[Lung lesions of drug origin accompanied by hypereosinophilia]

A study is presented of 16 patients with eosinophilic lesions of the lungs due to drug treatment. The disease was characterized by a reduction of T-lymphocytes, inhibition of the enzymatic activity of leucocytes, dysproteinemia with hypergammaglobulinemia and reduction of IgG concentration. Patients with a high eosinophilia in the blood revealed a severe course of the disease with polysystemic involvement. The therapeutic effect was achieved only by means of prednisolone monotherapy. At the remote period they developed as a rule bronchial asthma. Patients with moderate eosinophilia showed a more favourable course, treatment proved successful with employment of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents, antihistaminic drugs in combination with nondrug treatment.