryptophan production: a cautionary tale. Trends in Biotechnology, 12(9), pp.346-352.
