MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Simple pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)

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Simple pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Lungs

Respiratory system

Alternative names Return to top

Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; Eosinophilic pneumonia; Loeffler's syndrome

Definition Return to top

Simple pulmonary eosinophilia is characterized by abnormal chest X-ray findings. These vary -- the abnormality may appear in one part of the lung at one time, but the next X-ray may show no pathology or a problem in a different part of the lung.

The abnormal X-rays are accompanied by a rise in the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell that is probably involved in allergies) in the blood. The disease usually clears up without treatment.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Simple pulmonary eosinophilia appears to be caused by an allergic reaction. A common cause is the migration of the parasitic worm Ascaris lumbricoides through the respiratory tract. Proteins on the surface of the worm probably incite this allergic reaction.

Other parasites of the ascaris family may also cause the syndrome. Additional possible causes include allergies to medications such as sulfonamide antibiotics.

Symptoms Return to top

Note: Symptoms range from none at all to severe. They will usually go away without treatment.

Signs and tests Return to top

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 Return to top

If a cause is found, therapy consists of removing the offending drug or treating the infection with antibiotic or antiparasitic medication.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The disease often resolves without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good. However, relapses can occur.

Complications Return to top

A rare complication of simple pulmonary eosinophilia is severe pneumonia.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

See your health care provider if you have symptoms that may be linked with this disorder.

Prevention Return to top

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.

Update Date: 5/7/2003

Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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