tropical pulmonary eosinophilia

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is an allergic reaction to microfilaria (Wuchereria bancrofti) which occurs particularly in the Asian subcontinent.

Presentation is with cough, fever, lassitude, and weight loss.

Chest X-ray shows bilateral hazy mottling that is equally distributed throughout both lung fields. This condition is commonly accompanied by false positive serological tests for syphilis. There are high titres of cold agglutinins.

Treatment is with diethylcarbamazine.