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acute eosinophilic pneumonia

Etiology: 1) unknown 2) believed to be caused by an inhaled antigen Epidemiology: relatively uncommon Pathology: 1) diffuse alveolar or mixed alveolar-interstitial infiltrates 2) absence of parasitic infection, fungal infection or other infection Clinical manifestations: 1) acute febrile illness of < 5 days duration 2) cough 3) pleuritic chest pain 4) myalgias 5) hypoxemic respiratory failure Laboratory: - bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) shows eosinophilia, > 15-25% eosinophils in BAL fluid Radiology: - Chest X-ray a) diffuse pulmonary infiltrates b) bilateral pleural effusions are common Management: 1) prompt response to glucocorticoids 2) many patients require mechanical ventilation

General

eosinophilic pneumonia; Andrews syndrome; pulmonary eosinophilia

References

  1. Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 754
  2. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 14, 18. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2006, 2018.