Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare blood disorder caused by an overproduction of white blood cells that can damage organs such as the heart and liver. The cause is unknown, and symptoms mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Treatment depends on severity and affected organs.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare blood disorder that causes an overproduction of eosinophils, or white blood cells, which can damage tissues and organs, such as the heart and liver. The causes of this blood disease have yet to be discovered. The symptoms of hypereosinophilic syndrome mock those of other medical conditions, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Treatment depends on the severity and affected organs in the body.
Also known as hypereosinophilia, HS, or HES, hypereosinophilic syndrome is considered a rare condition with very few cases occurring each year. According to medical experts, hypereosinophilic syndrome usually appears in patients between the ages of 20 and 50. HES affects the body by making too many eosinophils, which are white blood cells that normally prevent allergies and infections in the body. When the body produces more eosinophils than it can handle, the cells flood into the bloodstream and collect in different parts of the body, such as tissues and organs. The end result can cause enlargement and damage to the heart, liver, spleen, and other organs.
The causes of hypereosinophilia remain unknown. Research indicates that HES may be genetic and that in some patients a ‘fusion gene’ is formed and creates a protein kinase. This protein reportedly causes blood cells such as eosinophils to multiply.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome has a variety of symptoms, which can affect patients differently, depending on which organs or tissues are affected by the disease. Common symptoms of HES include tiredness, fever, shortness of breath and cough. Blood disease can also cause body aches and rashes on the body. Thorough medical tests must be administered to confirm HES because these symptoms share similarities with other medical conditions.
Doctors usually conduct a physical examination to detect organ damage and perform a complete blood cell test to diagnose hypereosinophilic syndrome. Doctors must also follow three requirements, or criteria, to confirm a diagnosis. If a person experiences high numbers of eosinophils for at least six months, this indicates hypereosinophilic syndrome. White blood cell counts are considered elevated if they are above 1,500 per microliter. Doctors must also rule out other factors, such as an allergy or infection, and evidence of organ failure must be present to diagnose HES.
Once diagnosed, hypereosinophilic syndrome can be treated with medications, but the disease cannot be eradicated from the body. Some patients receive high doses of steroids to effectively treat HES. Other patients may receive anticancer therapies or drugs that suppress the immune system.
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