Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia associated with pleural effusions

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is a lung disease caused by an allergic response to microfilariae.
• It typically presents with cough, wheezing, and eosinophilia.

Observation:

• A 28-year-old female presented with dyspnea, marked eosinophilia (39%), and bilateral pleural effusions on chest X-ray.
• The presentation was clinically suggestive of TPE, despite the rarity of pleural effusion in TPE cases.

Findings:

• This case highlights that pleural effusions can occur in TPE.
• The patient's presentation adds to the limited literature on TPE-associated pleural effusions.

Implications:

• Pleural effusions should not rule out a TPE diagnosis.
• TPE should be included in the differential diagnosis for eosinophilic pleural effusions.