1
|
Cottin V. Eosinophilic Lung Diseases. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2023; 43:289-322. [PMID: 37055090 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The eosinophilic lung diseases may manifest as chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, or as the Löffler syndrome (generally of parasitic etiology). The diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia is made when both characteristic clinical-imaging features and alveolar eosinophilia are present. Peripheral blood eosinophils are generally markedly elevated; however, eosinophilia may be absent at presentation. Lung biopsy is not indicated except in atypical cases after multidisciplinary discussion. The inquiry to possible causes (medications, toxic drugs, exposures, and infections especially parasitic) must be meticulous. Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia may be misdiagnosed as infectious pneumonia. Extrathoracic manifestations raise the suspicion of a systemic disease especially eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Airflow obstruction is frequent in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and hypereosinophilic obliterative bronchiolitis. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of therapy, but relapses are common. Therapies targeting interleukin 5/interleukin-5 are increasingly used in eosinophilic lung diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Cottin
- Service de pneumologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Centre de référence coordonnateur des maladies pulmonaires rares (OrphaLung), 28 Avenue Doyen Lepine, Lyon Cedex 69677, France; Université Lyon 1, INRAE, UMR754, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sulfa-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Respir Med Case Rep 2021; 34:101496. [PMID: 34471596 PMCID: PMC8390531 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an infrequently seen interstitial lung disease secondary to medications. We report a series of 3 case of severe AEP which developed as a result of sulfa medication. 2 patients had received treatment with sulfamethoxazole for acne and 1 was treated with sulfasalazine for colitis. Patients were on sulfa medication for 1-3 weeks prior to presentation. All patients presented with fever, acute onset bilateral pulmonary infiltrates as well as marked peripheral eosinophilia. Mean eosinophil count was 2.21 × 109/L. There was a lack of response to steroids. One patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and prolonged mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy. 2 patients underwent successful lung transplantation (1 bilateral living-related lobar lung transplant and 1 orthotropic cardiopulmonary allotransplantation). In all cases lung biopsy and explants showed acute and organizing diffuse alveolar damage with increased interstitial and airspace eosinophils. To our knowledge, our series is the first to show the clinical features of sulfa induced AEP in an adolescent population.
Collapse
|
3
|
Choi JY, Lim JU, Jeong HJ, Lee JE, Rhee CK. Association between peripheral blood/bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia and significant oxygen requirements in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. BMC Pulm Med 2020; 20:22. [PMID: 31992279 PMCID: PMC6986137 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-020-1056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We investigated the association between a combination of two markers, peripheral (PEC) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophil percentage (BEP), and oxygen requirements in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with AEP treated at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital between May 2012 and May 2017. We used correlation analyses to assess the association between PEC/BEP and clinical outcomes in AEP patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to calculate the cut-off value for BEP that categorised patients requiring a significant oxygen supply. The BAL/blood eosinophil (BBE) score was introduced to stratify patients with peripheral eosinophilia and elevated BEP. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between the different groups. Multiple logistic regression was performed for significant oxygen requirements using two different models using age, C-reactive protein (CRP), smoking duration, and BBE score (model 1) and age, CRP, BEP, and PEC (model 2). Results Among the 338 patients, 99.7% were male, and their mean age was 20.4 ± 1.4 years. Only 0.6% of patients were never smokers and the mean number of smoking days was 26.2 ± 25.4. Correlation analyses revealed that both the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and duration of oxygen supply were associated with BEP. ROC curve analyses indicated a cut-off level of 41.5%. Patients with a high BBE score had favourable outcomes in terms of hypoxemia, hospital days, intensive care unit admission, oxygen supply days, and steroid treatment days. Multiple logistic regression revealed that BEP and BBE score tended to be associated with significant oxygen requirements. Conclusions In this study, we revealed that both peripheral and BAL eosinophilia is associated with favourable outcomes in AEP patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joon Young Choi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Uk Lim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jung Jeong
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea, 222, Banpo-daero Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea, 222, Banpo-daero Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin Kook Rhee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
