All-cause mortality and related factors in patients with varying degrees of peripheral blood eosinophilia.

The aim of this study was to investigate all-cause mortality rates and related factors in patients with different levels of eosinophilia. This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2022 in the Internal Medicine Department of Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye. A total of 161 patients with eosinophilia (at least 3 times) were included and divided into groups with absolute eosinophil counts of 500-999/µL (mild), 1000-1500/µL (moderate), and >1500/µL (severe). The mean age of patients was 65.67 ±â€…16.64 years at the time of admission, and 45 patients (57.8%) were male. The rates of mortality, oncological disease, and organ involvement were significantly higher in the severe group (P < .05). Increased serum total immunoglobulin E and vitamin B12, hematocrit value, eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and leukocyte were observed in eosinophilic patients. Decreased lymphocyte count, hemoglobin and hematocrit values were higher in deceased patients than in survivors (P < .05). Increased eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, vitamin B12, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were observed in participants who died compared to those who survived (P < .05). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that advanced age and higher LDH activity were independently associated with greater mortality risk while receiving non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or proton-pump inhibitors were associated with reduced mortality risk (P < .05). Advanced age and increased LDH activity were independently associated with greater risk for mortality, whereas absolute eosinophil counts was not. Considering the literature on this topic, our results show the need for further clinical and fundamental research to understand the role of eosinophils in human disease.

Predictive significance of the blood eosinophilia for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyp recurrence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory condition characterized by recurring nasal polyps, often necessitating repeated interventions. Blood eosinophilia has emerged as a potential biomarker for predicting disease recurrence. The present study aims to assess the predictive significance of blood eosinophilia for the recurrence of nasal polyps. To accomplish this objective, we employed the appropriate search keywords to explore international databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Through this process, we extracted scholarly articles that assessed the prognostic value of blood eosinophilia in the recurrence of nasal polyps. The statistical software STATA (version 15) was employed, along with random and fixed-effects models, to appraise the compiled data. Nine articles met inclusion criteria, with a total sample size of 1279 individuals (569 recurrent polyp individuals and 710 non-recurrent polyp individuals). Cumulative Odds ratio analysis revealed that CRSwNP is associated with high blood eosinophile percentage compared to the non-CRSwNP group (p=0.01, OR=1.26, 95%Cl (1.15,1.36). The cut-off value of blood eosinophil percentage (>0.78) had relatively good, and statistically significant predictive potential. No significant publication bias was observed for the included studies. Our findings indicate that the utilization of blood eosinophils holds significant predictive value and can serve as a valuable tool for detecting recurrence in patients with CRSwNP. Based on the outcomes of our comprehensive analysis, we propose a threshold of >0.78 as a reliable indicator for assessing the probability of recurrence in CRSwNP patients.

Blood eosinophilia and a higher ethmoid sinus/maxillary sinus score ratio predict new-onset asthma in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUD: Presently, the impact of Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) on asthma onset is unknown. AIMS: To evaluate the role of CRSwNP in asthma onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3107 CRSwNP patients were retrospectively screened from 1 January 2018, to 31 May 2021; 624 patients were enrolled. Clinical data regarding nasal symptoms, Lund-Mackay scores, blood eosinophil percentage, and onset of asthma were analyzed. Patients were divided into different groups according to past history of nasal polyps, Lund-Mackay score, and the extent of blood eosinophilia. Asthma-free rates between these subgroups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma was 10.90% in patients with CRSwNP, and new-onset asthma occurred in 3.14% of these patients. Higher Lund-Mackay scores for ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus (E/M) and blood eosinophil percentages were two independent risk factors for new-onset asthma, with hazard ratios of 1.267 (95%CI, 1.155-1.390) and 1.224 (95%CI, 1.054-1.422), respectively. CRSwNP patients with an E/M ratio > 2.33 or a blood Eos percentage > 5.5% were at risk for asthma onset. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Blood eosinophilia and a higher E/M score ratio were associated with new-onset asthma in patients with CRSwNP.

