Why is it so important to undergo fluorography annually and take blood tests periodically? These studies allow you to identify some pulmonary diseases at an early stage, because most of them are asymptomatic. These include Leffler's syndrome. Symptoms and treatment of the pathological process, as well as the main causes, will be considered in today's article.
Description of the disease
Under Leffler's syndrome, doctors perceive pulmonary allergies. When reacting to a specific irritant, seals are formed in the organs of the respiratory system - infiltrates. They are filled with a separate type of blood cells, which are also a type of white blood cells and are called "eosinophils."
An increased content of these substances in a blood test usually indicates allergic / infectious processes in the body, infection with parasites or a tumor. Infiltrates are distinguished by the ability to migrate over the affected organ. They can disappear on their own and not leave behind even cicatricial changes.
For the first time, an eosinophilic lesion of the pulmonary system was described at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, scientists have not been able to identify Leffler's syndrome in a specific medical framework. Even numerous studies have failed to provide an answer regarding the exact causes and premises of its occurrence. This is a real medical mystery. There is no specific information on age and social thresholds. Some studies say that only children are affected by the syndrome, and at-risk populations include people with tropical climates. However, this pathology successfully migrates across the planet. Among the sick, there are young people and representatives of old age.
Causes of infection
Despite the difficulties in identifying the etiology of the pathological process, doctors were able to identify a group of provocative factors. It is noteworthy that the symptoms characterizing Leffler's syndrome can occur after contact with animals and even during the treatment of other diseases.
Among the main sources of infection, doctors distinguish:
- Airborne allergens. The development of the syndrome is often observed as a response of the body to pollen of plants or mold of fungi. Of particular danger are chemicals.
- Medicines The use of certain groups of drugs is an unlikely but acceptable cause of pulmonary eosinophilia. According to studies, the corresponding reaction was detected on antibiotics, the active substances of which are penicillin and nitrofuran.
- Bacteria (some types of staphylococci, streptococci and brucella). Pathogenic flora is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through a handshake, personal hygiene items and food. After that, it penetrates the body through open wounds. Airborne transmission of bacteria is not excluded.
- Worms. Parasites enter the respiratory system 2-3 weeks after infection. It can be roundworms, intestinal acne, toxocara, trichinella or hookworms. Sharing occurs both from sick people and after contact with animals.
Leffler's syndrome ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) is defined under the code J82.
High risk group
Medical statistics of morbidity allows us to identify a group of factors that make a person vulnerable to the syndrome. We are talking about specific habits and general health.
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 confirmed pulmonary eosinophilia have a history of bronchial asthma.
- HIV infected The main reason for the development of the pathological process is weakened immunity.
- Patients with cancer.
- Travelers. This is more true for tourists exploring the countries of Asia and Africa.
Belonging to one or several categories from the list above significantly increases the likelihood of developing pulmonary eosinophilia.
Clinical picture
What are the symptoms of leffler syndrome? Among the main manifestations of the pathological process, doctors distinguish: fever, general malaise and weakness. Some patients have a mild cough and yellow sputum discharge due to the presence of dead eosinophils.
In the picture after an X-ray examination, single or multiple foci of accumulation of infiltrates can be considered. Moreover, their sizes and localization vary. If the infected person has a strong immune system, infiltrates usually resolve on their own within 2-3 weeks.
During an auscultatory diagnosis, another symptom can be identified - 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%).
The course of the pathological process
This disease can occur in one of three forms. Consider each of the options in more detail.
- Simple form. It is characterized by a dim clinical picture. During coughing, sputum with blood can be released, and discomfort appears in the area of the trachea. If the infection is caused by the penetration of helminths into the body, and their eggs are in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatitis develops.
- Acute form. Leffler's syndrome begins with a sudden increase in temperature and is characterized by a severe course. The patient has symptoms of intoxication. Over a short period of time, respiratory failure develops. Treatment is always carried out in a hospital.
- Chronic form. Most often detected in women suffering from bronchial asthma. Among the main symptoms, doctors distinguish severe sweating, weight loss and shortness of breath.
Determining the form of the pathological process helps to choose the right therapy.
Diagnostic Methods
The clinical presentation described above is not sufficient to support Leffler’s syndrome. Symptoms in children of this pathology and in adults practically do not differ, therefore, a general comprehensive examination is assigned to all categories of patients. It consists of the following activities:
- Roentgenogram. In the picture with pulmonary eosinophilia, dark spots can be clearly seen. These are infiltrates.
- Blood analysis. Normally, in a healthy person, the number of eosinophils in the blood should not exceed 5-10%. An increase in this indicator to 20-80% allows you to suspect Leffler's syndrome. The number of eosinophils in children in a healthy 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. It is carried out in order to detect parasites in the body.
- Allergological tests.
An important component of 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 in a short time pass independently 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 excreted from the body. If the reason is in the medications taken, analogue drugs are selected.
Sometimes Leffler’s syndrome cannot be defeated even after intensive care. In this case, it may be necessary to connect a ventilator to the device and more stressful medication. Among the drugs that are prescribed in the fight against pulmonary eosinophilia, one can distinguish:
- Steroid hormones. The most effective is characterized by Prednisolone. Its prolonged 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-asthma 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, these drugs are recommended to be taken in the form of inhalations.
Drug therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is not recommended, since it is difficult for an average person to calculate the dosage of drugs and the duration of their administration. Otherwise, serious complications are rarely avoided.
Antiparasitic course of treatment
Leffler's syndrome with ascariasis is a fairly common phenomenon. Therefore, it is advisable to separately consider which medicines are used to combat this problem. If you believe the doctors, they have proven themselves excellent:
- "Pirantel." It fights against nematodes, achieving neuromuscular blockade in parasites sensitive to it. As a result, they are successfully excreted from the digestive tract.
- "Carbendacim." Active substances penetrate the helminth shell, paralyzing it. As a result, the parasite loses its ability to be fixed in the intestinal lumen.
- Mebendazole This drug is effective against most medicine-known worms.
With 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. Do not give up therapy for another month after the symptoms disappear. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will continue to progress, and allergies will provoke pulmonary edema. Also, do not exclude fibrosis - 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, digestive organs. Against the backdrop of a developing oxygen deficiency, impaired brain function is not ruled out.
Likelihood of relapse
Separately, it is necessary to talk about cases of relapse. Most often they have to face due to incorrect or untimely diagnosis, poor treatment. After a course of therapy, the patient may look completely healthy externally. However, ordinary stress or another contact with an allergen provokes another relapse.
Prevention Methods
Is it possible to prevent Leffler's disease? That this is really a dangerous ailment, now there is no doubt. Therefore, many people at risk are interested in prevention issues.
The main preventive measure is regular visits to the office of an allergist. If the pathology differs in precisely this etiology, it is necessary to strictly follow the advice of a specialist and take the recommended medications. You need to buy a standard set of medicines at home, with which you can stop another attack of allergies.