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Changes in the peripheral eosinophil count in patients with acute eosinophilic myocarditis
Shin-ichiro Morimoto1, Natsuko Kubo, Shinya Hiramitsu
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan. morimoto@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Heart and Vessels
|October 2, 2003
Summary
Peripheral hypereosinophilia is not always present at the onset of eosinophilic myocarditis and may not develop during illness. This finding is crucial for diagnosing eosinophilic myocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Eosinophilic myocarditis diagnosis often relies on elevated peripheral blood eosinophil counts.
- Sequential changes in eosinophil counts during the disease course are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal patterns of peripheral blood eosinophil counts in patients with confirmed eosinophilic myocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood eosinophil counts were measured at presentation and intermittently thereafter in eight patients with biopsy-proven eosinophilic myocarditis.
Main Results:
- Initial eosinophil counts varied: <500/mm³ in 4 patients, 500-1000/mm³ in 3, and ≥1000/mm³ in 1.
- Three of four patients with initial counts <500/mm³ developed counts ≥500/mm³ within 7-12 days.
- One patient never developed peripheral eosinophilia.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral hypereosinophilia may be absent at the initial presentation of eosinophilic myocarditis.
- A subset of patients may not develop peripheral eosinophilia during the illness course.
- These findings highlight the variability in eosinophil count presentation for eosinophilic myocarditis.