The word "hypereosinophilia" refers to an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells called eosinophils. The spelling of this word can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first part "hyper-" is pronounced /haɪpər/ and means "excessive". The next part "eosino-" is pronounced /iːəʊsɪnəʊ/ and refers to the type of white blood cell. The suffix "-philia" is pronounced /fɪliə/ and means "an attraction to". Together, hypereosinophilia is pronounced /haɪpər iːəʊsɪnəʊfɪliə/ and refers to the excessive attraction of eosinophils in the blood.
Hypereosinophilia refers to a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of eosinophils in the blood or tissues. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system's response to parasitic infections and allergies. They are involved in fighting off infections and modulating inflammation.
The term "hypereosinophilia" is commonly used when eosinophil levels exceed a specific threshold, usually greater than 1,500 eosinophils per microliter of blood, for an extended period. This condition can be classified as primary or secondary hypereosinophilia.
Primary hypereosinophilia, also known as hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), is a rare and complex disorder characterized by sustained eosinophilic production. It can be caused by genetic mutations or abnormalities in the bone marrow, resulting in excessive eosinophil proliferation.
Secondary hypereosinophilia, on the other hand, occurs as a response to various underlying conditions, such as allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, infections (like parasitic or fungal), and drug reactions. In secondary hypereosinophilia, the eosinophilic increase is typically transient and may resolve once the underlying cause is treated.
Symptoms of hypereosinophilia can vary, depending on the organs or tissues affected by eosinophil accumulation. Common manifestations include fever, rash, breathing difficulties, digestive problems, enlarged lymph nodes, and heart abnormalities.
Treatment for hypereosinophilia focuses on addressing the underlying cause, if identified, or managing the symptoms and complications. This may involve the use of medications like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and targeted biological therapies to reduce eosinophil levels and control
Excessive eosinophilia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hypereosinophilia" is derived from combining several Greek and Latin roots.
The first part, "hyper", comes from the Greek word "huper", meaning "above" or "beyond", generally used to convey excess or higher than normal levels.
The term "eosinophilia" consists of two parts: "eosino" and "philia". "Eosino" comes from the Greek word "eōs", meaning "dawn" or "rosy". It refers to a pink-red dye called eosin that tends to stain the cellular structures that eosinophils are rich in.
The second part, "philia", is derived from the Greek word "philos", which means "loving". In medical terms, "-philia" is used to denote an increase or a strong affinity for something.