Hypereosinophilia following aspirin desensitization for aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Abstract

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is an inflammatory syndrome characterized by the triad of asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and sensitivity to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).1 Its pathogenesis is related to deranged arachidonic acid metabolism leading to elevated levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) and prostaglandin D2, both of which contribute to eosinophilia found in AERD.1,2 Aspirin desensitization followed by maintenance aspirin therapy has been shown to be beneficial at reducing symptoms in patients with AERD, although its mechanism for doing so remains unproven.