Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2006; 27(2): 134-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-939516
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Idiopathic Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia

Eric Marchand1 , Jean-François Cordier2 , 3
  • 1Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Service de Pneumologie, Yvoir, Belgium
  • 2Service de Pneumologie et Centre de référence des maladies orphelines pulmonaires, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
  • 3Hôpital Louis Pradel, Lyon, France
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 April 2006 (online)

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare disorder of unknown cause with nonspecific respiratory and systemic symptoms but rather characteristic peripheral alveolar infiltrates on imaging. The disorder is highly responsive to oral corticosteroid therapy. However, relapses are frequent when tapering or after stopping treatment. Moreover, some patients develop severe asthma at some time in the follow-up. The high incidence of relapses and prevalence of severe asthma is responsible for the great proportion of patients with idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia who require prolonged oral corticosteroid therapy. There are tight links between asthma and idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. These links might help in the comprehension of the pathogenesis of both diseases. Interestingly, there might exist a continuum between hypereosinophilic asthma, idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, and the Churg-Strauss syndrome.

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Jean-François CordierM.D. 

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Claude Bernard University, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Center for Orphan Lung Diseases

Louis Pradel University Hospital, 69677 Lyon (Bron), France

Email: jean-francois.cordier@chu-lyon.fr

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