Eosinophilic asthma is caused by an overreaction of white blood cells in the airways, leading to inflammation and swelling. Researchers are studying the signaling process of these cells to develop new therapies. Treatment involves immunosuppressive drugs and rescue inhalers. The condition can also cause hypersensitivity of the immune system and be associated with other autoimmune diseases. Research aims to prevent severe attacks and improve treatment effectiveness.
Eosinophilic asthma is inflammation of the airways associated with a large number of specialized white blood cells in the airways. These cells, known as eosinophils, are part of the immune system and are designed to react when the body is exposed to foreign particles and organisms. In asthma, they overreact and go on the offensive, attacking body tissues because they get confused. Research on eosinophils and asthma suggests that they play an important role in the development of this common respiratory condition and are also closely involved in asthma exacerbation.
In patients with eosinophilic asthma, white blood cells crowd the airways, initially prompted by a chemical signal. When they appear, they make their own signals to attract other white blood cells. This causes inflammation and swelling of the airways which can arise very quickly and be dangerous for the patient. Sputum samples may reveal high levels of eosinophils, and the patient’s blood will also have a high white blood cell count, indicating that the patient’s immune system is responding to something.
The exact process by which eosinophilic asthma develops is not fully understood, although researchers say the signaling process used by white blood cells could be a therapeutic target. By stopping the signaling in its tracks, doctors could halt asthma before an exacerbation or help a patient recover more quickly from a severe episode. Management of the condition involves administering immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids to shut down the immune response. Patients can also use rescue inhalers that force the airways wide, making breathing possible.
A consequence of eosinophilic asthma is hypersensitivity of the immune system as a whole, not just the airways. The patient may be more prone to skin irritation, for example, because the body is on alert. Asthma can be associated with problems such as eczema and rashes created by autoimmune responses. Medications can be used to treat each individual outbreak to manage the patient’s condition, and people can also consider maintenance medications to prevent accidents.
Research in eosinophilic asthma has investigated a number of aspects of how the condition develops and why patient responses may be sustained. This may help with the development of new drug therapies to prevent the onset of severe asthma attacks and treat patients more effectively during attacks. Like other autoimmune diseases, eosinophilic asthma can be potentially very serious for the patient, as the uncontrolled inflammation can progress to the point of severe impairment.
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