ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Acute pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)

Acute pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)

Causes and Risks:
Causes may include exposure to various drugs, parasitic infestation (especially ascariasis in children), nickel exposure, recent blood transfusion, or lymphangiogram . Often, the cause remains undetermined, although a response by the immune system to a sensitizing antigen is suspected. Lung infiltrates show a large amount of eosinophils , a type of white blood cell. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.

Prevention:
This is a rare disorder. Many times, the cause is unknown. Minimizing exposure to possible risk factors (nickle, drugs, and so on) may reduce the risk.

Symptoms:

general ill feeling ( malaise )
loss of appetite
fever lasting 2 to 3 days
cough that is productive of mucus-like phlegm (mucoid sputum)
chest pain
shortness of breath
wheezing
rapid respiratory rate
headache
muscle pain

Note: Symptoms may be mild, severe, or not present. Symptoms will usually resolve spontaneously.

Signs and Tests:
Listening to the chest with a stethoscope ( auscultation ) reveals fluid in the lungs, and may reveal a friction rub.

A bronchoscopy shows hypersensitivity reaction .
An open lung biopsy shows hypersensitivity reaction.
A CBC or WBC count shows increased white blood cells, particularly eosinophils . The blood differential may also be abnormal.

These tests also confirm the diagnosis:

Treatment:
If a cause is found, therapy consists of removing the offending drug or treating the infection with antibiotic therapy. If no cause is found, steroid therapy is given (see corticosteroids - oral).

Prognosis:
The disease often resolves without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good; however, relapses can occur.

Complications:

severe pneumonia

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate acute pulmonary eosinophilia may be present.

This is an illustration of the major features of the lungs and bronchial tree. The inset is of the alveoli. They are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.