Find An Allergist / Immunologist | Pollen Levels | Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology | Annual Meeting   Contact    About AAAAI    Search
Patients & Consumers Conditions En Español Find an Allergist / Immunologist Just for Kids New Research Parent Resources Pollen Levels Publications Real Life Stories Request a Speaker School Tools Seniors The Virtual Allergist™ Treatments Search by Condition (A-Z) Search by Topic Allergy & Asthma Issues Educational Brochures Elements of Allergy and Asthma Order Public Education Materials Washington Post Supplement Allergy Shots Drug Guide Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)		SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2008 September 20, 2007 Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia Summary Background - Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is an unusual disorder of unknown etiology. Findings - CEP was reviewed by Alam and Burki of the Univ of Connecticut. The hallmark of CEP appears to be increased tissue levels of the eosinophil (Eos) chemoattractants eotoxin and RANTES as well as the cytokine IL-5 a major promoter of Eos production and survival. CEP generally presents with a chronic cough and sometimes systemic symptoms. Atopy is common but asthma is not a prerequisite. Infiltrates usually in the periphery of the lung, sometimes migratory are seen in x-rays. Airway obstruction occurs as a late complication at times. CEP is generally responsive to corticosteroid therapy but relapses are common when the prednisone dose is decreased below about 15 mg/day for an average sized adult. Reference South Med J 2007;100:49-53 Editor's Comments An interesting aspect of CEP is that asthma is unusual in this disorder unlike the situation in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or the Churg-Strauss Syndrome, two other disorders with eosinophil-rich migratory pulmonary infiltrates. In view of increased IL-5 activity in CEP, a trial of treatment with anti-IL5 monoclonal antibody (now available) may be worthwhile.   BACK
		© 1996-2010 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Disclaimers and Contact Information · Site Map