Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog
Loeffler Syndrome
Loeffler syndrome is characterized by widespread transitory pulmonary infiltrations. This syndrome may be an unusual allergic manifestation to a variety of antigens and not to a distinct clinical entity only.
Clinically, patient will present the following:
– paroxysmal attacks of coughing
– dyspnea
– pleurisy
– and little or no fever
– hepatomegaly especially in infants and young children
The most common pathogen in our country causing Loeffler syndrome is the larva of the dog ascarid, Toxocara canis and less often of the cat ascarid, Toxocara cati. Other pathogens causing the syndrome are:
– Ascaris lumbricoides
– Strongyloides stercoralis
– hookworms
– helminths
– and Paragonimiasis caused by lung fluke
Some drugs may also caused Loeffler Syndrome and these are :
– aspirin
– penicillin
– sulfonamides
– imipramine
It is worthwhile to note that in chest x-rays, lesions like seen in miliary tuberculosis can be seen; and, by doing complete blood count, there will be a very high blood eosinophil count.