Association between specific IgE to staphylococcal enterotoxin B and the eosinophilic phenotype of asthma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sensitization to staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) could contribute to asthma severity. However, its relevance with eosinophilic phenotype has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate associations between serum specific IgE levels to SAg and eosinophilic airway inflammation in adult asthmatics. METHODS: The serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs, including staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB), and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were measured by ImmunoCAP in 230 adult asthmatic patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including serum total/free IgE, and 2 eosinophil-activation markers, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), were analyzed according to blood eosinophil counts (BEC; 150 cells/µL) and serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs (0.35 kU/L). RESULTS: Asthmatic patients showed higher serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs than HCs (p < 0.05 for all). The serum total/clinfree IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatics with positive IgE responses to 3 SAgs than those without (p < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in clinical parameters including age, asthma severity, comorbidities, or smoking according to IgE responses to 3 SAgs. Patients with positive IgE responses to SEB (not to SEA/TSST-1) had higher serum specific IgE levels to house dust mites and ECP/EDN as well as higher BEC with positive correlations between serum SEB-specific IgE levels and BEC/ECP/EDN (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that serum SEB-specific IgE levels could contribute to eosinophil activation as well as IgE production in adult asthma.

Clinical Characteristics of EGPA Patients in Comparison to GPA Subgroup with Increased Blood Eosinophilia from POLVAS Registry.

Objective: To characterize the eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) population from the POLVAS registry depending on ANCA status and diagnosis onset, including their comparison with the granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) subset with elevated blood eosinophilia (min. 400/µl) (GPA HE) to develop a differentiating strategy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the POLVAS registry. Results: The EGPA group comprised 111 patients. The ANCA-positive subset (n = 45 [40.54%]) did not differ from the ANCA-negative one in clinics. Nevertheless, cardiovascular manifestations were more common in ANCA-negative patients than in those with anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies (46.97% vs. 26.92%, p = 0.045). Patients diagnosed before 2012 (n = 70 [63.06%]) were younger (median 41 vs. 49 years, p < 0.01), had higher blood eosinophilia at diagnosis (median 4,946 vs. 3,200/µl, p < 0.01), and more often ear/nose/throat (ENT) and cardiovascular involvement. GPA HE comprised 42 (13.00%) out of 323 GPA cases with reported blood eosinophil count. Both GPA subsets had a lower prevalence of respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic manifestations but more often renal and ocular involvement than EGPA. EGPA also had cutaneous and gastrointestinal signs more often than GPA with normal blood eosinophilia (GPA NE) but not GPA HE. The model differentiating EGPA from GPA HE, using ANCA status and clinical manifestations, had an AUC of 0.92, sensitivity of 96%, and specificity of 95%. Conclusion: Cardiovascular symptoms were more prevalent in the ANCA-negative subset than in the MPO-ANCA-positive one. Since EGPA and GPE HE share similarities in clinics, diagnostic misleading may result in an inappropriate therapeutic approach. Further studies are needed to optimize their differentiation and tailored therapy, including biologics.

Determinants of blood eosinophil levels in the general population and patients with COPD: a population-based, epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Blood eosinophils are considered a biomarker for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Population-based studies are needed to better understand the determinants of the blood eosinophil count (BEC) in individuals with and without COPD. METHODS: EPISCAN II is a multicentre, cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study aimed at investigating the prevalence and determinants of COPD in Spain. Study subjects were randomly selected from the general population, and COPD was defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7. For the pre-specified outcomes related to BEC, the first 35 COPD and 35 non-COPD subjects were consecutively recruited in 12 of the participating centres with the objective of analysing 400 individuals in each group. Baseline BEC and its association with demographic, clinical and functional variables were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 326 COPD and 399 non-COPD subjects were included in the analysis. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 63.2 years (11.0), 46.3% were male, and 27.6% were active smokers. BEC was significantly higher in individuals with COPD [192 cells/µL (SD: 125) vs. 160 cells/µL (SD: 114); p = 0.0003]. In a stepwise multivariate model, being male, active smoker and having a previous diagnosis of asthma were independently associated with having a higher BEC. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study estimated the distribution of eosinophils in the healthy adult population and concluded that COPD patients have a significantly higher BEC. Male sex, active smoking and concomitant asthma were significantly associated with a higher BEC.

