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Loeffler syndrome


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Synonyms and keywords: Loeffler’s syndrome; Löffler disease; Löffler pneumonia; Löffler syndrome; Löffler’s syndrome; Simple pulmonary eosinophilia; Tropical eosinophilic pneumonia

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Loeffler syndrome is rare a form of eosinophilic pulmonary disease, which is characterized by mild respiratory symptoms such as dry cough, wheezing, dyspnea, fever, and blood-tinged sputum containing eosinophil-derived Charcot-Leyden crystals, fleeting migratory pulmonary opacities in chest x-ray, and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Parasitic infections, especially Ascaris lumbricoides, may be the cause, but an identifiable etiologic agent is not found in up to one-third of patients. Transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae is the most precise definition of Loeffler syndrome in the literature, nevertheless, there are plenty of controversial definitions under the cluster of eosinophilic pulmonary disorders. The diagnosis of Löffler syndrome is based on characteristic and often transient respiratory symptoms, chest x-ray findings, and peripheral blood eosinophilia. It requires the exclusion of other types of eosinophilic lung disease. such as acute eosinophilic pneumonia which is a distinct entity with acute onset, severe hypoxemia, and a lack of increased blood eosinophils at the onset of disease. Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting condition which is usually resolved within 3-4 weeks.

Historical perspective

In 1932, Wilhelm Löffler drew attention to the disease in cases of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by the parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis and the hookworms, such as Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. Although Löffler only described eosinophilic pneumonia in the context of infection, many authors give the term “Löffler’s syndrome” to any form of acute onset pulmonary eosinophilia no matter what the underlying cause. If the cause is unknown, it is specified and called “simple pulmonary eosinophilia“.

Pathophysiology

It is understood that Löffler syndrome is the result of transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae. Helminths, with a pulmonary life cycle are responsible for this syndrome, among them are Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis.

Causes

Loeffler syndrome may be caused by Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis.

Differential diagnosis

Loeffler syndrome must be differentiated from other diseases that cause pulmonary eosinophilia, such as Churg-Strauss, drug and toxin-induced eosinophilic lung diseases, other helminthic and fungal infection related eosinophilic lung diseases, and nonhelminthic infections such as Coccidioidomycosis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Epidemiology and demographics

Löffler syndrome is due to intestinal helminth infections with a pulmonary cycle which is distributed worldwide; nonetheless, parasitic infections such as Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis are more prevalent in tropical areas particularly in communities with low socioeconomic status and poor sanitary conditions. In the United States, 20-67% of children in rural southern communities have been reported to suffer from ascariasis; Nevertheless, there are no specific statistics for the occurrence of Löffler syndrome. Globalization increased immigration, and travel warrants alertness of US physicians and the other health care works of developed countries, because an encounter with imported tropical diseases and thus the resulted Löffler syndrome could be more likely nowadays. The case-fatality rate/mortality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero. There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome. Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity. Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.

Risk factors

There are no established risk factors for Loffler syndrome. Nevertheless, it has been shown that Indians, children, people live in tropical areas are at increased risk for developing the Loeffler syndrome. Common risk factors in the development of helminthic disorders such as ascariasis are often associated with poor sanitary conditions and environmental fecal contamination. Poor socioeconomic conditions, use of human feces as fertilizer, lack of hand washing, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, environmental contamination with feces are among known conditions which were correlated to ascariasis. Common risk factors in the development of strongyloidiasis include: Occupations that increase contact with contaminated soil such as farming and coal mining, barefoot walking (cultural or low socioeconomic status), Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection, Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and other medications, Immune reconstitution syndrome, Hematologic malignancies (lymphoma), Tuberculosis, Malnutrition, Diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD), chronic renal failure, Living in endemic regions, Alcoholics, Travelers, and immigrants.

Natural history, complications and prognosis

Löffler syndrome generally presents as a mild syndrome which spontaneously resolves after 2-4 weeks. The symptoms of Löffler syndrome usually develop 10-16 days after ingestion of Ascaris eggs, or N americanus, A duodenale, S stercoralis infection, and start with common symptoms such as fever, malaise, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. Cough is the most common symptom, which is generally dry and nonproductive but might be productive or even present with small amounts of blood-tinged mucoid sputum. A less common presentation is accompanied by myalgia, anorexia, and urticaria. In order to identify risk factors for exposure to parasites, immigration status, socioeconomic status, hygiene, sanitation, as well as travel history should be carefully elicited. Prognosis is generally excellent, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with Loffler syndrome is approximately 100%. The case-fatality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero. There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome. Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity. Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.

History and symptoms

The majority of patients with Löffler syndrome generally presents as a mild syndrome which spontaneously resolves after 2-4 weeks. The symptoms of Löffler syndrome usually develop 10-16 days after ingestion of Ascaris eggs, or N americanus, A duodenale, S stercoralis infection, and start with common symptoms such as fever, malaise, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. Cough is the most common symptom, which is generally dry and nonproductive but might be productive or even present with small amounts of blood-tinged mucoid sputum. Less common symptoms of Löffler syndrome include myalgia, anorexia, and urticaria. In order to identify risk factors for exposure to parasites, immigration status, socioeconomic status, hygiene, sanitation, as well as travel history should be carefully elicited.

Physical examination

Usually, physical examination reveals no abnormality. Cutaneous features of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Lung auscultation might have crackles on physical examination (common), with or without wheezing. Hence, common physical examination findings of Löffler syndrome include wheezing, rash, and mild fever.

