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Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an uncommon, acute-onset form of eosinophilic lung disease which varies in severity. Though poorly understood, the pathogenesis of AEP likely varies depending on the underlying cause which may include smoking, inhalation exposure, medication, and infection. In most patients, AEP is idiopathic, or has no known cause. AEP is characterized by airway injury, vascular injury, and the release of IL-33, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. This results in the recruitment of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, to the lungs with subsequent inflammation and symptoms. Symptoms are nonspecific and include cough, shortness of breath, malaise, myalgia, night sweats, and pleuritic chest pain. Pathogenesis While not completely understood, it is thought that AEP may be triggered by offending agents such as smoking, parasites, or fungi that trigger a hypersensitivity reaction. Diagnosis Eosinophilic pneumonia is diagnosed by characteristic imaging and the pres ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rare Diseases
A rare disease is any disease that affects a small percentage of the population. In some parts of the world, the term orphan disease describes a rare disease whose rarity results in little or no funding or research for treatments, without financial incentives from governments or other agencies. Orphan drugs are medications targeting orphan diseases. Most rare diseases are genetic in origin and thus are present throughout the person's entire life, even if symptoms do not immediately appear. Many rare diseases appear early in life, and about 30% of children with rare diseases will die before reaching their fifth birthdays. Fields condition is considered the rarest known disease, affecting three known individuals, two of whom are identical twins. With four diagnosed patients in 27 years, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase deficiency is considered the second rarest. While no single number has been agreed upon for which a disease is considered rare, several efforts have been undertaken ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |