Pronounced: eh-SIN-oh-feel-ia
by Beth Walsh, MA
En Espaol (Spanish Version) Eosinophilia is the formation and accumulation of an abnormally high number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood or body tissues. Eosinophils are created in the bone marrow and are found in the bloodstream and the gut lining. They contain proteins that help the body fight infection from parasitic organisms, such as worms.
In certain diseases, however, these proteins can damage the body. Eosinophilia only indicates an increase in the number of eosinophils. Eosinophilic pneumonia is pneumonia caused by a high number of eosinophils in the lungs, usually instead of an infection. Lofflers pneumonia is one type of eosinophilic pneumonia. It is a temporary infiltration of eosinophils into the lungs. This condition clears up on its own, over the course of about one month.
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Eosinophilia occurs as a result of other conditions, particularly allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever . In undeveloped nations, it can be the result of common skin diseases, medicine reactions, and parasitic infections. Other causes include:
- Lung diseases, such as Lofflers syndrome
- Vasculitis (eg, Churg-Strauss syndrome)
- Some tumors
- Liver cirrhosis
- Some antibody deficiencies
- Rare skin disease, such as dermatitis herpetiformis
- Unknown causes, labeled hypereosinophilic syndrome
The following factors increase your chances of developing eosinophilia. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:
Allergic rhinitis or hay feverAllergy to foodsDermatitis herpetiformisVasculitisPrescription drug side effectsParasitic infectionCirrhosis of the liverAsthmaEczemaHodgkins lymphomaNon-Hodgkins lymphoma Symptoms If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to eosinophilia. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician. Most often, the symptoms of eosinophilia are those of the underlying condition. Eosinophilia due to asthma WheezingBreathlessness Eosinophilia due to parasitic infection Abdominal painDiarrheaFeverCoughRashes Eosinophilia due to medicine reaction Skin rashes Rarer symptoms of eosinophilia Weight lossNight sweatsLymph node enlargementSkin rashesNumbness and tingling due to nerve damage DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. If he or she cannot make a diagnosis, you may be referred to a hematologist (a blood specialist). Tests may include the following: A simple blood testto diagnose eosinophilia in the bloodstreamSkin biopsy to diagnose eosinophilia in tissue Your physician may decide to perform some of the following tests as well: Blood test to measure antibody levelsStool examinationChest x-rayCT scan of chest and abdomen Lung biopsyBone marrow examinationBronchoscopy TreatmentTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Your doctor will treat eosinophilia by treating the underlying cause, whether that is an allergy, a bad reaction to medicine, or a parasitic infection.
CorticosteroidsThese drugs are used to manage allergic conditions and reduce the number of eosinophils in the body. They may be taken in inhaled form, topical treatment, pills, or injections. PreventionEosinophilia is a rare disorder and often the cause cannot be found. If you have the above risk factors, minimize your exposure to certain medicines and some metals that have been associated with eosinophilia. If eosinophilia is the result of allergies, your doctor may perform skin or blood tests to confirm specific allergies and prescribe treatment to manage the symptoms. RESOURCES: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunologyhttp://www.aaaai.org American Lung Associationhttp://www.lungusa.org CANADIAN RESOURCES: Allergy Asthma Information Associationhttp://aaia.ca/ BC Health Guidehttp://www.bchealthguide.org/ References: Brigden ML. A practical workup for eosinophilia. Postgraduate Medicine website. Available at: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/03_99/brigden.htm . Accessed July 26, 2005. Eosinophila. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section11/chapter136/136b.jsp . Accessed July 26, 2005.
Last reviewed January 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