Laboratory findings

A complete blood count (CBC) with differential may show increased white blood cells, particularly eosinophils. In Loeffler syndrome eosinophilia is generally mild to moderate, usually 5-20%. On the other hand, in certain types of pulmonary eosinophilia, higher percentages are reported. For example, in drug-induced eosinophilia, eosinophils may account for as much as 40% of the WBCs. Generally, the result of stool examination is negative at the time of the Loeffler syndrome presentation. Nevertheless, parasites and ova can be found in the stool 6-12 weeks after the initial parasitic infection. Pulmonary symptoms usually have been resolved when parasitic forms are found in the stool. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level might be elevated. A bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage may show increased eosinophilic count. Sputum analysis or gastric lavage may occasionally show larvae of Ascaris or the other parasites with pulmonary cycle.

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with Löffler syndrome.

Chest X ray

A chest x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of Löffler syndrome. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of Löffler syndrome include migratory densities. Chest x-ray usually shows abnormal shadows that can be unilateral or bilateral. Generally, densities are peripheral and present with both interstitial and alveolar pattern (at the same time), they are a few centimeters in diameter, and are transient, migratory, and disappear completely within 2-4 weeks. Pleural effusions is not common in Loeffler syndrome, but there are reports of pleural effusion in patients with drug-induced pulmonary eosinophilia. (nitrofurantoin, valproic acid)

Ct Scan

Chest CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of Löffler syndrome. Findings on CT scan suggestive of Löffler syndrome include areas of ground-glass opacity (halo) around consolidation, nodules, and dilated airways within the lesion.

Echocardiography or ultrasound

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with Löffler syndrome.

Other imaging findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with Löffler syndrome.

Other diagnostic studies

Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage may be helpful in the diagnosis of Löffler syndrome. Findings suggestive of Löffler syndrome include increased cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), specifically, lymphocytes and eosinophils and neutrophils.

References

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Historical Perspective


File:Wilhelm Löffler (1961), was a respected Swiss clinician-scientist. Source. Nationaal Archief- https—www.nationaalarchief.nl-onderzoeken-fotocollectie-detail-a9d4bf64-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84urce-.jpg
Wilhelm Löffler in 1961 (1887-1972), was a respected Swiss clinician-scientist. Source. Nationaal Archief: https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/fotocollectie/detail/a9d4bf64-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84urce:

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

In 1932, Wilhelm Löffler drew attention to the disease in cases of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by the parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis and the hookworms, such as Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. Although Löffler only described eosinophilic pneumonia in the context of infection, many authors give the term “Löffler’s syndrome” to any form of acute onset pulmonary eosinophilia no matter what the underlying cause. If the cause is unknown, it is specified and called “simple pulmonary eosinophilia“.

