Vnitr Lek 2009, 55(Suppl 1):125-144

Differential diagnosis of eosinophilia

Z. Adam^*, M. Tomíška, M. Krejčí, L. Pour

Interní hematoonkologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jiří Vorlíček, CSc.

Elevated eosinophil count might be a sign of many different pathologies. Most frequently, this is a result of allergic conditions. Elevated eosinophil count associated with a parasitic infection is considered as physiological. Eosinophilia may be linked to certain organ and connective tissue disorders. The primary increase in eosinophil count may be caused by pathologic (benign or malignant) cloning of T-lymphocytes that, through their cytokines, stimulate proliferation and differentiation of eosinophilic lineage. Nonetheless, the primary malfunction could also be directly in the myeloid cell line. Some of the myeloid cell mutations associated with uncontrolled eosinophilic myeloproliferation have been described, others are awaiting identification. The aim of this paper is to describe all states that result in elevated peripheral blood eosinophil count and provide directions for differential diagnosis.

Keywords: eosinophilia; hypereosinophilic syndrome; eosinophilic leukaemia

Received: February 25, 2009; Published: February 1, 2009  Show citation