Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge
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 work-up could not i...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
PAGEPress Publications
2018-05-01
|
Series: | Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/3340 |
id |
doaj-dae5d4a65e4049e38124779d8052e1db |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-dae5d4a65e4049e38124779d8052e1db2020-11-24T21:58:29ZengPAGEPress PublicationsMediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases2035-30062018-05-01101e2018034e201803410.4084/mjhid.2018.0341756Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challengeRoberto Antonucci0Nadia Vacca1Giulia Boz2Cristian Locci3Rosanna Mannazzu4Claudio Cherchi5Giacomo Lai6Claudio Fozza7Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyRespiratory Unit, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalyHematology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalySevere 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 work-up 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.https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/3340hypereosinofilia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, children, diagnosis, albendazole, parasitosis, elminthiasis, nematode. |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Roberto Antonucci Nadia Vacca Giulia Boz Cristian Locci Rosanna Mannazzu Claudio Cherchi Giacomo Lai Claudio Fozza |
spellingShingle |
Roberto Antonucci Nadia Vacca Giulia Boz Cristian Locci Rosanna Mannazzu Claudio Cherchi Giacomo Lai Claudio Fozza Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases hypereosinofilia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, children, diagnosis, albendazole, parasitosis, elminthiasis, nematode. |
author_facet |
Roberto Antonucci Nadia Vacca Giulia Boz Cristian Locci Rosanna Mannazzu Claudio Cherchi Giacomo Lai Claudio Fozza |
author_sort |
Roberto Antonucci |
title |
Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
title_short |
Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
title_full |
Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
title_fullStr |
Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
title_full_unstemmed |
Parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
title_sort |
parasitic hypereosinophilia in childhood: a diagnostic challenge |
publisher |
PAGEPress Publications |
series |
Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases |
issn |
2035-3006 |
publishDate |
2018-05-01 |
description |
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 work-up 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. |
topic |
hypereosinofilia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, children, diagnosis, albendazole, parasitosis, elminthiasis, nematode. |
url |
https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/3340 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT robertoantonucci parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT nadiavacca parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT giuliaboz parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT cristianlocci parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT rosannamannazzu parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT claudiocherchi parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT giacomolai parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge AT claudiofozza parasitichypereosinophiliainchildhoodadiagnosticchallenge |
_version_ |
1725851718888980480 |