Löffler’s syndrome is a disease in which eosinophils accumulate in the lung in response to a parasitic infection. The parasite can be Strongyloides stercoralis, Dirofilaria immitis[1] or Ascaris which can enter the body through contact with the soil.[2] The symptoms of Löffler’s syndrome include those of a parasitic infection such as irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain and cramping, skin rashes and fatigue. The Löffler’s syndrome itself will cause breathlessness, coughing as well as a fever.
In 1909 a man named H. French first described the condition.[8] Then in 1932 Wilhelm Löffler[1] drew attention to the disease in cases of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by the parasites Ascaris lumbricoides,[2]Strongyloides stercoralis and the hookwormsAncylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. Finally in 1943 the condition was called Tropical eosinophilia by RJ Weingarten, and later officially named Löffler’s syndrome.[8] The most well-known case of Löffler’s syndrome was in a young boy from Louisiana. He arrived at the hospital reporting a high fever after three days, as well as having rapid breathing. ”He was hospitalized and treated with supplemental oxygen, intravenous methylprednisolone, and nebulized albuterol.”[9] The boy’s symptoms quickly subsided and upon further investigation it was discovered that the boy worked caring for pigs. A test was then performed on the pigs’ fecal matter and surrounding soil; it contained the parasite that had caused the boy’s ailment.
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