Simple pulmonary eosinophilia
Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; Loffler syndrome; Eosinophilic pneumonia; Pneumonia - eosinophilicSimple pulmonary eosinophilia is inflammation of the lungs from an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. Pulmonary means related to the lungs.
Causes
Most cases of this condition are due to an allergic reaction from:
- A medicine, such as a sulfonamide antibiotic or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Infection with a fungus such as Aspergillus fumigatus or Pneumocystis jirovecii
Aspergillus fumigatus
Pulmonary aspergilloma is a mass caused by a fungal infection. It usually grows in lung cavities. The infection can also appear in the brain, kidne...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticlePneumocystis jirovecii
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is a fungal infection of the lungs. The disease used to be called Pneumocystis carinii or PCP pneumonia.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - A parasite, including the roundworms
Ascariasis lumbricoides, or
Necator americanus
, or the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale
Ascariasis lumbricoides
Ascariasis is an infection with the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleHookworm
Hookworm infection is caused by roundworms. The disease affects the small intestine and lungs.
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In some cases, no cause is found.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
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Chest pain
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
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Dry cough
Dry cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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Fever
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
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General ill feeling
General ill feeling
Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Rapid breathing
Breathing
The words "respiratory" and "respiration" refer to the lungs and breathing.
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Rash
Rash
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
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Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Wheezing
Wheezing
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.
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Symptoms can range from none at all to severe. They may go away without treatment.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. Crackle-like sounds, called rales, may be heard. Rales suggest inflammation of the lung tissue.
A complete blood count (CBC) test may show increased white blood cells, particularly eosinophils.
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Eosinophils
An absolute eosinophil count is a blood test that measures the number of one type of white blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils become active...
Chest x-ray usually shows abnormal shadows called infiltrates. They may disappear with time or reappear in different areas of the lung.
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
A bronchoscopy with washing usually shows a large number of eosinophils.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.
A procedure that removes the stomach contents (gastric lavage) may show signs of the ascaris worm or another parasite.
Gastric lavage
Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.
Treatment
If you are allergic to a medicine, your provider may tell you to stop taking it. Never stop taking a medicine without first talking with your provider.
If the condition is due to an infection, you may be treated with an antibiotic or antiparasitic medicine.
Sometimes, anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids are given, especially if you have aspergillosis.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The disease often goes away without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good. But, the disease can come back, especially if the condition does not have a specific cause and needs to be treated with corticosteroids.
Possible Complications
A rare complication of simple pulmonary eosinophilia is a severe type of pneumonia called acute idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
See your 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, such as certain medicines or parasites, may reduce the chance of developing this disorder.
References
Cottin V. Eosinophilic lung diseases. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.
Khoury P, Akuthota P, Weller PF, Klion AD. Eosinophilia and eosinophil-related disorders. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 73.
Kim K, Weiss LM. Parasitic infections. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 58.
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Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
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Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
-
Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 5/3/2023
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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