Circulating BAFF as novel biomarker in distinguishing chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps endotypes and predicting postoperative recurrence.

BACKGROUND: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in inflammatory and allergic diseases, but its role in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the predictive value of circulating BAFF in CRSwNP endotypes and postoperative recurrence. METHODS: We recruited 120 CRSwNP patients, including 68 non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (neCRSwNP) patients, 52 eosinophilic CRSwNP (CRSwNP) patients, and 60 healthy controls (HCs). Circulating BAFF levels of all participants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the predictive ability of BAFF levels in distinguishing CRSwNP endotypes. All CRSwNP patients were followed for more than 3 years, and the predictive value of circulating BAFF for postoperative recurrence was evaluated. RESULTS: Serum BAFF levels were elevated in CRSwNP patients compared with the HCs (P < 0.01) and significantly higher in eCRSwNP patients. The increased serum BAFF concentrations positively correlated with blood eosinophil counts and percentages, tissue eosinophil counts, and serum total IgE (P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that serum BAFF exhibited strong discriminative ability for eCRSwNP. Finally, 99 CRSwNP patients completed the follow-up schedule, 65 patients were classified into non-recurrence group and the other 34 patients were categorized into recurrence group. Serum BAFF levels were significantly higher in recurrence group than non-recurrence group (P < 0.001), and the ROC curve suggested a high predictive value of serum BAFF in predicting postoperative recurrence. Moreover, logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier curves showed that serum BAFF was an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that serum BAFF levels were upregulated in CRSwNP patients and correlated with mucosal eosinophil infiltration severity. Serum BAFF seemed to be a novel biomarker for preoperatively distinguishing CRSwNP endotypes and predicting postoperative recurrence.

Síndrome DRESS secundária ao uso de alopurinol: um relato de caso / DRESS syndrome secondary to the use of allopurinol: a case report

A Síndrome de DRESS (do inglês, Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) é uma patologia rara que consiste em uma severa reação medicamentosa mediada por células T. O presente relato de caso retrata uma paciente do sexo feminino, 59 anos, que apresentou icterícia, febre não termometrada, acolia, colúria, mialgia, placas hipercrômicas e lesões pruriginosas. Referiu uso recente de alopurinol, paracetamol e nimesulida, apresentando melhora importante e espontânea após a suspensão das medicações. A extensão do tempo de exposição ao medicamento agressor ocasiona um maior período de internação e risco de mortalidade. Além disso, os dados restritos sobre a Síndrome de DRESS impõe desafios ao seu diagnóstico. Sendo assim, este estudo busca destacar a importância do diagnóstico clínico precoce, a suspensão do medicamento agressor e a instituição da terapêutica adequada para um prognóstico favorável

The Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome is a rare pathology that consists of a severe drug reaction mediated by T cells. The present case report depicts a female patient, 59 years old, who presented jaundice, non thermometered fever, acholia, choluria, myalgia, hyperchromic plaques and pruritic lesions. She mentioned recent use of allopurinol, paracetamol and nimesulide, showing significant and spontaneous improvement after discontinuation of medications. The extension of time of exposure to the offending drug causes a longer period of hospitalization and risk of mortality. In addition, the restricted data on DRESS Syndrome poses challenges to its diagnosis. Therefore, this study seeks to highlight the importance of early clinical diagnosis, suspension of the offending drug and the institution of appropriate therapy for a favorable prognosis

