Alternative Names
Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; Loeffler syndrome
Definition of Simple pulmonary eosinophilia:
Simple pulmonary eosinophilia is inflammation of the lungs associated with an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Most cases of simple pulmonary eosinophilia are due to an allergic reaction, either from a drug, such as sulfonamide, or infection from a fungus or parasite, including Ascaris lumbricoides.
Symptoms:
The symptoms can range from none at all to severe. They may go away without treatment.
Signs and tests:
The health care provider will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. Crackle-like sounds called rales may be heard. Rales suggest inflammation of the lung tissue.
A blood count test shows increased white blood cells, particularly eosinophils.
Chest x-ray usually shows abnormal shadows called infiltrates. They may disappear with time or reappear in different areas of the lung.
A bronchoscopy with washing may show a large number of eosinophils.
Gastric lavage may show signs of the ascaris worm.
Treatment:
If you are allergic to a drug, the doctor may have you stop taking it. (But, never stop a medication without consulting with your doctor first.)
If the condition is due to an infection, you may be treated with an antibiotic or anti-parasitic medication.
Sometime, corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory medicines) may be needed.
Expectations (prognosis):
The disease often goes away without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good. However, relapses can occur.Complications:
A rare complication of simple pulmonary eosinophilia is a severe type of pneumonia called acute idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia.
Calling your health care provider:
See your health care provider if you have symptoms that may be linked with this disorder. Prevention:
This is a rare disorder. Many times, the cause cannot be found. Minimizing exposure to possible risk factors (certain medicines, some metals) may reduce risk. 
