Simple Eosinophilic Pneumonia

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is simple eosinophilic pneumonia? Simple eosinophilic pneumonia is a condition where you have too many eosinophils (e-o-SIN-o-fils) in your blood. Eosinophils are white blood cells. They are part of your body's defense to help fight infection with parasites (small living creatures). With simple eosinophilic pneumonia, too many eosinophils are made and stay for too long in your airways or lung tissues. This condition is also called Loffler syndrome or pulmonary eosinophilia. The eosinophils irritate your lung tissues, making them inflamed (red) and swollen, and cause pneumonia.

What causes simple eosinophilic pneumonia?

• Parasites: These are very small living creatures that grow, live, and feed within your body. Parasites, such as round worms and hookworms, are common causes of Loffler syndrome. They move from one part of your body to another during the stages of their life. Lung problems occur when your body tries to fight these parasites when they are moving into your lungs.
  
  
• Medicines: Loffler syndrome may happen as an allergic-like reaction to some medicines that you have used for weeks or months. These may include medicines used to treat pain, seizures, heart problems, or infections. It may also occur with the use of street drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.
  
  
• Unknown: Sometimes there is no clear cause for getting this condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of eosinophilic pneumonia? You may have any of the following:

• Chest pain.
  
  
• Cough, which may or may not have phlegm (sputum). The phlegm may have blood in it.
  
  
• Generally not feeling well.
  
  
• Fast rate of breathing.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Trouble breathing, such as wheezing (high pitched sound when breathing) or shortness of breath.

How is simple eosinophilic pneumonia diagnosed? Your caregiver will ask you about your medical, travel, and drug history. He will ask about any medicines you had taken or are presently taking. He will also do a physical exam on you. You may need one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Bronchoscopy: This test may be done to look inside your airways and lungs. Caregivers use a bronchoscope to do this test. It is a long tube with a light and magnifying glass on the end. The scope goes in your mouth and into your lungs. Your caregiver may give you medicine for pain or to help you relax during the bronchoscopy. Caregivers may also do a bronchoalveolar lavage through the scope. This is when fluid and cells are sucked up from your lungs to be sent to the lab for tests.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs. This may help show signs of infection and how well your lungs are working.
  
  
• Sputum sample: Sputum (mucus from your lungs) is collected in a special cup when you cough. It is sent to a lab for tests. The sputum may show what germ is causing your illness. It can also help your caregiver choose what medicine is best for you.
  
  
• Stool test: This is a test where a sample of your stool is examined to see if you have parasites.

How is simple eosinophilic pneumonia treated? Treatment will depend on the cause of your condition. It may go away on its own within a few weeks. You may be given steroid medicine. You may need medicines to treat infections caused by parasites. If you are using medicines that may have caused your condition, they may need to be stopped.

Where can I get more information?

• CDC Parasitic Diseases
  Office of Health Communication
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  Phone: 1-404-639-3534
  Phone: 1-800-311-3435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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