Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a rare cause of erythroderma

A Rare Presentation of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome With Loffler's Endomyocarditis, Encephalopathy, and Multiple Thromboembolic Strokes

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a disorder with a high eosinophilic count for which no identifiable cause is evident. Herein we report a case of a 47-year-old male with a background history of hypereosinophilia, who presented with sudden onset altered level of consciousness and drowsiness for 1-day duration associated with a gradual onset progressive memory loss for 1-month duration. Based on clinical, biochemical, and imaging studies, a diagnosis of Loffler's endomyocarditis was made for which he was treated with albendazole with diethylcarbamazine along with high-dose steroids. He made a successful recovery after 2 months of treatment.

Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case Report

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare condition characterized by persistent severe eosinophilia and organ damage without any apparent cause. A 20-year-old male patient with no significant medical history was admitted to the Emergency Department with retrosternal chest pain, fatigue and asthenia. EKG showed ST elevation I, II, III, aVF, V4-V6 and blood tests showed elevated troponin levels. An echocardiogram was performed revealing severe global left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Further evaluations included cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsy, confirming the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis. The patient was started on systemic corticosteroid therapy, resulting in clinical improvement. The patient was discharged after 12 days of hospitalization, following a recovery of biventricular function and he was told to continue oral corticosteroid therapy at home. Further investigation ruled out other causes of hypereosinophilic syndromes, therefore the diagnosis of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was assumed. Despite the attempt to reduce corticosteroid therapy, the eosinophil count became elevated again, so the dosage was increased and associated with azathioprine with subsequent favorable analytical evolution. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome and emphasizes the importance of prompt treatment initiation to prevent complications.

Idiopathic Hypereosinophilia: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE

Physicians can sometimes encounter idiopathic hypereosinophilia (HE), but little is known about it. In this multicenter study, we analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with idiopathic HE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with idiopathic HE (idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: iHES or hypereosinophilia with undetermined significance: HEus) at six tertiary hospitals between January 2010 and June 2021 were included in this retrospective observational study. Demographics, clinical and laboratory data, and treatment responses were obtained from the electronic medical records of the study subjects.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients with idiopathic HE (45 with iHES and 28 with HEus) were included in the present study. Overall, 12 (26.7%) and 5 (17.9%) were women, and mean age of patients at diagnosis was 51.84 ± 17.29 years and 60.21 ± 18.01 years in iHES and HEus groups, respectively. Forty-three (95.6%) patients of iHES and 15 (53.6%) patients of HEus received corticosteroids as 1st-line treatment. Treatment response to corticosteroids in patients with iHES was generally good: complete response (n=25, 58.1%), partial response (n=12, 27.9%), no response (n=6, 14.0%). Treatment response to corticosteroids in HEus was complete response (n=7, 46.7%), partial response (n=6, 40.0%), and no response (n=2, 13.3%). There were 13 patients (46.4%) with HEus who were not treated.

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid treatment is generally effective and well tolerated by patients with iHES. Some patients with HEus are treated with corticosteroids in clinical practice. Extensive research is needed to establish a standardized management guidelines for iHES and determine whether treatment for HEus is required.

A Lymphocytic Variant of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting With Isolated Cutaneous Manifestations

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disease defined by a persistent increase in eosinophilic cells associated with organ damage without any underlying cause. Three variants have been identified: myeloproliferative, lymphocytic, and idiopathic syndrome. The symptomatology is variable because it depends on the involvement of different organs, including the circulatory system, skin, lungs, digestive tract, peripheral and central nervous system, and eyes. Although cutaneous involvement may frequently reveal an underlying HES. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with a 12-year history of skin lesions with intense pruritus. On examination, the patient presented with erythroderma, extensive infiltrated plaques, excoriated itchy papules, palmoplantar pustules, ear infiltration, periorbital edema, and cutaneous xerosis. Histopathology showed lichenoid dermatitis without epidermotropism. Inflammatory infiltrates in the dermis were principally composed of eosinophilic cells and lymphocytes. Serum immunoglobulin E and peripheral blood immunophenotyping showed atypical T lymphocyte proliferation CD4+CD3-, and clonal TCR gene rearrangement was in favor of lymphocytic HES. The patient was treated with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) and pegylated interferon alpha with improvement. This case shows that HES should be suspected in patients with dermatological lesions and hypereosinophilia, without obvious cause. Elimination of secondary causes of eosinophilia, evaluation of deep organ involvement, and cytogenetic studies to assess prognosis are paramount. Pegylated interferon alpha 2a may be an effective treatment option for steroid-resistant or refractory patients with lymphocytic HES.

[Cholesterol crystal embolism mimicking a DRESS]

INTRODUCTION

Clinical presentation of cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) can be dermatologic when cholesterol crystals become lodged in small cutaneous arteries resulting in ischemia. We report a case of CCE with erythroderma misleading to a diagnostic of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

CASE REPORT

A 66 year-old woman presented with erythroderma few months after initiation of allopurinol. Acute renal failure was present with elevation in plasma creatinine concentration (523μmol/L) and hypereosinophilia (HE) (5666/mm³). Finally, the REGISCAR score helped to rule out DRESS diagnostic. Past blood-count tests were analyzed revealing chronic HE present before allopurinol initiation. Renal biopsy identified CCE.

CONCLUSION

This case is the first to report a DRESS like presentation of CCE. Clinical findings are secondary to HE and not to occlusion of cutaneous arteries.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with cutaneous involvement: a comparative review of 32 cases

Although idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is uncommon, we studied the clinical characteristics of this disorder in patients with cutaneous involvement. We chronicle the case of a patient with diffuse skin rash due to idiopathic HES from our clinical experience. Furthermore, a systematic literature search of the medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted. A total of 32 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The data on patients' characteristics, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were collected and analysed. This review illustrates that physicians should maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for idiopathic HES in patients presenting with dermatological lesions and hypereosinophilia, without an obvious cause. Randomised clinical trials are warranted to outline a generalised and efficient therapeutic approach in these patients. Additionally, this paper highlights the need for population-based studies to delineate the magnitude and scope of this association.

Case for diagnosis. Erythroderma as manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is defined as persistent eosinophilia (>1500/µL for more than six months) associated with organ involvement, excluding secondary causes. It is a rare, potentially lethal disease that should be considered in cutaneous conditions associated with hypereosinophilia. We report a case of erythroderma as a manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome. A 36-year-old male with no comorbidities presented progressive erythroderma, pruritus, peripheral neuropathy, and eosinophilia in the previous seven months. No mutations were found in FIP1L1/PDGFRA. Patient experienced rapid remission in response to oral prednisone and hydroxyurea. Cutaneous manifestations may be the only evidence of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Genotyping excludes myeloproliferative disease, thereby orienting treatment and prognosis.