[Eosinophilia and hepatopathy]

Abstract

We present the case of a 70-year old Patient with diffuse abdominal pain, severe eosinophilia, and increased liver parameters hospitalized for further evaluation. An idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was postulated and the patient was treated with highdose methylprednisolone with rapid normalisation of the eosinophil numbers and decrease of the liver parameters. Later on strongyloidosis could be diagnosed (positive ELISA Test) as the cause of eosinophilia, and the patient was successfully treated with mebendazole. Blood eosionophilia most commonly reflects an allergic, infectious or neoplastic process; increased blood and/or tissue eosinophilia range in severity from self-limited to life-threatening conditions. Strongyloides infection can persist for years without prominent symptoms and should be suspected in any patient with unexplained eosinophilia.