Acute and Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonias.
- Author:
Sang Yeub LEE
1
Author Information
1. Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea. pulsy0309@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Eosinophil;
Eosinophic pneumonia;
Glucocorticoid
- MeSH:
Anoxia;
Asthma;
Bronchoalveolar Lavage;
Eosinophils;
Follow-Up Studies;
Glucocorticoids;
Humans;
Pneumonia;
Pulmonary Eosinophilia;
Recurrence;
Respiratory Insufficiency
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2013;84(4):502-508
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Although eosinophils may rise to 5-25% of the cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a variety of conditions, more than 25% eosinophils in BAL fluid strongly suggest one of the eosinophilic pneumonias. Acute eosinophilc pneumonia (AEP) is a sudden and febrile illness that can results in life-threatening respiratory failure, frequently misdiagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia. Most patients respond rapidly and completely to glucocorticoids, generally without relapse. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is a protracted disease of usually more than a month before presentation, with mild to moderate hypoxemia. The disorder is highly responsive to glucocorticoid therapy, but recurs frequent when tapering or after stopping glucocorticoid therapy. Some patients have a history of asthma at diagnosis or develop severe asthma at some time in the follow-up. There are significant relationships between asthma and chronic eosinophilc pneumonia.