Incidence, aetiology and clinical features of eosinophilic pleural effusion: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE) is a distinct entity among pleural effusions, but its diagnostic and prognostic significance is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and aetiological distribution of EPE in our institution and to assess the relationship between EPE and malignancy and other underlying diseases and the relevance of the percentage of eosinophils and other laboratory parameters. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 252 patients with PE from September 2017 to January 2021. RESULTS: EPE was found in 34 (13.49%) out of 252 patients. There were 20 (58.82%) males and 14 (41.18%) females in the EPE group. The mean percentage of eosinophils in EPE (21.7%, range (10.0-67.5%)) was significantly higher than the percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood (5.65%, range (0-34.60%); p < 0.05). The most common cause of EPE was malignant disease (52.94%), followed by idiopathy (14.71%), parasites (8.82%), pneumonia (8.82%) and others (14.71%). Comparative analysis of patients with malignant versus nonmalignant EPE showed that patients with malignant EPE were significantly older, and had a lower white blood cell (WBC) count in the pleural fluid (1.8 vs 4.7 cells × 109/L, p < 0.05). However, the percentage of eosinophils in PE was not significantly different between malignant EPE and nonmalignant EPE (p = 0.66). There was no correlation between the percentage of eosinophils in PE and peripheral blood (r = 0.29; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Malignant disease ranks as the leading cause of EPE. The presence of EPE should not be considered as a predictive factor of benign conditions. Pleural parasitic infestation (PPI) should be emphasized in areas with a high incidence of parasitic disease.

Time-dependent blood eosinophilia count increases the risk of kidney allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggest that type 2 immune effectors play a role in solid organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of blood count eosinophils (BCEo) on immunological outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function after 3 months post-transplant. METHOD: We performed cause-specific Cox model considering BCEo, the use of calcineurin inhibitors and systemic corticoids as time-dependent explicative variables on a prospective cohort of 1013 kidney transplant patients who experienced kidney allograft rejection and/or the appearance of de novo donor specific antibodies after excluding common causes of increased BCEo.. FINDINGS: BCEo ≥ 0.3 G/L was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of rejection independent of immunosuppressive regimen after 3 months post-transplant in patients without pre-transplant DSAs and with CNI-based immunosuppression. No association between BCEo either with donor specific antibodies or graft survival was noticed. INTERPRETATION: These observations in this large cohort support the hypothesis of eosinophils in allo-immunity in human and claim for further mechanistic research. FUNDING: This study was supported by the French National Research Agency, The "Institut de Recherche en Santé Respiratoire des Pays de la Loire" and the University hospital of Nantes.

Allergy-Related Sialodochitis: A Preliminary Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To explore the clinically feasible diagnosis criteria and treatment outcomes of allergy-related sialodochitis (ARS). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort Study. METHODS: Ninety-six consecutive patients were enrolled by the following criteria: 1) recurrent swelling of ≥2 large salivary glands that lasted for ≥3 months; 2) with mucus plug exudations; 3) with atopic diseases; 4) ductal stenosis and/or ectasia. Sixty-four patients with elevation of peripheral blood eosinophil (PBE) and/or serum IgE level comprised group A (highly-suspected ARS group), while the remaining 32 comprised group B (patients without confirmed evidence of ARS). These patients were treated with interventional endoscopy. A chronic obstructive sialadenitis symptom (COSS) questionnaire was used to quantify the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: In group A, Serum IgE was elevated in 84.4% of patients and PBE was elevated in 34.4% of patients. Percentage of submandibular gland involvement was higher in group A than group B (48.4% vs. 18.8%). On sialograms, the snowflake changes of branch ducts were seen in higher percentage of group A compared with group B (59% vs. 35% for parotid glands, 27% vs. 8% for submandibular glands, respectively). Mucus plug smears showed abundant eosinophils in 14 group A patients. Biopsy of five group A patients revealed significant eosinophil infiltration around the main and interlobular ducts. During follow-up, the COSS scores were significantly decreased in both groups, and group B was improved better than group A. CONCLUSION: PBE and serum IgE are important diagnostic indexes of ARS. Mucus plug smear or histopathology verifies the diagnosis. Interventional endoscopy is helpful for ARS cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:2030-2035, 2021.