Historical perspective

  • Asthma
  • Parasitic infections, such as “Anchylostomiasis, Bilharzia huematobia, Trichina spiralis, Hydatid disease; and to less extent with Taenia solium, Taania medio canellata, and Bothriocephalus latus; whilst it does not occur at all with Trichocephalus dispar, Oxyuris vermicularis, or Scabies; and Ascaris lumbricoides.”
  • Skin diseases such as bullous dermatoses: “Pemphigus, Erythema bullosiim, Erythema iris, Dermatitis herpetiformis, and Herpes gestationis.”
  • In 1922, Koino, a dedicated Japanese clinician scientist studied Ascaris on humans.
  • He himself ingested 2000 mature eggs of human Ascaris, which produced symptoms of pneumonia, including fever, dyspnea, productive cough, hemoptysis, and sputum containing larvae. Koino named it ‘Ascaris pneumonia’.
  • He also made an experiment on his brother , he fed his younger brother 500 mature Ascaris eggs from the pig, and observed and episode of fever, dyspnea, and productive cough without blood or sputum containing larvae. “CAB Direct”.
  • In his first report, Löffler described four cases of transient (lasting 3-8 days) pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray, with very little to no symptoms, and normal white cell counts, except eosinophilia in two of the cases. He discovered these infiltrates while performing mass X-ray surveillance of tuberculosis patients in ZĂŒrich at the time.“Zur Differential-Diagnose der Lungeninfiltrierungen | SpringerLink”.
  • In 1936 Löffler published 51 additional cases of the syndrome he had observed.[1]
  • They fed six volunteers with small amount of Ascaris eggs (6 to 45 eggs) which produced significant symptoms in five of the volunteers.
  • This demonstrated an allergic element to the Löffler syndrome.
  • In 1943, Weingarten published 81 cases from the coastal areas of India with a gradual onset of chronic (lasting up to years) spasmodic bronchitis, leucocytosis, massive blood eosinophilia, and X-ray of lung infiltrates in the acute phase.“TROPICAL EOSINOPHILIA – The Lancet”.
  • He named this syndrome ‘tropical eosinophilia’, and directly stated it to be different from the milder symptoms and transient nature of Löffler syndrome.[2]
  • Tropical eosinophilia has occasionally been referred to as Weingarten syndrome and thought to be due to an immune response to microfilariae.
  • Nevertheless, plenty of clinician scientists believe that the so-called tropical eosinophilia is a mere modality of Loeffler’s syndrome.[3]
  • In 1943, Maier published 100 cases of the syndrome he observed in Löffler’s clinic. He believed the lung infiltrates to be similar to the temporary infiltrations from eosinophilic pneumonia observed in asthma.
  • In 1948, Löffler injected Ascaris into guinea pigs which induced the syndrome in these animals.[4]
  • In 1952, Crofton proposed the term pulmonary eosinophilia to include the range of diseases with pulmonary infiltration and blood eosinophilia.[5]
  • The classification of pulmonary eosinophilia into five groups included:
  • Although Löffler only described eosinophilic pneumonia in the context of infection, many authors give the term “Löffler’s syndrome” to any form of acute onset pulmonary eosinophilia no matter what the underlying cause. If the cause is unknown, it is specified and called “simple pulmonary eosinophilia”.[6][7][8]
  • Cardiac damage caused by the damaging effects of eosinophil granule proteins (ex. major basic protein) is known as Loeffler endocarditis and can be caused by idiopathic eosinophilia or eosinophilia in response to parasitic infection.
  • The most well-known case of Löffler’s syndrome was in a young boy from Louisiana. He arrived at the hospital reporting a high fever after three days, as well as having rapid breathing. ”He was hospitalized and treated with supplemental oxygen, intravenous methylprednisolone, and nebulized albuterol.” The boy’s symptoms quickly subsided and upon further investigation, it was discovered that the boy worked caring for pigs. A test was then performed on the pigs’ fecal matter and surrounding soil; it contained the parasite that had caused the boy’s ailment.[9]
  • Another incident again involved a young boy who had suffered from vomiting and a fever for a span of 3 months. When the doctors finally took an echocardiograph of the child they discovered that the “patient’s admission blood count showed leukocytosis with an abnormally elevated level of peripheral eosinophils.” The child was then diagnosed with Löffler’s endocarditis and immediately began immunosuppressive therapy to decline the eosinophilic count.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Löffler, W. (1932). “Zur Differential-Diagnose der Lungenifiltrierungen. I. FrĂŒhfiltrate unter besonerer BerĂŒcksichtigung der RĂŒckbildungszeiten”. BeitrĂ€ge zum Klinik der Tuberkulose. 79: 338–367.
    Löffler, W. (1932). “Zur Differential-Diagnose der Lungenifiltrierungen. II. Über flĂŒchtige Succedan-Infiltrate (mit Eosinophilie)”. BeitrĂ€ge zum Klinik der Tuberkulose. 79: 368–382.
    Löffler, W. (1935). “FlĂŒchtige Lungeninfiltrate mit Eosinophilia”. Klinische Wochjenschrift. Berlin. 14 (9): 297–9. doi:10.1007/BF01782394.
  2. ↑ Mullerpattan JB, Udwadia ZF, Udwadia FE (2013) Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia–a review. Indian J Med Res 138 (3):295-302. PMID: 24135173
  3. ↑ FROILANO de MELLO I (1945) The so-called tropical eosinophilia is a mere modality of Loeffler’s syndrome. Antiseptic 42 ():533-44. PMID: 21004700
  4. ↑ LOFFLER W, ESSELLIER AF, MACEDO ME (1948) [Not Available.] Helv Med Acta 15 (3):223-39. PMID: 18879263
  5. ↑ CROFTON JW, LIVINGSTONE JL, OSWALD NC, ROBERTS AT (1952) Pulmonary eosinophilia. Thorax 7 (1):1-35. DOI:10.1136/thx.7.1.1 PMID: 14913498
  6. ↑ SASLAW MS, BOWMAN JA (1946) Loeffler’s syndrome. J Fla Med Assoc 32 ():373. PMID: 21007279
  7. ↑ SPECTOR HI (1945) Loeffler’s syndrome (transient pulmonary infiltrations with eosinophilia); report of a case and a review of the available literature. Dis Chest 11 ():380-91. PMID: 21025484
  8. ↑ GREIG ED (1945) On tropical eosinophilia associated with pulmonary signs (Loeffler’s syndrome). J Trop Med Hyg 48 ():149-51. PMID: 21010826
  9. ↑ Gipson K, Avery R, Shah H, Pepiak D, BĂ©guĂ© RE, Malone J et al. (2016) Löffler syndrome on a Louisiana pig farm. Respir Med Case Rep 19 ():128-131. DOI:10.1016/j.rmcr.2016.09.003 PMID: 27709064

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

It is understood that Löffler syndrome is the result of transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae. Helminths, with a pulmonary life cycle are responsible for this syndrome, among them are Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis.

Pathophysiology

Pathogenesis

  • It is understood that Löffler syndrome is the result of the transpulmonary passage of helminth larvae. Helminths, with a pulmonary life cycle are responsible for this acute hypersensitivity reaction syndrome, among them are Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis.
  • Pathogen is usually transmitted via the oral route (Ascaris) or penetrate the skin (Necator) to the human host.[1][2][3][4][5]
  • Following transmission/ingestion, infecting larvae reach the lungs via the bloodstream, penetrate into alveoli, mature, and ascend the airways before descending the alimentary tract into the small bowel
  • Ascaris is the most common cause of Löffler syndrome worldwide. On the other hand, migrating larvae of hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus) and Strongyloides are less likely to elicit symptoms or pulmonary eosinophilia.
The Life Cycle of Ascaris lumbricoides
(1) Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. A female may produce approximately 200,000 eggs per day, which are passed with the feces. (2) Unfertilized eggs may be ingested but are not infective. (2) and (3) Fertile eggs embryonate and become infective in 5-10 days depending on the environmental conditions (optimum: moist, warm, shaded soil). (4) Infective eggs are swallowed. (5) The larvae hatch, invade the intestinal mucosa and are carried via the portal, then systemic circulation to the lungs. (6) The larvae mature further in the lungs (10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls, ascend the bronchial tree to the throat. (7) The larvae are then swallowed. Upon reaching the small intestine, they develop into adult worms. The female Ascaris begin depositing eggs in 8-10 weeks. Adult worms can live 1 to 2 years. – Source: https://www.cdc.gov/
The life cycle of hookworms, (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus). Eggs are passed in the stool The number 1, and under favorable conditions (moisture, warmth, shade), larvae hatch in 1 to 2 days. The released rhabditiform larvae grow in the feces and/or the soil The number 2, and after 5 to 10 days (and two molts) they become filariform (third-stage) larvae that are infective The number 3. These infective larvae can survive 3 to 4 weeks in favorable environmental conditions. On contact with the human host, the larvae penetrate the skin and are carried through the blood vessels to the heart and then to the lungs. They penetrate into the pulmonary alveoli, ascend the bronchial tree to the pharynx, and are swallowed The number 4. The larvae reach the small intestine, where they reside and mature into adults. Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine, where they attach to the intestinal wall with resultant blood loss by the host The number 5. Most adult worms are eliminated in 1 to 2 years, but the longevity may reach several years. Source:https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm/biology.html.Life cycle image and information courtesy of DPDx.


