Pulmonary eosinophilia due to Trichomonas tenax.
A 39 year old woman was admitted with fever and an exacerbation of asthma. The chest radiograph showed extensive bilateral lung infiltrates, but transtracheal needle aspiration did not reveal any infectious organisms. The bronchoalveolar fluid lavage contained a large number of Trichomonas tenax and an increased percentage of eosinophils. Corticosteroids provided a dramatic response. Because of the relatively high frequency of colonisation of the human mouth by T tenax (about 20%), this organism should be considered in all cases of pulmonary eosinophilia.
El Kamel
A
A
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Fattouma Bourguiba, University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
Rouetbi
N
N
Chakroun
M
M
Battikh
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D014244:Trichomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014245:Trichomonas Infections
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone