Pulmonary Eosinophilias

Abstract

Eosinophilia is an increase in the number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood. Among eosinophilias, pulmonary eosinophilias are distinguished, which are manifested by radiological changes and an increased content of eosinophils in the lungs. The basis of pathological changes in pulmonary eosinophilia is the activation of eosinophils. They cause bronchospasm, bronchial hyperreactivity, increased vascular permeability and increased fibrosis processes. In the absence of bronchial hyperreactivity, eosinophils limit the development of allergic reactions, and block and eliminate inflammatory mediators (protective effect). With pathology, such protection is disrupted, and the pool of eosinophils increases and eosinophilia of an inflammatory-destructive nature appears with destruction of the interstitium (cytotoxic effect). The etiology of many pulmonary eosinophilias is unknown; there is a possibility that their occurrence may be influenced by certain medications, parasitic infestations and helminth infections. With many pulmonary eosinophilias, lesions also occur in the skin, bones, blood vessels, hepatobiliary and nervous systems. In the treatment of pulmonary eosinophilia, corticosteroids, interferons, monoclonal antibodies and extracorporeal hemocorrection are used. Symptomatic therapy is prescribed to eliminate the clinical symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life.