title: Refining the definition of hypereosinophilic syndrome.
abstract: Because of advances in our understanding of the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and the availability of novel therapeutic agents, the original criteria defining these disorders are becoming increasingly problematic. Here, we discuss shortcomings with the current definition of HES and recent developments in the classification of these disorders. Despite significant progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis of some forms of HES, the current state of knowledge is still insufficient to formulate a new comprehensive etiologic definition of HESs. Nevertheless, we suggest a new working definition that overcomes some of the most obvious limitations with the original definition.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Switzerland. hus@pki.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Hans-Uwe
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Marc E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rothenberg
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bochner
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wardlaw
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Lanny J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rosenwasser
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roufosse
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gleich
authors.forename: Amy D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Klion
mesh_terms: D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014944:World Health Organization