Loffler's Syndrome

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Etiology 3 Epidemiology 4 Pathology 5 Clinical-manifestations 6 Laboratory 7 Radiology 8 More General Terms 9 Additional Terms 10 References

Introduction

• Transient pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia.

Etiology

• helminth infection
• pharmaceutical agents
• idiopathic

Epidemiology

• rare & generally occurs in individuals previously exposed to Ascaris antigens

Pathology

• parasitic ( helminths)
• migration of nematode larvae through the lungs where they mature in the alveolar capillary bed
• from there, they enter the alveoli & are carried by respiratory clearance mechanisms to the epiglottis where they are swallowed to regain access to the intestines

Clinical-manifestations

• bilateral, diffuse, mottled pulmonary infiltrates
• mild bronchitis

Laboratory

• eosinophilia

Radiology

• chest X-ray: transient pulmonary infiltrates

More General Terms

• syndrome
• lung disease
• pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia (PIE) syndrome

Additional Terms

• Ascaris lumbricoides
• helminth infection

References

1. Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1285
2. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998

Loffler's syndrome (simple pulmonary eosinophilia)