Simple pulmonary eosinophiliaDefinition: Simple pulmonary eosinophilia is inflammation of the lungs associated with an increase in�eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.
Alternative Names: Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; Eosinophilic pneumonia; Loeffler's syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Most cases of simple pulmonary eosinophilia�are due to an allergic reaction of some sort, either from a drug, such as sulfonamide,�or parasitic infection, such as that caused by�the worm Ascaris lumbricoides.�Other parasites�may also cause the syndrome.
Symptoms: The symptoms can range from none at all to severe. They will usually go away without treatment.
Signs and tests: - Listening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal rales (crackle-like sounds that suggest inflammation of the lung tissue).
- A bronchoscopy with washing may show a large number of eosinophils.
- Sputum, bronchoscopically obtained washing, and gastric lavage may reveal larvae of the ascaris worm.
- A CBC or WBC count shows increased white blood cells, particularly eosinophils.
- Chest x-ray usually reveals abnormal shadows (infiltrates) that disappear with time, or may reappear in different areas of the lung.
Treatment: If you are allergic to a drug, the doctor may have you stop taking it. (Never stop a medication without consulting with your doctor first.) If the condition is from an infection,�you�may be treated with an antibiotic or anti-parasitic medication.
Expectations (prognosis): The disease often resolves without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good. However, relapses can occur.
Complications: A rare complication of simple pulmonary eosinophilia is severe pneumonia.
Calling your health care provider: See your health care provider if you have symptoms that may be linked with this disorder.
Prevention: This is a rare disorder. Many times, the cause cannot be found. Minimizing exposure to possible risk factors (certain medicines, some metals) may reduce risk.
References: Murray JF, Nadel JA. Eosinophilic Lung Diseases. In: Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. W. B. Saunders Company, 2000; 1761-1771.
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