Why is it so important to undergo an annual fluorography and periodically take blood tests? These studies allow early detection of some lung diseases, because most of them are asymptomatic. These include Loeffler's syndrome. Symptoms and treatment of the pathological process, as well as the main causes will be discussed in today's article.
Description of the disease
Under Loeffler's syndrome, doctors perceive pulmonary allergies. When reacting to a certain stimulus, seals - infiltrates - form in the organs of the respiratory system. They are filled with a separate type of blood cell, which is also a type of white blood cell and is called eosinophils.
High levels of these substances in the blood test usually indicates an allergic / infectious processes in the body, infestation with parasites or a tumor. Infiltrates are characterized by the ability to migrate through the affected organ. They may disappear on their own and not even leave scars behind.
Eosinophilic lesion of the pulmonary system was first described inthe beginning of the 20th century. Since then, scientists have not been able to define Loeffler's syndrome in a specific medical framework. Even numerous studies could not give an answer regarding the exact causes and prerequisites for its occurrence. This is a real medical mystery. There is no specific information on age and social thresholds. Some studies say that the syndrome affects only children, and residents of countries with a tropical climate are at risk. However, this pathology successfully migrates throughout the planet. Among the sick there are both young people and the elderly.
Causes of infection
Despite the difficulties in identifying the etiology of the pathological process, doctors managed to identify a group of provocative factors. It is noteworthy that the symptoms that characterize Loeffler's syndrome can occur after contact with animals and even during the treatment of other diseases.
Among the main sources of infection, doctors identify:
- Air allergens. The development of the syndrome is often observed as a response of the body to plant pollen or mold fungi. Chemical reagents are of particular danger.
- Medications. The use of certain groups of drugs is an unlikely but acceptable cause of pulmonary eosinophilia. According to the conducted studies, it was possible to identify the corresponding reaction to antibiotics, the active ingredients of which are penicillin and nitrofuran.
- Bacteria (some types of staphylococci, streptococci and brucella). Pathogenic flora is transmitted from the patienta person to a he althy person through a handshake, personal hygiene items and food. After that, it enters the body through open wounds. Airborne transmission of bacteria is not excluded.
- Worms. Parasites enter the respiratory system 2-3 weeks after infection. These can be roundworms, intestinal acne, toxocara, trichinella or hookworms. The resettlement occurs both from sick people and after contact with animals.
Leffler Syndrome ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) defines under the code J82.
High risk group
Medical statistics of incidence allows us to identify a group of factors that make a person vulnerable to the syndrome. It's about specific habits and overall he alth.
Who is at risk?
- Tobacco lovers. Passive smokers also belong to this group. Addiction weakens the protective functions of the lungs.
- Asthmatics. Approximately 50% of patients with documented pulmonary eosinophilia have a history of asthma.
- Infected with HIV. The main reason for the development of the pathological process is weakened immunity.
- Cancer patients.
- Travelers. To a greater extent, this applies to tourists exploring the countries of Asia and Africa.
Belonging to one or more categories from the list above significantly increases the likelihood of developing pulmonary eosinophilia.
Clinical picture
Whathas Loeffler's syndrome symptoms? Among the main manifestations of the pathological process, doctors distinguish: fever, general malaise and weakness. Some patients suffer from a mild cough and yellowish sputum due to the presence of dead eosinophils.
In the picture after X-ray examination, you can see single or multiple foci of accumulation of infiltrates. However, their size and localization vary. If the infected person has a strong immune system, the infiltrates usually resolve on their own within 2-3 weeks.
During auscultatory diagnosis, one more symptom can be detected - dry rales. As a rule, they are found in the upper segments of the lungs. A biochemical blood test shows the presence of leukocytosis against the background of a large number of eosinophils (60-80%).
Course of the pathological process
This disease can occur in one of three forms. Let's consider each of the options in more detail.
- A simple shape. It is characterized by a dim clinical picture. During a cough, sputum with blood impurities is possible, and discomfort appears in the trachea area. If the infection is caused by the penetration of helminths into the body, and their eggs are in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatitis develops.
- Sharp shape. Loeffler's syndrome begins with a sudden rise in temperature and is characterized by a severe course. The patient has symptoms of intoxication. In a short period of time, respiratory failure develops. Treatment is always carried out in a hospital setting.