  • Pulmonary eosinophilia is a different term, with a wider range of infectious and noninfectious pathophysiology.
  • Parasites without pulmonary cycle has been linked to pulmonary eosinophilia.
  • It is believed that pulmonary eosinophilia is a hypersensitivity reaction due to circulating, but not local inflammatory mediators such as likeinterleukin-5 (IL-5).
  • Since challenged athymic mice have not developed pulmonary eosinophilia, it has been suggested that pulmonary eosinophilia is aT cell-dependent phenomenon.

Associated Conditions

Conditions associated with Loeffler syndrome include subjects infected with:

Gross Pathology

  • Loeffler syndrome has its own characteristic imaging findings.
  • Biopsy is rarely performed
  • Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, radiographic findings, and shreds of evidence of parasite presence in pulmonary secretions.
  • Blood-tinged sputum might be presented.

Microscopic Pathology

  • Eosinophils may be present in sputum
  • Eosinophil-derived Charcot-Leyden crystals may be present in blood-tinged sputum
  • Stool examinations are generally negative at the time of pulmonary symptoms and thus not useful in the diagnosis of Löffler syndrome.
  • Ascaris, Strongyloides, or hookworm larvae might be detected in the respiratory secretions
Charcot–Leyden crystals and eosinophil granulocytes in allergic sinusitis.By Patho – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24411266
Eosinophils in peripheral blood in a patient with eosinophilia of unknown etiology. By Ed Uthman, MD, Houston, Texas, USA – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10813548


  • Since biopsy is not indicated in patients with the lofeffler syndrome, reported pathological presentations of Loeffler syndrome are based on the autopsy of patients who passed away from another cause while they concomitantly had simple pulmonary eosinophilia.
  • It has been shown that eosinophilic infiltration occurs in the bronchi and bronchioles and in the alveolar and interstitial spaces.
  • Usually no parasitic form has been found in the lungs.[6][7]

References

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Loeffler syndrome may be caused by Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis.

Causes

Life-threatening Causes

  • There are no life-threatening causes of Loeffler syndrome.
  • It is a self-limiting condition which generally resolves by itself in 3-4 weeks.
  • Nevertheless, there are rare life-threatening conditions related to the helminths responsible for Loeffler syndrome, although Loeffler syndrome itself has never killed a patient.

Common Causes

Common causes of Loffler syndrome may include:[1]

Less Common Causes

Less common causes of [disease name] include:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 (1968) Löffler’s syndrome. Br Med J 3 (5618):569-70. PMID: 5667987
  2. ↑ Caulet T (1957) [Loffler syndrome and pulmonary eosinophilia.] Gaz Med Fr 64 (20):1737-8 passim. PMID: 13480465
  3. ↑ Dold C, Holland CV (2011) Ascaris and ascariasis. Microbes Infect 13 (7):632-7. DOI:10.1016/j.micinf.2010.09.012 PMID: 20934531
  4. ↑ Gipson K, Avery R, Shah H, Pepiak D, BĂ©guĂ© RE, Malone J et al. (2016) Löffler syndrome on a Louisiana pig farm. Respir Med Case Rep 19 ():128-131. DOI:10.1016/j.rmcr.2016.09.003 PMID: 27709064
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hoagland KE, Schad GA (1978) Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale: life history parameters and epidemiological implications of two sympatric hookworms of humans. Exp Parasitol 44 (1):36-49. PMID: 627275
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brooker S, Bethony J, Hotez PJ (2004) Human hookworm infection in the 21st century. Adv Parasitol 58 ():197-288. DOI:10.1016/S0065-308X(04)58004-1 PMID: 15603764
  7. ↑ Page W, Judd JA, Bradbury RS (2018) The Unique Life Cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis and Implications for Public Health Action. Trop Med Infect Dis 3 (2):. DOI:10.3390/tropicalmed3020053 PMID: 30274449
  8. ↑ Nutman TB (2017) Human infection with Strongyloides stercoralis and other related Strongyloides species. Parasitology 144 (3):263-273. DOI:10.1017/S0031182016000834 PMID: 27181117

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Differentiating Loefflers syndrome from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Loeffler syndrome must be differentiated from other diseases that cause pulmonary eosinophilia, such as Churg-Strauss, drug and toxin-induced eosinophilic lung diseases, other helminthic and fungal infection related eosinophilic lung diseases, and nonhelminthic infections such as Coccidioidomycosis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Differentiating Loeffler syndrome from other pulmonary eosinophilia syndromes on the basis of etiology.

Diseases Clinical manifestations Para-clinical findings Additional findings
Symptoms Physical examination
Lab Findings Imaging Histopathology
Increased Eosinophil

count

Other lab findings CXR CT Scan
Helminthic

and fungal infection-related

eosinophilic lung diseases

Transpulmonary

passage of larvae (Loffler’s syndrome)

