acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia AEP and CEP


Idiopathic AEP is a severe illness of acute onset characterized by hypoxemia and respiratory failure. AEP is a disease affecting mostly young to middle-aged patients (average age, 29 years; range, 19-37 years) with a slight male predominance, and most patients are previously healthy. Forty to sixty-six percent of patients are smokers, and often recent onset smokers. In fact, cigarette smoking is the most commonly associated risk factor for AEP in those persons susceptible to its development. The patient may have recently increased tobacco use or resumed smoking after a period of discontinuation. Other associated risk factors with the development of AEP include heavy dust exposure, drugs, occupational exposures, and both World Trade Center dust and military exposures to sand and oil fields in the Middle East. Cocaine use has also been associated with AEP. An association with asthma is rare in contrast to chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP).

Demographics and pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Imaging

Treatment

Footnotes

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