Eosinophilia Due to Allergic Disease - A Presentation

What Are Eosinophils?

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that fights infections. They help to fight infections of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Eosinophils rise when the person has infections and allergies. Eosinophils are white blood cells that destroy foreign substances. Eosinophilia is a medical condition where the eosinophil count is very high. They are essential in the body’s immune response, as they contain proteins and other substances that can kill, destroy, or deactivate bacteria and other pathogens. Eosinophils are produced in response to parasitic skin conditions and fungal infections. They are produced in the bone marrow and found in the thymus, lymph nodes, uterus, and ovaries. Eosinophils are found to be low in number, about one to four percent of the total white blood cell count. The eosinophils release free radicals and toxic proteins to fight parasitic infections.

Eosinophilia is a condition that is characterized by high levels of eosinophils. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are crucial to the immune system. The high levels of eosinophils lead to inflammation and tissue damage.

The factors that cause eosinophilia are asthma, allergy, parasitic infections, and a few autoimmune diseases and cancer. The symptoms include rash, diarrhea, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. A physical examination and blood tests are done to measure the eosinophil levels. The testing is necessary to determine the cause of the condition. The treatment for eosinophilia includes medications such as immunosuppressants and Corticosteroids. The eosinophils become very low during conditions like Cushing’s syndrome (a condition that occurs due to exposure to high cortisol levels in the body). The eosinophils release highly toxic proteins and free radicals that help fight parasitic infections and microorganisms. They help fight diseases by curbing infections and boosting inflammation that helps fight off the disease.

What Is Eosinophilia?

Eosinophilia, defined as a peripheral blood eosinophil count greater than 450 cells per microliter, is associated with numerous disorders, including allergies, drug reactions, helminth infections and some malignancies and metabolic disorders, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, hypereosinophilic syndrome. Eosinophils are bone marrow-derived leukocytes that are usually less than five percent of leukocytes in the blood but can be found in higher numbers in tissues such as the bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. Recruitment of activated eosinophils from the bloodstream into tissues can occur under a variety of conditions that can lead to the release of preformed and newly synthesized products, including cytokines, chemokines, lipid mediators, and cytotoxic granule proteins, that can initiate, quickly escalate and sustain local inflammatory and remodeling responses.

What Are the Causes of Eosinophilia?

There are two types of eosinophilia: primary and secondary eosinophilia. Eosinophilia is an increased number of eosinophils in the blood or tissues. Eosinophils play an important role in the immune system by destroying foreign substances. They also promote inflammation, which is beneficial in controlling the disease site. The most common causes of eosinophilia are allergic reactions and parasitic diseases. Eosinophils also play a key role in allergies and asthma. Eosinophilia occurs when the bone marrow produces many eosinophils. These cells are produced in large numbers in the following conditions:

• Tumors.

• Toxins.

• Allergic reactions.

• Autoimmune disorders.

• Adrenal reactions.

• Hay fever.

• Drug allergy.

• Asthma.

• Allergies.

• Ascariasis (a parasitic infection caused by roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides).

What Are the Allergic Causes of Eosinophilia?

The causes of eosinophilia are skin disorders, endocrine disorders, and allergic reactions.

The allergic disorders of eosinophilia are:

• Hay fever (an allergic response that causes watery eyes and itchiness).

• Stevens-johnson syndrome (a serious disorder of mucous membranes and skin).

• Food allergic reactions.

• DRESS syndrome (delayed type of type 4 hypersensitivity reaction).

The skin diseases include:

• Pemphigus (a disease that causes blistering of the skin and in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, and genitals).

• Atopic dermatitis (itchy inflammation of the skin).

• Eczema (inflamed, itchy, and cracked skin).

• Mycosis fungoides (type of blood cancer).

The allergic reactions are classified as the presence of eosinophils. Allergic rhino conjunctivitis increases the levels of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa. In atopic dermatitis, there are increased levels of eosinophils in the skin and peripheral blood. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders have increased levels of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract.

What Are the Diagnostic Tests for Eosinophilia?

The diagnostic test for eosinophilia is a complete blood count. The complete blood count measures the types and number of blood cells. In eosinophilia, the complete blood count shows a high number of eosinophils in the blood. In addition to the complete blood count, other tests are ordered to determine the causes of eosinophilia. The tests include allergy testing and tissue biopsies.

• Allergy testing helps identify the allergens that trigger the immune system that causes eosinophilia. X-rays or CT (computed tomography) scans identify the abnormalities in the tissues or organs that cause eosinophilia.

• In tissue biopsies, a small sample of tissue is removed from an affected area and examined to determine any inflammation. Eosinophilia can be a symptom of other different medical conditions.

What Is the Treatment for Eosinophilia?

The treatment for eosinophilia depends on the cause of the condition. The allergen is identified and the cause is treated.

• Antihistamines are prescribed to treat symptoms such as swelling and itching.

• Corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce inflammation.

• In parasitic infections, antiparasitic medication is prescribed to kill the parasites. The offending drug should be stopped if drug reactions cause the condition. The symptoms are treated with Corticosteroids and Antihistamines (Antihistamines are medications that relieve symptoms of fever, hives, and allergies).

• If the cause of eosinophilia is unknown, then it is called idiopathic eosinophilia. The treatment involves regular monitoring of eosinophil levels and symptomatic relief with Corticosteroids. Eosinophilia leads to serious complications if left untreated.

• In severe eosinophilia, the treatment involves more aggressive use of corticosteroids. The treatment for eosinophilia is done under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Does Eosinophilia Cause Fatigue?

Yes, eosinophilia causes fatigue. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes narrowing of the airways and inflammation that leads to difficulty in breathing. Asthma is often associated with eosinophilia and can cause fatigue. Another condition associated with eosinophilia is hypereosinophilic syndrome. Hypereosinophilia syndrome is a rare blood disorder caused by persistent eosinophilia. Hypereosinophilic causes fatigue due to the strain on organs. Parasitic infections such as helminthiasis (caused by parasitic worms) cause eosinophilia. Overall, eosinophilia does not directly cause fatigue. It can be indicative of underlying conditions or diseases that can lead to this symptom.

Conclusion:

Eosinophilia is a medical condition where there are abnormally high levels of eosinophils. The causes and symptoms of eosinophilia vary depending on the treatment and cause. Some people may experience no symptoms, while others experience cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fever. The causes of eosinophilia can be allergies, autoimmune diseases, asthma, and parasitic infections.