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Simple pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)

Definition:

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.

Alternative Names:
Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; Eosinophilic pneumonia; Loeffler's syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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.



Review Date: 5/7/2003
Reviewed 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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