Churg Strauss Syndrome

Abstract

Churg Strauss syndrome (CSS) also known as Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare condition characterized by asthma, high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), and inflammation of small to medium sized blood vessels (vasculitis).1 The inflamed vessels can affect various organ systems including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, skin, heart and nervous system. No known cause of disease is found but believe to be an auto immune disorder and genetic factors and allergies play vital role to trigger the disease. CSS has 3 stages, with its own clinical manifestations. It’s not necessary that all patients with CSS will go through all 3 stages and they also do not manifest in same order always. The first stage is an allergic stage presents with respiratory problems, second stage is eosinophilic stage characterized by intra organ infiltration of eosinophils and final stage is a vasculitic stage with swollen lypmph nodes, joint pain, necrotizing inflammation of small vessels. Morbidity rate is high and it also need long term monitoring.