A case of anti-Jo1 myositis with pleural effusions and pericardial tamponade developing after exposure to a fermented Kombucha beverage

Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;23(4):355-7. doi: 10.1007/s10067-004-0890-y. Epub 2004 Apr 16.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies has been postulated to be an environmental trigger causing the expression of the disease in a genetically predisposed patient. We report a case of anti-Jo1 antibody-positive myositis which was associated with pleural effusions, pericardial effusion with tamponade, and 'mechanic's hands', probably related to the consumption of a fermented Kombucha beverage. Kombucha 'mushroom', a symbiosis of yeast and bacteria, is postulated to be the trigger for our patient's disease owing to the proximity of his symptoms to the consumption of the Kombucha beverage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Cardiac Tamponade / immunology
  • Cardiac Tamponade / pathology*
  • Foodborne Diseases / etiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / immunology
  • Foodborne Diseases / pathology*
  • Histidine-tRNA Ligase / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myositis / etiology
  • Myositis / immunology
  • Myositis / pathology*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / immunology
  • Pleural Effusion / pathology*
  • Tea / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Jo-1 antibody
  • Tea
  • Histidine-tRNA Ligase