[A CASE OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS WHO HAS DEVELOPED EOSINOPHILIC PNEUMONIA, FOLLOWED BY EOSINOPHILIC CELLULITIS]

Hiroaki Kume1,2, Manabu Uematsu2, Hikaru Tomita2

  • 1Center for Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Nogami Hospital.

Arerugi = [Allergy]
|December 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A 68-year-old man developed acute eosinophilic pneumonia and eosinophilic cellulitis, likely triggered by antibiotics. Steroid therapy proved effective in managing these conditions, suggesting hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Pulmonology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • A 68-year-old man with allergic rhinitis and peripheral blood eosinophilia presented with fever of unknown origin.
  • The patient developed an itchy rash and bilateral lung opacities with pleural effusions after antibiotic administration.

Observation:

  • Acute respiratory failure necessitated treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy, which was effective.
  • Eosinophilic pneumonia recurred during steroid dose reduction, indicating a relapsing course.
  • Upon oral steroid tapering, the patient developed eosinophilic cellulitis on the left forearm, confirmed by skin biopsy showing dermal eosinophil infiltration.

Findings:

  • The case presented with sequential manifestations of acute eosinophilic pneumonia and eosinophilic cellulitis.
  • Histopathological findings of skin biopsy supported the diagnosis of eosinophilic cellulitis.
  • The patient's condition responded well to high-dose corticosteroid therapy, with subsequent gradual reduction and monitoring.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for antibiotic-induced eosinophilic lung and skin diseases.
  • The presentation suggests a possible diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome due to continuous eosinophil recruitment.
  • Effective management involved prompt diagnosis and corticosteroid therapy, emphasizing the importance of considering eosinophilic disorders in unexplained inflammatory conditions.

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