Epidemiology, assessment, and medication of eosinophils

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An eosinophil has a segmented nucleus and a diameter of 12 to 17 m. It has many proteolytic enzyme-containing cytoplasmic granules. The granules are made up of four main proteins: eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN), major basic protein (MBP1), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil peroxidase (EOP). They use Romanowsky stains to colour the orange-red.

Comprehensive history taking and careful physical examination are vitally critical, and sometimes enough, for diagnosis due to the disease's varied symptoms and severity ranging from mild to end-organ destruction. Common organ systems affected include those of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin. Numerous disorders, such as myeloproliferative and lymphoid neoplasms, Churg Strauss syndrome, and DRESS syndrome, can cause constitutional symptoms such low-grade fevers, night sweats, lethargy, and weight loss.

Skin rashes and pruritus are common in eczema and cutaneous T cell lymphoma. A number of illnesses, such as bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, Loeffler's syndrome, hay fever, asthma, reactive pulmonary eosinophilia, and Churg-Strauss syndrome, can cause dyspnea, coughing, and wheezing. Identification of diseases, parasitic infestations, and pharmacological adverse responses is aided by a thorough travel history, work environment, drug history, and history of close encounters with HIV and syphilis. A thorough physical examination should include a skin evaluation, lung auscultation to listen for rhonchi or wheezes, and an abdominal exam to check for splenomegaly.

Eosinophilia secondary causes should be ruled out first. Checking for the FIP1L1-PDGFRA gene fusion in peripheral blood should be the first step in the evaluation for primary eosinophilia. The first step in diagnostic testing should be a peripheral smear. Peripheral blood can be used for FISH analysis and cytogenetic testing.

Cytopenias or cytophilias that are concurrent, if they exist, can aid in diagnosis. A bone marrow biopsy, karyotype, and genetic chromosomal screening may be necessary in that situation.

Acute/chronic myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, MDS/MPN overlap, B12 level, tryptase level, cytogenetic/immunophenotypic tests, and marrow abnormalities all aid in the diagnosis of chronic mastocytosis. The diagnosis of cutaneous illnesses such pemphigoid, eczema, mycosis fungoides, and Sezary syndrome is aided by skin biopsies when skin rashes are present. Chest imaging aids in the identification of aspergillosis, Loeffler syndrome, and Churg Strauss syndrome. Assessing for splenomegaly using an abdominal ultrasound is helpful. Examining one's stool can help detect parasite infestations.

The underlying cause affects treatment management. The treatment's aim is to reduce the harm that eosinophilia causes to end organs. An approach that is cautious can be used in minor cases that don't have any symptoms or indications of organ involvement. Treatment with IV steroids is crucial in emergency situations involving hemodynamic instability or organ failure.

Treatment for some illnesses, such as infections or allergies to certain foods and drugs, can be as straightforward as stopping the offending substance or administering antibiotics. A multidisciplinary strategy combining haematologists, pulmonologists, and infectious diseases may be required in some situations, however, because to the varied clinical presentations and multi-systemic involvement. Hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha have shown effective in treating steroid-resistant patients of chronic eosinophilic leukaemia and hypereosinophilic syndrome.