Hypereosinophilic syndrome in an atopic patient.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare, heterogeneous group of systemic diseases characterized by sustained overproduction of eosinophils leading to variable end-organ damage. The skin is affected in 45-60% of patients and may be of diagnostic and prognostic value. In 1975, three criteria were suggested for the diagnosis of HES: (i) blood eosinophilia of > 1.5 x 10(9)/L present for > 6 months, (ii) no apparent cause for the hypereosinophilia, and (iii) signs of end-organ dysfunction. We present a patient with hypereosinophilia in whom a delay in diagnosing HES occurred, partly due to his atopic constitution. However, atopy is not associated with such high or longstanding eosinophilia.
Neve
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.neve@vumc.nl
Beukers
S
S
Kirtschig
G
G
D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone