Pertussoid Eosinophilic Pneumonia: Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia in Very Young Infants

Abstract

This presents four new cases of pertussoid eosinophilic pneumonia in young infants. The 19 previously reported cases have been young infants with bilateral intersitial infiltrates and eosinophilia. The cause of this syndrome is unknown. Cultures from the four patients were negative; however, studies of immunoglobulin levels suggest that the disease has an infectious etiology. The cause of the eosinophilia is also unknown; however, it appears to be associated with a favorable prognosis in young infants with severe bilateral pneumonitis.