Transient peripheral eosinophilia occurs in several disorders, such as allergic diseases, cancer, and parasitic in fections. However, in most cases, their persence is not accompanied by tissue destruction or organ dysfunc tion. In certain disease states, eosinophils can accumulate in any organ in the body and cause tissue destruction as a result of the eosinophil infiltration or the toxic effects of the degranulated proinflammatory products. Idiopathic hypereosinopilic syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by persistent eosinophilia of an unknown origin, usually associated with a dysfunction of organs such as the heart, lung, skin, and nervous system. Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome usually has an indolent course over a period of several months. However, in some cases, they have grave symptoms if vital organs such as heart and lung are infiltrated. Here we report a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting acute pulmonary edema involving the heart, bone marrow, and lung with a review of the relevant literatures.
Bone Marrow ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Lung ; Nervous System ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: STDs are major communicable disease group in Korea. This study was carried out to evaluate the current status of sexually transmitted diseases in Seoul. METHODS: We collected the laboratory data of those who visited 11 Public Health Centers in Seoul for venereal disease examination and analyzed abnormal results from Jan 1, 1993 to Dec 31, 1995. The diagnoses of STDs were made by VDRL quantification, TPHA test, Gram's stain, and culture of urine or urethral discharge. RESULTS: There were total of 10,302 patients. There were 7,836 male cases(76.1%) and 2,466 female cases (23.9%). Mean age was 30.6+/-9.7, and the most common age group was 25-34 yearn of age(42.1%). Diagnoses were as follows ; syphilis 2,036 cases(19.8%), gonorrhea 2,249 cases(21.8%), nongonococcal urethritis 4,973 cases(48.3%), vaginitis 954 cases(9.3%), mixed infection of syphilis and gonorrhea 13 cases(0.1% ), mixed infection of syphilis and NGU 50 cases(0.5%), mixed infection of syphilis and vaginitis 27 cases(0.3%). The proportion of PPNG among gonorrhea was as follows ; 43.4% in 1993, 55.1% in 1994, 43.8% in 1995. There were more WBCs on Gram's staining in gonorrhea cases than in NGU cases. CONCLUSIONS: The STD patients seen in 11 Public Health Centers in Seoul were mainly young men. Common diagnoses were as follows ; NGU, gonorrhea, syphilis, vaginitis. The proportion of PPNG increased at first and then decreased.
Coinfection ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Public Health* ; Seoul* ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases* ; Syphilis ; Urethritis ; Vaginitis