  • Cough
  • Sputum production
  • Wheezing
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Mild to moderate
  • Usually 5-20%
  • Stool exam
  • Parasites and ova can be found in the stool 6-12 weeks after the initial parasitic infection.
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level
  • Might be elevated.
  • Round or oval opacities (several millimeters to several centimeters)
  • In both lungs
  • Generally present when blood eosinophilia exceeds 10%
  • Migratory
  • May become confluent in perihilar areas
  • Generally clear spontaneously
  • Areas of ground-glass opacity (halo) around consolidation
  • Nodules
  • Dilated airways within the lesion
  • Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage
  • May show increased eosinophilic count.
  • Sputum analysis or gastric lavage
  • May occasionally show Larvae of Ascaris or the other parasites with pulmonary cycle.
  • Ascaris lumbricoides
  • Hookworms such as:
  • Ancylostoma duodenale
  • Necator americanus)
  • Strongyloides stercoralis
Tropical

pulmonary

eosinophilia

  • Cough
  • Breathlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Fever.
  • Wheezing
  • Crackles
  • 40 to 70 percent (>3000/microL) plus elevated IgE levels ( >1000 units/mL)
  • Serum IgE levels
  • Antifilarial antibodies
  • Diffuse opacities
  • Around 20% of patients have a normal CXR
  • Reticular and small nodular opacities
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Air trapping
  • Calcification
  • Mediastinal adenopathy
  • Wuchereria bancrofti
  • Brugia malayi
  • The diagnostic criteria for tropical pulmonary eosinophilia include:
    • a history supportive of exposure to lymphatic filariasis;
    • a peripheral eosinophilia count greater than 3 × 109/L);
    • an elevated serum IgE levels (> 1000 kU/L);
    • increased titers of antifilarial antibodies;
    • peripheral blood negative for microfilariae; and
    • a clinical response to diethylcarbamazine.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
  • Repeated episodes of:
  • Bronchial obstruction, inflammation
  • Mucoid impaction
  • Can lead to:
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Fibrosis
  • Respiratory compromise
  • Clinical picture of ABPA is dominated by underlying asthma (or cystic fibrosis)
  • Bronchial obstruction
  • Fever
  • Malaise,
  • Expectoration of brownish mucous plugs
  • Peripheral blood eosinophilia
  • Hemoptysis
  • Wheezing
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
Mild to moderate
  • Immunological tests for Aspergillus
  • Sputum staining and sputum cultures
  • Skin test for Aspergillus sp.
  • Early in the disease
  • Normal
  • Changes of asthma.
  • Transient patchy areas of consolidation may be evident representing eosinophilic pneumonia.
  • Late stage
  • Bronchiectasis may be evident.
  • Mucoid impaction in dilated bronchi can appear mass-like or sausage shaped or branching opacities (finger in glove sign).*
  • Pulmonary collapse may be seen as a consequence of endobronchial mucoid impaction.
  • Fleeting shadows over time can also be a characteristic feature of this disease.
  • These opacities usually appear and disappear in different areas of the lung over a period of time as transient pulmonary infiltrates.
  • HRCT:
  • Widespread proximal cylindrical bronchiectasis with upper lobe predominance and bronchial wall thickening.
  • Central bronchiectasis with normal tapering of distal bronchi (classic manifestation of ABPA, neither sensitive nor specific)
  • Asthmatic bronchiolitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, bronchocentric granulomatosis, and mucoid impaction of bronchi
  • +/- bronchocentric granulomatosis (pulmonary eosinophilia in the absence of endobronchial fungi)
  • Minimal criteria include:
  • The presence of asthma and/or cystic fibrosis,
  • A positive skin test to Aspergillus sp., an IgE > 417 IU/mL (or kU/L)
  • An increased specific IgE or IgG Aspergillus sp. antibodies
  • The presence of infiltrates on a chest X-ray
Heavy

hematogenous

seeding

with

helminths

  • Depends on the organism for example:
  • Periorbital edema, myositis, and eosinophilia (Trichinellosis)
  • Depends on the organism for example:
  • Periorbital edema
  • Tenderness in muscles
  • Fever
  • (Trichinellosis)
Mild to

moderate to

high

  • Trichinellosis: Ab will be positive 2-8 weeks after infection
  • Strongyloides: ELISA is generally positive while stool examination is often negative.
  • Strongyloides:
  • Diffuse ground glass opacities
  • Miliary nodules,
  • Reticular opacities
  • Airspace opacities ranging from multifocal to lobar distribution.
  • Adult respiratory distress syndrome :If widespread air space shadowing is seen on chest radiography
  • Rarely: granulomatous changes leading to pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Transient nodular or diffuse pulmonary infiltrates on the chest x-ray
  • Spontaneous pneumothoraces have been described infrequently.
  • Similar to Loeffler syndrome
  • Ascarids and hookworms
  • Trichinellosis
  • Disseminated strongyloidiasis
  • Cutaneous and visceral larva migrans
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Prior treatment with glucocorticoids may be a risk factor.
Pulmonary parenchymal invasion
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • Eosinophilia is prominent in the early stages of disease but minimal with established disease
  • Ab testing Useful in later infection with Paragonimus
  • Nodular with surrounding areas of ground glass
  • Peripheral
  • Common in the mid- and lower lung zones
  • Nodular with surrounding areas of ground glass
  • Peripheral
  • Common in the mid- and lower lung zones
  • Finding eggs in the sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
  • Helminths such as paragonimiasis
Nonhelminthic infections Coccidioidomycosis
  • Manifests as a community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) approximately 7 to 21 days after exposure
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • Nail clubbing
  • Mild
  • Antibody testing may be negative early in the course of disease
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • Rarely demonstrate nodules or cavities in the lungs, but these images commonly demonstrate lung opacification, pleural effusions, or enlargement of lymph nodes associated with the lungs.
  • Computed tomography scans of the chest are better able to detect these changes than chest x-rays
  • Papanicolaou or Grocott’s methenamine silver staining. These stains can demonstrate spherules and surrounding inflammation.

