Acute and Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonias

초록

Although eosinophils may rise to 5-25% of the cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in a variety of conditions, more than 25% eosinophils in BAL fluid strongly suggest one of the eosinophilic pneumonias. Acute eosinophilc pneumonia (AEP) is a sudden and febrile illness that can results in life-threatening respiratory failure, frequently misdiagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia. Most patients respond rapidly and completely to glucocorticoids, generally without relapse. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is a protracted disease of usually more than a month before presentation, with mild to moderate hypoxemia. The disorder is highly responsive to glucocorticoid therapy, but recurs frequent when tapering or after stopping glucocorticoid therapy. Some patients have a history of asthma at diagnosis or develop severe asthma at some time in the follow-up. There are significant relationships between asthma and chronic eosinophilc pneumonia. (Korean J Med 2013;84:502-508)

키워드