Eosinophilic pneumonia differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia may be differentiated from other causes of pulmonary eosinophilia

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP)

• The cause of acute eosinophilic pneumonia is unknown.
• Some investigators have suggested that AEP is an acute hypersensitivity reaction to an unidentified inhaled antigen in an otherwise healthy individual [1].

Transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae (Löffler syndrome)

• Three types of helminths, Ascaris (A. lumbricoides, A. suum), hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus), and Strongyloides stercoralis, have larvae that reach the lungs, penetrate into alveoli, and ascend the airways then reach the gastrointestinal tract. [10]
• Ascaris is the most common cause of Löffler syndrome worldwide. [11]

Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia

• Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia is immune response to the bloodborne microfilarial stages of the lymphatic filariae and Wuchereria bancrofti. [16-18].
• The typical symptoms are cough, breathlessness, wheezing, fatigue, and fever. Pulmonary function tests may show a mixed restrictive and obstructive abnormality with a reduction in diffusion capacity. [18]

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis

• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss) is a vasculitic disorder often characterized by sinusitis, asthma, and prominent peripheral blood eosinophilia. [49]
• It is the sole form of vasculitis that is associated with both eosinophilia and frequent lung involvement. In addition to the lungs, the skin and the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurologic systems may also be involved.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a complex hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when airways become colonized by Aspergillus. [51]
• Repeated episodes of bronchial obstruction, inflammation, and mucoid impaction can lead to bronchiectasis, fibrosis, and respiratory compromise.
• Immunologic responses elicited by Aspergillus fumigatus are responsible for this syndrome.

Drugs and toxins

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction that includes skin eruption, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, lymphadenopathy, and kidney involvement. Drugs causing DRESS are:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [26]
• anticonvulsants
• antidepressants
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
• beta blockers
• hydrochlorothiazide
• sulfa-containing compounds [27]

Differential Diagnosis

	Clinical Picture	Laboratory diagnosis	Imaging	Treatment
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia	Onset <1 month
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia	Onset >2–4 week
Transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis		Peripheral blood eosinophilia: Between 5 and 20,000/mm BAL eosinophilia greater than 25% and usually greater than 40% Increase in serum IgE and C-reactive protein ANCAs are found in only 40% of patients