Heart disease in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) patients: a screening approach proposal.

OBJECTIVE: To define the pattern of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis and polyangiitis (EGPA) and propose an algorithm for heart disease screening. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of EGPA patients attending a specialized vasculitis clinic (1989-2016). Clinical characteristics and cardiovascular evaluation (CE) results (serum troponin, ECG, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance) were collected and compared according to symptoms and inflammatory cardiac disease (ICD). RESULTS: A total of 131 EGPA patients were included, of whom 96 (73%) had undergone CE. The median (interquartile range) age was 50 (38-58) years and 36% showed ANCA+. Asthma preceded diagnosis by a median of 97 (36-240) months. Among the 96 patients who underwent CE, 43% were symptomatic, with dyspnea (47%) and chest pain (29%) being the predominant symptoms. In asymptomatic patients, CE reported abnormalities in 45% of cases, with a subsequent earlier diagnosis (4 vs 11 months). Overall, 27 patients had EGPA-related ICD (EGPA-rICD) that was already present at diagnosis in 20 cases, preceded it in 2 cases and developed later in 5 cases. EGPA-rICD patients were younger (46 vs 50 years; P = 0.04), had more frequently abnormal ECG (30.8 vs 2.1%; P < 0.001), negative ANCA (85 vs 69%; NS), higher BVAS score (3 vs 1; P = 0.005), higher eosinophil count (5.60 vs 1.60 × 109/l; P = 0.029) and higher CRP (52 vs 15 mg/l; P = 0.017). Overall, 11% of cases with EGPA-rICD were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: In our study, 45% of asymptomatic patients had an abnormal baseline cardiac evaluation, which allowed an earlier diagnosis of cardiac disease. We recommend prompt cardiac screening in all EGPA patients, instead of a symptoms-guided algorithm.

Peripheral blood eosinophil levels in chronic rhinosinusitis and its predictive value in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of eosinophilic CRSwNP in China has increased significantly over the last 20 years, noninvasive methods that could assist in diagnosis are urgently needed. AIMS: The aim of this study is to explore the clinical significance of peripheral blood eosinophil in diagnosing ECRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 221 patients diagnosed with CRS. Lund-Mackay score, peripheral blood eosinophil absolute count, peripheral blood eosinophil percentage were detection to compare the clinical features with ECRS and non-ECRS. ROC curve was performed to assess the efficiency of clinical index to predict ECRS. RESULTS: The ECRS group of patients had significantly higher scores compared with those of the non-ECRS group. Different extent and severity of mucosal thickening on total Lund-Mackay scores, anterior ethmoidal, posterior ethmoidal and ostiomeatal complex have confirmed different blood eosinophil levels in CRS patients. The combination of peripheral blood eosinophil percentage and posterior ethmoidal score to predict ECRS was 0.807. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The increase in peripheral blood eosinophil percent indicates the deterioration the inflammation of chronic rhinosinusitis and the level of posterior ethmoidal score and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage have a positive predictive value regarding ECRS identification.

Identification of a Novel CSNK2A1-PDGFRB Fusion Gene in a Patient with Myeloid Neoplasm with Eosinophilia.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) rearrangements play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilia-associated myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms. Up to now, more than 70 PDGFRB fusions have been identified. Here, a novel PDGFRB fusion gene CSNK2A1-PDGFRB has been identified in myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with eosinophilia by RNA-sequencing, which has been verified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. The new PDGFRB fusion partner gene CSNK2A1 encoded one of the two catalytic subunit of casein kinase II (CK2). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the involvement of CSNK2A1 in fusion genes, especially fusion with another kinase PDGFRB in MPN. In addition, the CSNK2A1-PDGFRB fusion retained the entire kinase domain of PDGFRB and response to imatinib at low concentration. The patient with CSNK2A1-PDGFRB was sensitive to imatinib treatment and acquired sustained complete remission.