Types:

  • Acute coccidioidomycosis, sometimes described in literature as primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
  • Chronic coccidioidomycosis
  • Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, which includes primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Cough
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweating
  • Sputum production
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Mild
  • Quantiferon gold
  • Positive PPD
  • Elevated ESR
  • In active pulmonary TB, infiltrates or consolidations and/or cavities are often seen in the upper lungs with or without mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy.
  • Old healed tuberculosis usually presents as pulmonary nodules in the hilar area or upper lobes, with or without fibrotic scars and volume loss.
  • Bronchiectasis and pleural scarring may be present.
  • Ziehl-Neelsen stain, or fluorescent stains such as auramine
  • Caseating granulomas containing Langhans giant cells, which have a “horseshoe” pattern of nuclei.
  • Culture in Lowenstein-Jensen, and solid agar-based such as Middlebrook 7H11 or 7H10
  • Tuberculosis can involve almost every organ in human body such as skin, renal, glands, eyes, neurons, etc.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)
  • Sinusitis
  • Asthma,
  • Skin, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurologic systems may also be involved.
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • 1500 cells/microL
  • > 10 percent of the total leukocyte count
  • Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
  • Myeloperoxidase (MPO) perinuclear staining pattern
  • Transient and patchy opacities without lobar or segmental distribution
  • lung biopsy:
  • Eosinophilic infiltrates
  • eosinophilic vasculitis (especially of the small arteries and veins)
  • Interstitial and perivascular necrotizing granulomas
  • Areas of necrosis
  • Skin, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurologic systems may also be involved.
Drug- and toxin-induced eosinophilic lung diseases
  • Asymptomatic pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils
  • Chronic cough with or without dyspnea, fever, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, and
  • DRESS:
  • Skin eruption
  • Fever, Facial edema
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • History of initiation of a culprit medication two to six weeks prior to disease onset
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • Mild to moderate
  • Eosinophil fraction >25% in the BAL fluid
  • Bilateral peripheral infiltrates with segmental consolidation
  • Diffuse reticular or interstitial findings
  • Diffuse ground-glass infiltrates
  • Wandering peripheral consolidations
  • Pleural effusion
  • Eosinophil fraction >25% in the BAL fluid
  • Medications such as:
  • Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
  • Phenytoin
  • L-tryptophan
  • Antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, minocycline, sulfonamides, ampicillin, daptomycin)
  • Toxins such as:
  • Aluminum silicate and particulate metals ‱Sulfite ‱Scorpion stings ‱Inhalation of o heroin, crack cocaine, or marijuana ‱Inhalation of organic chemicals, dust or smoke, during rubber manufacture, fireworks, firefighting, tobacco smoking ‱Abuse of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (Scotchgard)
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia
  • Predominantly in women and nonsmokers
  • Following radiation therapy for breast cancer
  • Cough, fever, progressive breathlessness, weight loss, wheezing, and night sweats; asthma accompanies or precedes the illness in 50 percent of cases
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • ≄40 percent
  • Eosinophilia may be absent in 10-20% of patients
  • Bilateral peripheral or pleural-based infiltrates described as the “photographic negative” of pulmonary edema is virtually pathognomonic for the disease (in 33% of cases)
  • Pleural effusion
  • Cavitation
  • BAL eosinophilia ≄25 percent is suggestive of CEP.
  • Nodular bronchial mucosal lesions
  • Necrotizing eosinophilic inflammation
  • Lung biopsy:
  • Interstitial and alveolar eosinophils and histiocytes, including multinucleated giant cells
  • Fibrosis (minimal)
  • Organizing pneumonia (common)
Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia
  • Acute respiratory failure in a previously healthy patient
  • Acute febrile illness of less than seven days’ duration, characterized by:
  • Nonproductive cough
  • Dyspnea,
  • Fever
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • ≄25 percent
  • Non specific but might reveal
  • Diffuse pulmonary opacities on imaging
  • Bronchoalveolar lavage that reveals ≄25 percent eosinophils
  • When the diagnosis is uncertain lung biopsy is recommended:
  • Histopathologic findings include:
  • Diffuse alveolar damage
  • Hyaline membranes
  • Marked numbers of interstitial and lesser numbers of alveolar eosinophils
  • Often associated with recent initiation or resumption of cigarette smoking
  • Less commonly with heavy inhalational exposure to smoke, fine sand, or dust
Diseases Symptom Physical exam Increased Eosinophil count

(High)

Other lab findings CXR CT Scan Histopathology Additional findings
Sarcoidosis
  • Mild to moderate
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme
  • Chitotriosidase
  • Soluble interleukin-2 receptor
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Kveim test
  • Honeycombing
Like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis can involve almost every organ in human body such as skin, renal, glands, eyes, neurons, etc.
Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Histiocytosis X)
  • Crackles
  • Wheezing
  • Mild to moderate
  • CD1a +ve
  • S100 +ve
  • CD207 (langerin) +ve
  • Low urine specific gravity (1.008)
  • Low specific gravity persisted during a water deprivation test
  • Urine osmolality and urine specific gravity normalize following desmopressin administration
  • Mild hyperinflation
  • Coarse reticular interstitial markings
  • Peripheral ring shadows suggesting cysts formation
  • Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
  • Findings on head CT scan suggestive of Langerhans cell histiocytosis include:
  • Multiple osteolytic lesions
  • Full thickness bone destruction
  • “Button sequestrum” sign
  • Electron microscopy Langerhans cell histiocytosis is characterized by Birbeck granules, which are electron dense, cytoplasmic, tennis racket-like bodies.
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • CD1a +ve
  • S100 +ve
  • CD207 (langerin) +ve
  • On Tc 99m MDP whole body bone scintigraphy, Langerhans cell histiocytosis is characterized by an increased uptake of Tc 99m at hitiocytic lesion located around the ribs, spine, and pelvis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • Crackles
  • <10 percent

Abnormal arterial blood gas (ABG)

Pulmonary function test

  • Peripheral reticular opacities, more common on the base of lungs
  • Honeycomb appearance of the lower lobes
  • Measurement of static lung volumes using body plethysmography or other techniques typically reveals reduced lung volumes (restriction). This reflects the difficulty encountered in inflating the fibrotic lungs.
  • The diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) is invariably reduced in IPF and may be the only abnormality in mild or early disease. Its impairment underlies the propensity of patients with IPF to exhibit oxygen desaturation with exercise.

