Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia | |||
| image = [[File:Blausen_0352_Eosinophil_(crop).png|left|thumb|Eosinophil]] | |||
| caption = Eosinophil, a type of white blood cell involved in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Cough]], [[dyspnea]], [[wheezing]], [[fever]], [[weight loss]] | |||
| complications = [[Pulmonary hypertension]], [[cor pulmonale]] | |||
| onset = Typically in [[adulthood]] | |||
| duration = Chronic | |||
| causes = [[Filarial infection]] by ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'' or ''[[Brugia malayi]]'' | |||
| risks = Living in [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] regions | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood test]] showing elevated [[eosinophil]] count, [[serology]] for filarial antibodies | |||
| differential = [[Asthma]], [[tuberculosis]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] | |||
| treatment = [[Diethylcarbamazine]] (DEC) | |||
| medication = [[Diethylcarbamazine]], [[antihistamines]] | |||
| frequency = Rare in non-endemic areas | |||
| deaths = Rare with treatment | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|A rare form of eosinophilic lung disease associated with parasitic infections}} | {{Short description|A rare form of eosinophilic lung disease associated with parasitic infections}} | ||
'''Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia''' (TPE) is a rare and distinct form of [[eosinophilic lung disease]] that is associated with infection by certain [[filarial parasites]], primarily ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'' and ''[[Brugia malayi]]''. It is characterized by a marked increase in [[eosinophils]] in the blood and lungs, leading to respiratory symptoms. | '''Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia''' (TPE) is a rare and distinct form of [[eosinophilic lung disease]] that is associated with infection by certain [[filarial parasites]], primarily ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'' and ''[[Brugia malayi]]''. It is characterized by a marked increase in [[eosinophils]] in the blood and lungs, leading to respiratory symptoms. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is caused by an exaggerated immune response to the microfilariae of the filarial parasites. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected [[mosquitoes]]. Once inside the human host, the microfilariae migrate to the lungs, where they trigger a hypersensitivity reaction. This reaction is mediated by [[IgE]] antibodies and results in the recruitment of eosinophils to the lung tissue. | Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is caused by an exaggerated immune response to the microfilariae of the filarial parasites. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected [[mosquitoes]]. Once inside the human host, the microfilariae migrate to the lungs, where they trigger a hypersensitivity reaction. This reaction is mediated by [[IgE]] antibodies and results in the recruitment of eosinophils to the lung tissue. | ||
The accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs leads to inflammation and damage to the lung tissue, causing the characteristic symptoms of TPE. The condition is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions where filarial infections are endemic. | The accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs leads to inflammation and damage to the lung tissue, causing the characteristic symptoms of TPE. The condition is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions where filarial infections are endemic. | ||
==Clinical Presentation== | ==Clinical Presentation== | ||
Patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia typically present with a chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are often mistaken for [[asthma]] or other respiratory conditions. Other symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and fatigue. The cough is usually dry and may be accompanied by nocturnal wheezing. | Patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia typically present with a chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are often mistaken for [[asthma]] or other respiratory conditions. Other symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and fatigue. The cough is usually dry and may be accompanied by nocturnal wheezing. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The diagnosis of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and response to treatment. Key laboratory findings include: | The diagnosis of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and response to treatment. Key laboratory findings include: | ||
| Line 18: | Line 30: | ||
* Elevated serum IgE levels | * Elevated serum IgE levels | ||
* Positive serology for filarial antigens | * Positive serology for filarial antigens | ||
Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests may show evidence of lung involvement, such as interstitial infiltrates and restrictive lung disease. | Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests may show evidence of lung involvement, such as interstitial infiltrates and restrictive lung disease. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
The primary treatment for tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is the administration of [[diethylcarbamazine]] (DEC), which is effective in killing the microfilariae and alleviating symptoms. Treatment typically results in rapid improvement of respiratory symptoms and a decrease in eosinophil counts. | The primary treatment for tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is the administration of [[diethylcarbamazine]] (DEC), which is effective in killing the microfilariae and alleviating symptoms. Treatment typically results in rapid improvement of respiratory symptoms and a decrease in eosinophil counts. | ||
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is generally good. However, if left untreated, the condition can lead to chronic lung damage and respiratory failure. | With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is generally good. However, if left untreated, the condition can lead to chronic lung damage and respiratory failure. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Preventive measures include controlling the spread of filarial infections through mosquito control programs and the use of preventive medications in endemic areas. | Preventive measures include controlling the spread of filarial infections through mosquito control programs and the use of preventive medications in endemic areas. | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Eosinophilia]] | * [[Eosinophilia]] | ||
* [[Filarial infection]] | * [[Filarial infection]] | ||
* [[Asthma]] | * [[Asthma]] | ||
* [[Diethylcarbamazine]] | * [[Diethylcarbamazine]] | ||
[[Category:Pulmonary diseases]] | [[Category:Pulmonary diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | [[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Tropical diseases]] | [[Category:Tropical diseases]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:35, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Cough, dyspnea, wheezing, fever, weight loss |
| Complications | Pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale |
| Onset | Typically in adulthood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Filarial infection by Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi |
| Risks | Living in tropical and subtropical regions |
| Diagnosis | Blood test showing elevated eosinophil count, serology for filarial antibodies |
| Differential diagnosis | Asthma, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) |
| Medication | Diethylcarbamazine, antihistamines |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Rare in non-endemic areas |
| Deaths | Rare with treatment |
A rare form of eosinophilic lung disease associated with parasitic infections
Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is a rare and distinct form of eosinophilic lung disease that is associated with infection by certain filarial parasites, primarily Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. It is characterized by a marked increase in eosinophils in the blood and lungs, leading to respiratory symptoms.
Pathophysiology[edit]
Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is caused by an exaggerated immune response to the microfilariae of the filarial parasites. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Once inside the human host, the microfilariae migrate to the lungs, where they trigger a hypersensitivity reaction. This reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and results in the recruitment of eosinophils to the lung tissue. The accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs leads to inflammation and damage to the lung tissue, causing the characteristic symptoms of TPE. The condition is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions where filarial infections are endemic.
Clinical Presentation[edit]
Patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia typically present with a chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are often mistaken for asthma or other respiratory conditions. Other symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and fatigue. The cough is usually dry and may be accompanied by nocturnal wheezing.
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and response to treatment. Key laboratory findings include:
- Elevated levels of eosinophils in the blood (eosinophilia)
- Elevated serum IgE levels
- Positive serology for filarial antigens
Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests may show evidence of lung involvement, such as interstitial infiltrates and restrictive lung disease.
Treatment[edit]
The primary treatment for tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is the administration of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), which is effective in killing the microfilariae and alleviating symptoms. Treatment typically results in rapid improvement of respiratory symptoms and a decrease in eosinophil counts.
Prognosis[edit]
With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is generally good. However, if left untreated, the condition can lead to chronic lung damage and respiratory failure.
Prevention[edit]
Preventive measures include controlling the spread of filarial infections through mosquito control programs and the use of preventive medications in endemic areas.
