Pediatric Hypereosinophilic Syndrome 

  • Author: Bruce M Rothschild, MD; Chief Editor: Harumi Jyonouchi, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 27, 2010
 

Background

Hypereosinophilic syndrome varies from an asymptomatic phenomenon to a life-threatening multisystem disease. It is characterized by an eosinophil count of more than 1500/μ L (usually many more) for more than 6 months and multiorgan involvement in the absence of other causes of eosinophilia and in the absence of eosinophil blast cells in the marrow or blood.[1] Three subtypes are recognized: myeloproliferative, lymphocytic, and idiopathic.[2] Hypereosinophilic syndrome is very rare in children.

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Pathophysiology

Extrinsic hypereosinophilia appears to be caused by eosinophilopoietin cytokines, including interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and granulocyte/monocyte cell–stimulating factor (GM-CSF); large numbers of circulating eosinophils result.

Toxicity is related to fibrosis, especially endomyocardial fibrosis, which is caused by eosinophil granules,[3] including cationic granule proteins (eg, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, eosinophil peroxidase, major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein, transforming growth factor alpha and beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha , interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), macrophage inflammatory protein, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF.

Urokinase-induced plasminogen activation and factor XII-dependent reactions predispose the patient to thrombotic reactions.

In platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA)-associated hypereosinophilic syndrome, eosinophilia is associated with formation of the FLIP1L1/PDFGRA gene, with resultant increased tyrosine kinase activity.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

Worldwide, hypereosinophilia is rare, especially in children.

Mortality/Morbidity

Death generally results from primary heart damage or secondary endocarditis. Survival is prolonged if the sequelae of organ damage, especially cardiac organ damage, can be controlled. Mean survival is 9 months; the 3-year survival rate is reported to be 12%.

Poor prognostic indicators include the following:

  • Anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • A WBC count higher than 100,000 cells/μ L
  • Abnormal circulating basophilic cells
  • Abnormal bone marrow
  • An elevated vitamin B-12 level
  • Abnormal leukocyte alkaline phosphatase levels

Race

The prevalence is low, with a racial distribution of cases as follows: 78% whites, 18% blacks, and 4% Asian Americans.

Sex

Hypereosinophilic syndrome has a 55.3% male predominance in the pediatric population.[4] The male-to-female ratio is 9:1 in adults.

Age

Persons aged 5-80 years can have hypereosinophilic syndrome. Persons aged 41-50 years are most commonly affected. The disease is rare in children.

One report documents a case of eosinophilia (WBC count, 80,000/μ L with 63% eosinophils) in an infant born to a mother with hypereosinophilic syndrome.[5] The child's eosinophil count returned to normal in 8 months.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Bruce M Rothschild, MD  Professor of Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Akron; Adjunct Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas; Director, Arthritis Center

Bruce M Rothschild, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Rheumatology, International Skeletal Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and Society of Skeletal Radiology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James M Oleske, MD, MPH  François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School

James M Oleske, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David J Valacer, MD  Consulting Staff, Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals

David J Valacer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Thoracic Society, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Pallares, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Louisville

David Pallares, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD  Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary Allergy/Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Medical Association, Clinical Immunology Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Mucosal Immunology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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