- Chronic form. Most often detected in women suffering from bronchial asthma. Among the main symptoms, doctors identify heavy sweating, weight loss and shortness of breath.
Determination of the form of the pathological process helps to choose the right therapy.
Diagnostic Methods
The clinical picture described above is not sufficient evidence to confirm Loeffler's syndrome. Symptoms in children of this pathology and in adults practically do not differ, therefore, a general comprehensive examination is prescribed for all categories of patients. It consists of the following activities:
- X-ray. In the picture with pulmonary eosinophilia, dark spots can be clearly seen. These are infiltrates.
- Blood test. Normally, in the blood of a he althy person, the number of eosinophils should not exceed 5-10%. An increase in this indicator to 20-80% makes it possible to suspect Loeffler's syndrome. The number of eosinophils in children in a he althy body does not differ from this parameter in adults.
- Sputum analysis. The secret is checked for the presence of crystalline formations from eosinophil enzymes.
- Fecal analysis. Conducted to detect parasites in the body.
- Allergy testing.
An important component of the diagnosis is the study of the patient's history. This is an integral part of the process of establishing the causes and circumstances of infection. Without these components, it is impossible to prescribe competent treatment.
Recommended Therapy
Quite often, Leffler's syndrome does not need special treatment. Symptoms in adults and children disappear on their own in a short time and never appear again. The only scientific explanation for this fact is the lack of contact with the allergen.
In other cases, therapy is reduced to the exclusion of factors provoking its development. For example, when infected with parasites, helminths are removed from the body. If the reason is in the medications taken, analog drugs are selected.
Sometimes Loeffler's syndrome cannot be overcome even after intensive care. In this case, you may need to be connected to a ventilator and more stressful medication. Among the drugs that are prescribed in the fight against pulmonary eosinophilia, one can distinguish:
- Steroid hormones. The greatest efficiency is characterized by "Prednisolone". Its long-term use contributes to the accelerated "resorption" of infiltrates. If positive dynamics is not observed, it is advisable to re-diagnose. Most likely, the patient has a different type of inflammation.
- Anti-asthmatic drugs (Aminophylline).
- Expectorant pills. To improve the process of sputum discharge, patients are prescribed mucolytics ("Lazolvan", "Ambroxol"). If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the listed drugs are recommended to be taken in the form of inhalations.
Medication can only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is not recommended, since it is difficult for an ordinary person to calculate the dosage of drugs and the duration of their intake. Otherwiserarely avoid serious complications.
Anti-parasitic treatment
Leffler's syndrome with ascariasis is a fairly common occurrence. Therefore, it is advisable to separately consider what medications are used to combat this problem. If you believe the doctors, they have proven themselves:
- "Pirantel". It fights against nematodes, achieving neuromuscular blockade in parasites sensitive to it. As a result, they are successfully removed from the digestive tract.
- "Karbendasim". The active substances penetrate the shell of the helminth, paralyzing it. As a result, the parasite loses the ability to fix itself in the intestinal lumen.
- Mebendazole. This drug is effective against most helminths known to medicine.
In a severe form of helminthic invasion, when the listed medicines do not cope with their primary task, the patient is hospitalized. Otherwise, complete dehydration may occur.
Consequences for the body
Leffler's syndrome responds well to treatment. Therapy should not be abandoned for another month after the disappearance of symptoms. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will continue to progress, and allergies will provoke pulmonary edema. Also, fibrosis should not be ruled out - this is another complication of the syndrome. It is accompanied by irreversible scarring of the lung tissue. The disease can affect the work of the cardiac system, the digestive organs. On the backgrounddeveloping oxygen deficiency, a violation of the functions of the brain is possible.
Relapse Rate
Separately, it is necessary to talk about cases of relapse. Most often, they have to deal with due to incorrect or untimely diagnosis, poor treatment. After a course of therapy, the patient may look quite he althy on the outside. However, ordinary stress or another contact with an allergen provokes another relapse.
Prevention Methods
Can Loeffler's disease be prevented? That this is a really dangerous disease, now there is no doubt. Therefore, many people at risk are interested in prevention.
The main preventive measure is a regular visit to the allergist's office. If the pathology differs precisely in this etiology, it is necessary to strictly follow the advice of a specialist and take the recommended medications. You should definitely buy a standard set of medicines at home, with which you can stop another allergy attack.