References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Löffler syndrome is due to intestinal helminth infections with a pulmonary cycle which is distributed worldwide; nonetheless, parasitic infections such as Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis are more prevalent in tropical areas particularly in communities with low socioeconomic status and poor sanitary conditions. In the United States, 20-67% of children in rural southern communities have been reported to suffer from ascariasis; Nevertheless, there are no specific statistics for the occurrence of Löffler syndrome. Globalization increased immigration, and travel warrants alertness of US physicians and the other health care works of developed countries, because an encounter with imported tropical diseases and thus the resulted Löffler syndrome could be more likely nowadays. The case-fatality rate/mortality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero. There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome. Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity. Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.

Epidemiology and Demographics

The epidemiological aspect of Löffler’s syndrome isn’t well known since there have been minimal statistics reported on the topic.[1][2][3]

Incidence

  • The incidence of Löffler syndrome is not well studied, neither worldwide nor in the US.

Prevalence

  • The prevalence of Löffler syndrome is not well studied, neither worldwide nor in the US.
  • In the United States, 20-67% of children in rural southern communities have been reported to suffer from ascariasis; Nevertheless, there are no specific statistics for the occurrence of Löffler syndrome.

Case-fatality rate/Mortality rate

  • The case-fatality rate/mortality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero.
  • There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome.
  • Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity.
  • Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.[4]

Age

  • Patients of all age groups may develop Löffler syndrome.
  • Nevertheless, Löffler syndrome more commonly affects young children.
  • A higher incidence of intestinal helminthiases and hence, Löffler syndrome has been reported in young children because they are more exposed to contaminated soil and because young children exhibit hand-to-mouth behavior more often than adults

Race

  • Löffler syndrome usually affects Indians, nevertheless, it has not been well studied whether it is because of the tropical climate, poor sanitary condition or there is a genetic tendency which is very unlikely.[5]

Gender

  • Löffler syndrome affects men and women equally.

Region

  • The majority of Löffler syndrome cases are reported in tropical areas with poor sanitation. Particularly India.[6]

Developed Countries

  • In the United States, 20-67% of children in rural southern communities have been reported to suffer from ascariasis;[7][8]
  • Nevertheless, there are no specific statistics for the occurrence of Löffler syndrome.
  • Globalization increased immigration, and travel warrants alertness of US physicians and the other health care works of developed countries, because an encounter with imported tropical diseases and thus the resulted Löffler syndrome could be more likely nowadays.

Developing Countries

References

  1. ↑ Joob B, Wiwanitkit V (2012) Loeffler’s syndrome, pulmonary ascariasis, in Thailand, rare or under-reported? J Thorac Dis 4 (3):339. DOI:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2012.05.03 PMID: 22754678
  2. ↑ NEMIR RL, HEYMAN A, GORVOY JD, ERVIN EN (1950) Pulmonary infiltration and blood eosinophilia in children (Loeffler’s syndrome); a review with report of 8 cases. J Pediatr 37 (6):819-43. PMID: 14795349
  3. ↑ TOCKER AM (1949) Transitory pulmonary infiltrations (Loeffler’s syndrome) with case report. J Allergy 20 (3):211-21. PMID: 18132076
  4. ↑ Akuthota P, Weller PF (2012) Eosinophilic pneumonias. Clin Microbiol Rev 25 (4):649-60. DOI:10.1128/CMR.00025-12 PMID: 23034324
  5. ↑ Cheepsattayakorn A, Cheepsattayakorn R (2014) Parasitic pneumonia and lung involvement. Biomed Res Int 2014 ():874021. DOI:10.1155/2014/874021 PMID: 24995332
  6. ↑ Podder I, Chandra S, Gharami RC (2016) Loeffler’s Syndrome Following Cutaneous Larva Migrans: An Uncommon Sequel. Indian J Dermatol 61 (2):190-2. DOI:10.4103/0019-5154.177753 PMID: 27057020
  7. ↑ Starr MC, Montgomery SP (2011) Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis in the United States: a systematic review–1940-2010. Am J Trop Med Hyg 85 (4):680-4. DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.2011.11-0214 PMID: 21976572
  8. ↑ Shah J, Shahidullah A (2018) Ascaris lumbricoides: A Startling Discovery during Screening Colonoscopy. Case Rep Gastroenterol 12 (2):224-229. DOI:10.1159/000489486 PMID: 29928187
  9. ↑ (1984) Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Ascaris lumbricoides in Okpo village, rural Burma. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 78 (4):497-504. DOI:10.1016/0035-9203(84)90071-3 PMID: 6237473
  10. ↑ Gildner TE, Cepon-Robins TJ, Liebert MA, Urlacher SS, Madimenos FC, Snodgrass JJ et al. (2016) Regional variation in Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections by age cohort and sex: effects of market integration among the indigenous Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador. J Physiol Anthropol 35 (1):28. DOI:10.1186/s40101-016-0118-2 PMID: 27884213
  11. ↑ Galgamuwa LS, Iddawela D, Dharmaratne SD (2018) Prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides infections in relation to undernutrition among children in a tea plantation community, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatr 18 (1):13. DOI:10.1186/s12887-018-0984-3 PMID: 29370780
  12. ↑ StĂŒrchler D, Imbach P, Gartmann J, DegrĂ©mont A (1978) [Clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.] Schweiz Med Wochenschr 108 (38):1461-4. PMID: 705299

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Risk Factors


Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

There are no established risk factors for Loffler syndrome. Nevertheless, it has been shown that Indians, children, people live in tropical areas are at increased risk for developing the loffler syndrome. Common risk factors in the development of helminthic disorders such as ascariasis are often associated with poor sanitary conditions and environmental fecal contamination. Poor socioeconomic conditions, use of human feces as fertilizer, lack of hand washing, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, environmental contamination with feces are among known conditions which were correlated to ascariasis. Common risk factors in the development of strongyloidiasis include: Occupations that increase contact with contaminated soil such as farming and coal mining, barefoot walking (cultural or low socioeconomic status), Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection, Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and other medications, Immune reconstitution syndrome, Hematologic malignancies (lymphoma), Tuberculosis, Malnutrition, Diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD), chronic renal failure, Living in endemic regions, Alcoholics, Travelers, and immigrants.