De Giacomi F, Vassallo R, Yi ES, Ryu JH. Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia. Causes, Diagnosis, and Management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019; 197:728-736. [PMID: 29206477 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201710-1967ci] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an uncommon acute respiratory illness of varying severity that includes presentation as acute respiratory distress syndrome with fatal outcome. AEP may be idiopathic, but identifiable causes include smoking and other inhalational exposures, medications, and infections. The pathogenesis of AEP is poorly understood but likely varies depending on the underlying cause. Airway epithelial injury, endothelial injury, and release of IL-33 are early events that subsequently promote eosinophil recruitment to the lung; eosinophilic infiltration and degranulation appear to mediate subsequent lung inflammation and associated clinical manifestations. Crucial for the diagnosis are the demonstration of pulmonary eosinophilia in the BAL fluid and the exclusion of other disease processes that can present with acute pulmonary infiltrates. Although peripheral blood eosinophilia at initial presentation may be a clue in suggesting the diagnosis of AEP, it may be absent or delayed, especially in smoking-related AEP. Optimal management of AEP depends on the recognition and elimination of the underlying cause when identifiable. The cessation of the exposure to the inciting agent (e.g., smoking), and glucocorticoids represent the mainstay of treating AEP of noninfectious origin. If AEP is recognized and treated in a timely manner, the prognosis is generally excellent, with prompt and complete clinical recovery, even in those patients manifesting acute respiratory failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica De Giacomi
- 1 Respiratory Unit, Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Department, University of Milan-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy; and.,2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| | | | - Eunhee S Yi
- 3 Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jay H Ryu
- 2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ota K, Sasabuchi Y, Matsui H, Jo T, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H. Age distribution and seasonality in acute eosinophilic pneumonia: analysis using a national inpatient database. BMC Pulm Med 2019; 19:38. [PMID: 30755187 PMCID: PMC6371551 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare inflammatory lung disease. Previous studies have shown that most patients with AEP are aged 20 to 40 years, whereas several case studies have included older patients with AEP. These studies also suggested that AEP is more prevalent in summer, but they were limited due to their small sample sizes. We therefore investigated the age distribution and seasonality among patients with AEP using a national inpatient database. METHODS Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients with a recorded diagnosis of AEP from 1 July 2010 to 31 March 2015. We examined patient characteristics and clinical practices including age, sex, seasonal variation, length of stay, use of corticosteroids, use of mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS During the 57-month study period, we identified 213 inpatients with AEP. The age distribution of AEP peaked twice: at 15 to 24 years and 65 to 79 years. The proportion of patients with AEP was highest in summer for those aged < 40 years, whereas it was distributed evenly throughout the year for those aged ≥ 40 years. The interval from hospital admission to corticosteroid administration and the duration of corticosteroid use were significantly longer in the older than younger age group. CONCLUSIONS The age distribution of patients with AEP was bimodal, and seasonality was undetected in older patients. Older patients may be more likely to have delayed and prolonged treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koshi Ota
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan. .,Department of Emergency, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigakumachi, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-8686, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Sasabuchi
- Data Science Center, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi-ken, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan
| | - Taisuke Jo
- Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and Informatics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113 - 8510, Japan
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Takei R, Arita M, Kumagai S, Ito Y, Takaiwa T, Tokioka F, Itakura J, Ishida T. Traction bronchiectasis on high-resolution computed tomography may predict fatal acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Respir Investig 2018; 57:67-72. [PMID: 30528687 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) show rapid improvement. However, some cases of AEP prove fatal. The aims of this study were to determine the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics of patients in whom AEP has a fatal outcome and to identify predictors of a poor prognosis. METHODS We retrospectively identified the medical records of all patients diagnosed with AEP at our institution in Japan from July 2005 to July 2013. RESULTS There were four deaths among 41 patients diagnosed to have AEP during the study period. All the patients who died were male; three cases were idiopathic and one was medication-related. The median bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil differential count was 59%. An autopsy was performed on the patient with medication-related AEP who died and the pathologic finding was diffuse alveolar damage with eosinophilic infiltration. Diffuse ground-glass attenuation and traction bronchiectasis (TBE) were identified on high-resolution computed tomography in the four patients with fatal AEP. TBE was observed in six patients (five with idiopathic AEP, one with medication-related AEP), and 67% of these patients died. None of the patients with smoking-related AEP had TBE; all these patients had better responses to treatment and survived. CONCLUSIONS We observed the characteristics of patients with fatal AEP who did not respond to treatment. TBE was observed in all fatal cases and may be associated with a poor prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reoto Takei
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8602, Japan.
