Löffler's syndrome
Löffler's syndrome | |
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Other names | Loeffler's syndrome |
Respirology |
Löffler's syndrome is a disease in which
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Loffler's syndrome can be challenging, as the diagnostic criteria can be vague and consistent with a multitude of diseases or conditions. The disease's developmental trajectory is mostly unknown. Upon examination of symptoms, a doctor will likely request a chest x-ray looking for migratory pulmonary infiltrate, and blood testing, to confirm a diagnosis. Symptoms tend to be brief, but can range from mild to severe and include: fever, vomiting, increased respirations or difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze, and rash. Symptoms typically follow an exposure to allergens or certain drugs, and last approximately two weeks.[3]
Eosinophilia is the main feature of diagnostic criteria for Loffler's syndrome. Eosinophils are white blood cells that fight infection by destroying foreign substances in the body. This increase is determined through a blood test called a complete blood count, or CBC. A result of over 500 cells/mcL (cells per microliter of blood) is considered elevated.[4] The normal range for eosinophils is less than 350 cells/mcL.[5]
Prevention
While the outcomes of this syndrome have never led to death, the symptoms can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks after the parasite enters the body. Prevention of this syndrome is education-based, consisting of educating individuals on proper handwashing techniques, as well as how to correctly dispose of feces.[citation needed]
Epidemiology
This syndrome can be found anywhere. However, it is abnormally prevalent in tropical areas, showing higher prevalence in men than women.[6] This syndrome is also exceedingly common in the warm damp parts of the world.[3] The syndrome is also more likely to be contracted by small children since they spend an increased amount of time outside in the dirt.[7] While it is still a mystery why the prevalence is higher in Indians, the warm damp environment is a perfect place for the parasites to grow and thrive. The epidemiological aspect of Löffler's syndrome isn't well known since there have been minimal statistics reported on the topic.[citation needed]
History
In 1909 a man named H. French first described the condition.
Another incident again involved a young boy who had been experiencing vomiting and a fever for a span of 3 months. When the doctors finally took an echocardiograph of the child they discovered that the "patient's admission blood count showed leukocytosis with an abnormally elevated level of peripheral eosinophils."[11] The child was then diagnosed with Löffler's endocarditis, and immediately began immunosuppressive therapy to decline the eosinophilic count.
Although Löffler only described eosinophilic pneumonia in the context of infection, many authors give the term "Löffler's syndrome" to any form of acute onset pulmonary eosinophilia no matter what the underlying cause. If the cause is unknown, it is specified and called "simple pulmonary eosinophilia". Cardiac damage caused by the damaging effects of eosinophil granule proteins (e.g. major basic protein) is known as Loeffler endocarditis and can be caused by idiopathic eosinophilia or eosinophilia in response to parasitic infection.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "What is Loeffler's Syndrome | Medindia". www.medindia.net. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
- ^ Prevention, CDC-Centers for Disease Control and (2017-05-02). "CDC - Strongyloides - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
- ^ PMID 5667987.
- ^ "Eosinophilia". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
- ^ "What Is an Eosinophil Count?". WebMD. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
- PMID 30521271.
- ^ "Loffler Syndrome Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes". emedicine.medscape.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
- ^ "What is Loeffler's Syndrome | Medindia". www.medindia.net. Retrieved 2018-12-02.[verification needed]
- ^ Prevention, CDC-Centers for Disease Control and (2017-05-02). "CDC - Strongyloides - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-05.[verification needed]
- ^ Gipson, Avery, Shah, Pepiak, Begue, Malone, Wall, Kevin, Ryan, Heena, Derek, Rodolfo, John, Luke. "Loeffler syndrome of a Louisiana pig farm" (PDF). Respiratory Medicine Case Reports.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - S2CID 19478941.
- PMID 27866580.