Risk Factors

There are no established risk factors for Loffler syndrome itself. Nevertheless, it has been shown that Indians, children, people live in tropical areas are at increased risk for developing loffler syndrome.Common risk factors in the development of helminthic disorders such as ascariasis are often associated with poor sanitary conditions and environmental fecal contamination.

Common Risk Factors

The risk factors for ascariasis are often associated with poor sanitary conditions and environmental fecal contamination. Risk factors for ascariasis include:[1][2][3]

  • Poor socioeconomic conditions
  • Use of human feces as fertilizer
  • Lack of hand washing
  • Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • Environmental contamination with feces

Common risk factors in the development of strongyloidiasis include:[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ Kliegman, Robert; Stanton, Bonita; St. Geme, Joseph; Schor, Nina (2016). “Chapter 291:Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides)”. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics Twentieth Edition. Elsevier. pp. 1733–1734. ISBN 978-1-4557-7566-8.
  2. ↑ Al-Mekhlafi AM, Abdul-Ghani R, Al-Eryani SM, Saif-Ali R, Mahdy MA (2016). “School-based prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors in rural communities of Sana’a, Yemen”. Acta Trop. 163: 135–41. doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.08.009. PMID 27515811.
  3. ↑ Nwalorzie C, Onyenakazi SC, Ogwu SO, Okafor AN (2015). “PREDICTORS OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHIC INFECTIONS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN GWAGWALADA, ABUJA, NIGERIA”. Niger J Med. 24 (3): 233–41. PMID 27487594.
  4. ↑ Evering T, Weiss LM (2006). “The immunology of parasite infections in immunocompromised hosts”. Parasite Immunol. 28 (11): 549–65. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00886.x. PMC 3109637. PMID 17042927.
  5. ↑ Ostera G, Blum J (2016). “Strongyloidiasis: Risk and Healthcare Access for Latin American Immigrants Living in the United States”. Curr Trop Med Rep. 3: 1–3. doi:10.1007/s40475-016-0065-3. PMC 4757600. PMID 26925367.

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Löffler syndrome generally presents as a mild syndrome which spontaneously resolves after 2-4 weeks. The symptoms of Löffler syndrome usually develop 10-16 days after ingestion of Ascaris eggs, or N americanus, A duodenale, S stercoralis infection, and start with common symptoms such as fever, malaise, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. Cough is the most common symptom, which is generally dry and nonproductive but might be productive or even present with small amounts of blood-tinged mucoid sputum. A less common presentation is accompanied by myalgia, anorexia, and urticaria. In order to identify risk factors for exposure to parasites, immigration status, socioeconomic status, hygiene, sanitation, as well as travel history should be carefully elicited. Prognosis is generally excellent, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with Loffler syndrome is approximately 100%. The case-fatality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero. There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome. Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity. Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

  • Löffler syndrome generally presents as a mild syndrome which spontaneously resolves after 2-4 weeks.[1]
  • The symptoms of Löffler syndrome usually develop 10-16 days after ingestion of Ascaris eggs, or N americanus, A duodenale, S stercoralis infection, and start with common symptoms such as fever, malaise, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea.
  • Cough is the most common symptom, which is generally dry and nonproductive but might be productive or even present with small amounts of blood-tinged mucoid sputum.[2]
  • Less common presentation is accompanied by myalgia, anorexia, and urticaria.[3]
  • In order to identify risk factors for exposure to parasites, immigration status, socioeconomic status, hygiene, sanitation, as well as travel history should be carefully elicited.

Complications

  • Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity.

Prognosis

  • Prognosis is generally excellent, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with Loffler syndrome is approximately 100%. [4]
  • The case-fatality rate of Löffler syndrome is literally zero.
  • There has been no report of deaths due to Löffler syndrome.
  • Löffler syndrome is a self-limiting, benign condition without significant morbidity.[5]
  • Symptoms usually subside within 3-4 weeks.

References

  1. ↑ Ekin S, Sertogullarindan B, Gunbatar H, Arisoy A, Yildiz H (2016) Loeffler’s syndrome: an interesting case report. Clin Respir J 10 (1):112-4. DOI:10.1111/crj.12173 PMID: 24931460
  2. ↑ (1968) Löffler’s syndrome. Br Med J 3 (5618):569-70. PMID: 5667987
  3. ↑ Te Booij M, de Jong E, Bovenschen HJ (2010) Löffler syndrome caused by extensive cutaneous larva migrans: a case report and review of the literature. Dermatol Online J 16 (10):2. PMID: 21062596
  4. ↑ Chitkara RK, Krishna G (2006) Parasitic pulmonary eosinophilia. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 27 (2):171-84. DOI:10.1055/s-2006-939520 PMID: 16612768
  5. ↑ HEIKEN CA, WIESE ER (1951) Löffler’s syndrome; transient pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia. Am Rev Tuberc 63 (4):480-6. PMID: 14819567

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | Chest X Ray | CT | Echocardiography or Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

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Case Studies

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