Asthmatic adult with marked blood eosinophilia: is it truly asthma?. (7th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tan, Shera; Takano, Angela; Ho, Aloysius; Tan, Keng Leong
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-05-07
• Subjects: asthma -- haematology (incl blood transfusion) -- lung function; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222344
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A middle-aged woman presented with symptoms suggestive of allergic asthma but with markedly elevated peripheral eosinophilia. She did not respond to inhaled corticosteroids, thereby prompting further investigations. Chest radiograph was normal. CT of the chest revealed bi-apical ground glass opacities. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed predominantly eosinophilic yield. Autoimmune screen was negative. Bone marrow biopsy showed a normocellular marrow with increased eosinophils. A diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) was made after exclusion of other causes of eosinophilia. Treatment of her CEP with systemic corticosteroids (prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day) resulted in dramatic improvement in symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia.