[Pneumonia due to the Chinese medicine pien tze huang].

A 47-year-old woman who had been treated for chronic hepatitis was admitted to our hospital because of a productive cough that developed after she took Pien Tze Huang. A chest X-ray film revealed a reticular shadow in both lower lung fields and pulmonary-function tests showed a restrictive pattern. Pien Tze Huang was discontinued and the patients condition was observed. No other treatment was given, and the patient's symptoms, laboratory data, chest roentgenographic findings, and pulmonary function gradually improved. The result of a leukocyte migration inhibition test was positive for Pien Tze Huang, and the final diagnosis was drug-induced pneumonia due to Pien Tze Huang. We know of no previous report of Pien Tze Huang-induced pneumonia.