Eosinophilia in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis

The prevalence of eosinophilia (eosinophil counts greater than 400/mm3) in 69 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for one to 80 months was estimated as 52,2%, in a random examination. On the other hand, a retrospective chart review of 30 patients hemodialyzed at one unit between 1973 and 1981 showed that 14 of them developed either recurrent of continuous eosinophilia, while 16 never had elevated eosinophil counts over a period of 21 to 72 months. In the whole group of 30 patients, mean eosinophil count increased progressively during the first two years of hemodialysis treatment and remained unchanged thereafter. All cases of eosinophilia were observed between the years 1977 and 1981 i.e., at least two years after a change in the type of dialyzers used at this unit.