Abstract
Severe hypereosinophilia (HE) in children is rare, and its etiological diagnosis is challenging. We describe a case of a 30-month-old boy, living in a rural area, who was admitted to our Clinic with a 7-day history of fever and severe hypereosinophilia. A comprehensive diagnostic workup could not identify the cause of this condition. On day 6, the rapidly increasing eosinophil count (maximum value of 56,000/mm3), the risk of developing hypereosinophilic syndrome, and the patient's history prompted us to undertake an empiric treatment with albendazole. The eosinophil count progressively decreased following treatment. On day 13, clinical condition and hematological data were satisfactory, therefore the treatment was discontinued, and the patient was discharged. Three months later, anti-nematode IgG antibodies were detected in patient serum, thus establishing the etiological diagnosis. In conclusion, an empiric anthelmintic treatment seems to be justified when parasitic hypereosinophilia is strongly suspected, and other causes have been excluded.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e2018034 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Parasitic Hypereosinophilia in Childhood : a Diagnostic Challenge. / Antonucci, Roberto; Vacca, Nadia; Boz, Giulia; Locci, Cristian; Mannazzu, Rosanna; Cherchi, Claudio; Lai, Giacomo; Fozza, Claudio.
In: Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2018, p. e2018034.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Parasitic Hypereosinophilia in Childhood
T2 - a Diagnostic Challenge
AU - Antonucci, Roberto
AU - Vacca, Nadia
AU - Boz, Giulia
AU - Locci, Cristian
AU - Mannazzu, Rosanna
AU - Cherchi, Claudio
AU - Lai, Giacomo
AU - Fozza, Claudio
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Severe hypereosinophilia (HE) in children is rare, and its etiological diagnosis is challenging. We describe a case of a 30-month-old boy, living in a rural area, who was admitted to our Clinic with a 7-day history of fever and severe hypereosinophilia. A comprehensive diagnostic workup could not identify the cause of this condition. On day 6, the rapidly increasing eosinophil count (maximum value of 56,000/mm3), the risk of developing hypereosinophilic syndrome, and the patient's history prompted us to undertake an empiric treatment with albendazole. The eosinophil count progressively decreased following treatment. On day 13, clinical condition and hematological data were satisfactory, therefore the treatment was discontinued, and the patient was discharged. Three months later, anti-nematode IgG antibodies were detected in patient serum, thus establishing the etiological diagnosis. In conclusion, an empiric anthelmintic treatment seems to be justified when parasitic hypereosinophilia is strongly suspected, and other causes have been excluded.
AB - Severe hypereosinophilia (HE) in children is rare, and its etiological diagnosis is challenging. We describe a case of a 30-month-old boy, living in a rural area, who was admitted to our Clinic with a 7-day history of fever and severe hypereosinophilia. A comprehensive diagnostic workup could not identify the cause of this condition. On day 6, the rapidly increasing eosinophil count (maximum value of 56,000/mm3), the risk of developing hypereosinophilic syndrome, and the patient's history prompted us to undertake an empiric treatment with albendazole. The eosinophil count progressively decreased following treatment. On day 13, clinical condition and hematological data were satisfactory, therefore the treatment was discontinued, and the patient was discharged. Three months later, anti-nematode IgG antibodies were detected in patient serum, thus establishing the etiological diagnosis. In conclusion, an empiric anthelmintic treatment seems to be justified when parasitic hypereosinophilia is strongly suspected, and other causes have been excluded.
U2 - 10.4084/MJHID.2018.034
DO - 10.4084/MJHID.2018.034
M3 - Article
C2 - 29755711
VL - 10
SP - e2018034
JO - Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
JF - Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
SN - 2035-3006
IS - 1
ER -