| | - Machiko Arita
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8602, Japan
| | - Shogo Kumagai
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Yuhei Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ise Red Cross Hospital, Ise, Japan
| | - Takuya Takaiwa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Tokioka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8602, Japan
| | - Junya Itakura
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Tadashi Ishida
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8602, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Eosinophilic lung diseases especially comprise eosinophilic pneumonia or as the more transient Löffler syndrome, which is most often due to parasitic infections. The diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia is based on characteristic clinical-imaging features and the demonstration of alveolar eosinophilia, defined as at least 25% eosinophils at BAL. Peripheral blood eosinophilia is common but may be absent at presentation in idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia, which may be misdiagnosed as severe infectious pneumonia. All possible causes of eosinophilia, including drug, toxin, fungus related etiologies, must be thoroughly investigated. Extrathoracic manifestations should raise the suspicion of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
Collapse
|
8
|
Yoon CG, Kim SJ, Kim K, Lee JE, Jhun BW. Clinical Characteristics and Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia in Korean Military Personnel. J Korean Med Sci 2016; 31:247-53. [PMID: 26839479 PMCID: PMC4729505 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an uncommon inflammatory lung disease, and limited data exist concerning the clinical characteristics and factors that influence its occurrence. We retrospectively reviewed the records of AEP patients treated at Korean military hospitals between January 2007 and December 2013. In total, 333 patients were identified; their median age was 22 years, and all were men. All patients presented with acute respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea, or fever) and had elevated levels of inflammatory markers including median values of 13,185/µL for white blood cell count and 9.51 mg/dL for C-reactive protein. All patients showed diffuse ground glass opacity/consolidation, and most had pleural effusion (n = 265; 80%) or interlobular septal thickening (n = 265; 85%) on chest computed tomography. Most patients had normal body mass index (n = 255; 77%), and only 30 (9%) patients had underlying diseases including rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis. Most patients had recently changed smoking habits (n = 288; 87%) and were Army personnel (n = 297; 89%).The AEP incidence was higher in the Army group compared to the Navy or Air Force group for every year (P = 0.002). Both the number of patients and patients with high illness severity (oxygen requirement, intensive care unit admission, and pneumonia severity score class ≥ III) tended to increase as seasonal temperatures rose. We describe the clinical characteristics of AEP and demonstrate that AEP patients have recently changed smoking habits and work for the Army. There is an increasing tendency in the numbers of patients and those with higher AEP severity with rising seasonal temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang-gyo Yoon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, The Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Se Jin Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Kang Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Byung Woo Jhun
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Clinical outcomes in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia not treated with corticosteroids. Lung 2015; 193:361-7. [PMID: 25821148 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-015-9722-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate the course of clinical stability in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) who did not receive corticosteroid treatment. METHODS Secondary analysis included 19 consecutive patients with AEP who did not receive corticosteroid treatment from a cohort of 310 patients newly diagnosed with AEP between October 2007 and December 2013. RESULTS All patients presented with dyspnea, fever, or cough with diffuse pulmonary infiltration. All but one patient (95 %) had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and 11 (58 %) patients had peripheral eosinophilia at the time of diagnosis. During the follow-up period, the dyspnea improved within a median of 4 (3-6) days and defervescence occurred within a median of 5 (4-7) days. Median time to clinical stability (defined as disappearance of all initial presenting symptoms) was 9 (7-12) days. In addition, the majority of pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiographs completely disappeared within 14 days after diagnosis. However, the peripheral eosinophil count and the frequency of peripheral eosinophilia increased up to 10 days and then decreased during the follow-up period. All patients experienced peripheral eosinophilia during hospitalisation. CONCLUSION AEP-associated symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were resolved completely within 2 weeks after diagnosis even when corticosteroid treatment was not initiated. However, these findings might be limited to relatively mild cases of AEP.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ajani S, Kennedy CC. Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia: A retrospective case series and review of the literature. Respir Med Case Rep 2013; 10:43-7. [PMID: 26029512 PMCID: PMC3920350 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is characterized by hypoxemia, pulmonary infiltrates and pulmonary eosinophilia. Data is limited and the purpose of this study is to better understand this disorder. Methods A search of the computerized patient records from January 1, 1997 to October 15, 2010 for patients with suspicion of “eosinophilic pneumonia” was conducted. Included patients were 18 years or older with an acute febrile illness, hypoxemia, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates on imaging, and pulmonary eosinophilia. Patients were excluded with other known causes of pulmonary eosinophilia. Results Of 195 patients with pulmonary eosinophilia, 8 patients had “definite” or “probable” and 4 patients had “possible” idiopathic AEP. Three patients were categorized as “probable” idiopathic AEP due to exceeding expected maximal 30-day symptom duration and/or a maximal recorded temperature less than 38 °C. Four patients were defined as “possible” idiopathic AEP given histories of polymyalgia rheumatica, eczema or allergic rhinitis. Of the 8 included patients, 63% were male with a median age of 53. Median duration of symptoms was 21 days. Median nadir oxygen saturation was 83%. Median eosinophil count on bronchoalveolar lavage was 36%. Two patients required intubation. Two patients were current smokers, one of whom had reported a change in smoking habits. All patients were treated with steroids (median of two months). Conclusions As diagnostic methods and pharmacologic knowledge improve, the number of patients meeting criteria for idiopathic AEP remains small. Much remains to be learned about this truly rare condition, and current criteria may exclude milder presentations of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassie C Kennedy
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
|
12
|
Abstract
Cigarette smoke, a toxic collection of thousands of chemicals generated from combustion of tobacco, is recognized as the primary causative agent of certain diffuse interstitial and bronchiolar lung diseases. Most patients afflicted with these disorders are cigarette smokers, and smoking cessation has been shown to be capable of inducing disease remission and should occupy a pivotal role in the management of all smokers with these diffuse lung diseases. The role of pharmacotherapy with corticosteroids or other immunomodulating agents is not well established but may be considered in patients with progressive forms of smoking-related interstitial lung diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Vassallo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Eosinophilic pneumonias (EP) encompass a wide spectrum of lung diseases characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia (>1 x 10(9) eosinophils/l) and/or alveolar eosinophilia (>25%). Blood eosinophilia may be lacking, as in the early phase of idiopathic acute EP, or in patients already taking oral corticosteroids. EP may present with varying severity, ranging from almost asymptomatic infiltrates to the acute respiratory distress syndrome necessitating mechanical ventilation. Possible causes of EP must be thoroughly investigated, especially drugs and the variety of parasitic infections (considering history of travel or residence in areas of endemic parasitic infection). However, chronic EP remains idiopathic in many cases. When present, extrathoracic manifestations lead to suspect Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) or the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), the prognosis of which is dominated by cardiac involvement. Apart from the treatment of specific causes when possible, corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of symptomatic treatment for eosinophilic disorders, usually with a dramatic response, but frequent relapses when tapering or after stopping the treatment. The adjunction of immunosuppressants to corticosteroids is necessary in patients with CSS and poor prognosis factors. Imatinib has recently proven effective in the treatment of the myeloproliferative variant of the HES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Cottin
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, and Center for Orphan Lung Diseases, Louis Pradel University Hospital, Claude Bernard University, UMR 754 INRA-ENVL-UCBL and IFR128 Biosciences, Lyon, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although rare, the eosinophilic lung diseases are being increasingly identified as distinct clinical entities. These disorders are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which there is an increased number of eosinophils in the airways and/or lung parenchyma. These disease entities may be broadly separated into airway disorders (asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, eosinophilic bronchitis, and bronchocentric granulomatosis) and parenchymal (interstitial) disorders. This review and update will concentrate on the latter group of entities. RECENT FINDINGS Recent publications in the field have concentrated on expanding the list of causative agents and clinical situations. An especially promising number of articles report advancements in the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms behind the development of the clinical syndromes. SUMMARY Whatever the function of the eosinophil in these disorders, it is important to remember that the disease processes lumped together as the eosinophilic lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of diseases. In an attempt to categorize these disorders, they have been connected, either appropriately or artificially, by their association with the eosinophil. Nevertheless, the eosinophilic connection may serve as a clue to pathogenesis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Michael Alberts
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|