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Eosinophilia: What does it mean?

Although its presence alone is rarely diagnostic, eosinophilia may serve as a harbinger of disease. Defining the eosinophil's physiologic role has opened the door to understanding its presence in certain diseases...

The eosinophil's dual nature is the key to its role in human diseases. The cytokines released from eosinophils not only protect the host from invading pathogens but can also promote inflammation, causing tissue damage from fibrosis and oxidative metabolites. Upsetting this delicate balance may be the reason that eosinophilia is a manifestation of an underlying immunodeficient state; this possibility is the focus of current research.

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Articles of Interest

Eosinophils, Poetry, and Distilling Out Truth

This cell only emerged from the cobwebs of my brain recently when discussing a drug rash that is peculiar (aren't they all?) with a dermatologist, and she asked in a fevered shout and with uncharacteristic passion, “But what is the eosinophil count?”

Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia (AEP)

Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia (AEP) is a rare inflammatory lung disease, which can cause younger adults to develop respiratory failure requiring intubation. This is an important disorder to be aware of because, if treated aggressively with steroid, patients will rapidly recover. Although the disease is rare, it will be encountered with some regularity.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome

CSS is included in the group of small-vessel vasculitides and is defined as an eosinophil-rich and granulomatous inflammation involving the respiratory tract and necrotizing vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels...

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)

DRESS eruption frequently progresses to a violaceous rash which remains present for weeks to months following discontinuation of the inciting agent.3

Drug-induced eosinophilia

This review looks at drugs that produce eosinophilia and explains how this condition may be managed.

Eosinophil-Related Disorders - Eosinophilia

The eosinophil has potent proinflammatory, prothrombotic, and profibrotic activities. Eosinophilia can accompany a range of disorders from benign diseases, to eosinophilias with organ damage, to eosinophil neoplasms.

Eosinophilia

Mild eosinophilia is present often in patients with allergic disease (<1500 cells/µL will be used for the definition of mild, whereas hypereosinophilic syndromes, defined elsewhere in the article, are generally considered with sustained eosinophilia > 1500 cells/µL2).

Eosinophilic Asthma: Hunter's Story

In a matter of a few hours, Hunter Box went from being a healthy, active 17-year-old, to a severely ill teen struggling for his next breath. After two hospitalizations, he was diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma and a rare complication called plastic bronchitis.

Eosinophilic lung conditions

Eosinophilic lung conditions are sometimes called pulmonary eosinophilia or eosinophilic pneumonia.

Eosinophils. An Unexpected Delivery

Eosinophilic pneumonia is characterized by cough, fever, hypoxia, a neutrophil-predominant leukocytosis with increased absolute eosinophil count, and bilateral airspace opacities on chest radiograph.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome: approach to treatment in the era of precision medicine

Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HESs) are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic end organ complications. Conventional therapies, including glucocorticoids and cytotoxic and immunomodulatory agents, have variable efficacy and significant toxicity.

Never ignore an elevated eosinophil count – especially in travellers, immigrants and refugees

In view of the prevalence of parasitic infections among refugees, and the extremely high mortality rate of disseminated strongyloidiasis, I support comprehensive screening for eosinophilia, stool O&P examination, and Strongyloides serology for all refugees, especially those from Africa or South East Asia.

Resources

EOS Network

Our mission Is to ensure that every person with an Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease receives a prompt accurate diagnosis, the right treatment for them, and support to live with their condition.

EosinoPhilosophy.com

At GSK, we believe eosinophils count for a lot. They play a role not only in disease, but also in health—and we are committed to better understanding their potential impact on patients’ lives.

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders

To passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy.

Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders

If you or your child has an eosinophilic disorder, you already know how often these conditions can be misdiagnosed and / or misunderstood. Our center, the first of its kind in the United States, provides help for children and adults from a team of international leaders in diagnosing, treating and researching these rare disorders (eosinophilic esophagitis [EoE], eosinophilic gastritis [EoG], eosinophilic colitis [EoC], eosinophilic gastroenteritis [EGE], hypereosinophilic syndrome [HES]).

National Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Network

The National Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Network, Inc., is a non-profit (501 C-3) organization dedicated to helping EMS survivors and their families by offering educational information and peer support.

Patient

The main functions of eosinophils include involvement in defence against parasites, allergic responses, tissue inflammation and immunity. Eosinophilia is a peripheral eosinophil count greater than the upper limit of normal range, usually around 0.45 x 109/L. In many cases the cause is clear - eg, atopic disease. However, the differential diagnosis includes many serious diseases, including malignancy.

StatPearls

Eosinophils are less than 5% of circulating leucocytes. Eosinophilia is defined as an increase of circulating eosinophils >500 /mm...