$Unique_ID{BRK04112} $Pretitle{} $Title{Pneumonia, Eosinophilic} $Subject{Pneumonia Eosinophilic Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia Syndrome Loffler's Syndrome Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Tuberculosis Sarcoidosis} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 725: Pneumonia, Eosinophilic ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Eosinophilic Pneumonia) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia Syndrome Loffler's Syndrome Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Tuberculosis Sarcoidosis General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Eosinophilic pneumonia is a disorder characterized by an inflammation of the lungs and an abnormal increase in the number of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the lymph nodes, lungs and blood. This disorder is usually associated with allergic conditions and various parasitic infections. Symptoms Eosinophilic pneumonia usually has a sudden onset. There may be accompanying weight loss and increased pulse rate. Symptoms may also include low-grade fever, cough with the possibility of blood in the phlegm, wheezing and labored breathing. There may also be chills, sweating, pain in the chest and a general feeling of ill health. Children with eosinophilic pneumonia may have enlargement of the spleen and liver. The symptoms of eosinophilic pneumonia may be mild or severe, depending upon the amount of lung area affected. Many patients simultaneously have bronchial asthma. A specific type of eosinophilic pneumonia called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis tends to affect individuals with asthma. Those affected usually show a worsening of asthmatic symptoms, and may have a low-grade fever and phlegm containing brownish flecks. Causes Most of the eosinophilic pneumonias are of unknown cause. Some cases are caused by parasites including roundworms and Toxocara larvae. Other cases are associated with allergies, particularly to drugs such as penicillin, aminosalicylic acid, hydralazine, nitrofurantoin, chlorpropamide, or sulfonamide. Fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, and chemical sensitizers such as nickel carbonyl inhaled as a vapor, may also be possible causes. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis occurs as a result of an allergic reaction to the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Affected Population Eosinophilic pneumonia may affect anyone. However, it tends to occur most often in young men. One specific form of this disorder, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, occurs in individuals with asthma. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of eosinophilic pneumonia. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Tuberculosis is an acute or chronic bacterial infection found most commonly in the lungs. The infection is spread like a cold, mainly through airborne droplets breathed into the air by an infected person. Symptoms include labored breathing, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness and dry cough occasionally with blood in the phlegm. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Tuberculosis " as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Sarcoidosis is a disorder which affects many body systems. It is characterized by small round lesions composed of grainy tissue. Symptoms of lung infiltration include cough and difficulty breathing. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Sarcoidosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). There are many other types of pneumonia caused by bacteria or virus. In general the symptoms of pneumonia are similar to eosinophilic pneumonia, so diagnostic tests determine which type a patient has. Therapies: Standard Eosinophilic pneumonia may be self-limiting, requiring no treatment. However, symptoms may persist or disappear spontaneously and recur periodically. If symptoms are severe, corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone may be administered. Treatment with diethylcarbamazine has also proven to be successful. Those cases which are caused by parasitic worms are treated with appropriate antiparasitic drugs. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through December 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Eosinophilic Pneumonia, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 American Lung Association 1740 Broadway New York, NY 10019 (212) 315-8700 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 329-3534 References THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 1, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief; Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories, 1982. Pp. 689-690. ACUTE EOSINOPHILIC PNEUMONIA: A HYPERSENSITIVITY PHENOMENON? D.B. Badesch et al.; AM REV RESPIR DIS (January, 1989; issue 139(1): Pp. 249-252.) CERBROSPINAL FLUID EOSINOPHILIA AND STERILE SHUNT MALFUNCTION. V.C. Traynelis et al.; NEUROSURGERY (November, 1988; issue 23(5): Pp. 645-649.)