“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare condition in which there is a persistent and marked increase in the number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the blood and tissues. Eosinophils are normally involved in the body's response to infections and allergic reactions, but in HES, they accumulate in the blood and tissues for unknown reasons, leading to tissue damage and organ dysfunction.
HES can affect various organs and systems in the body, including the heart, lungs, skin, and nervous system. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, skin rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, abdominal pain, and neurological problems such as headaches, seizures, and confusion.
The cause of HES is unknown, but it may be related to genetic mutations or immune system dysregulation. Treatment options include corticosteroids, chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drugs, and targeted therapy drugs that specifically target the molecular abnormalities associated with HES. In some cases, bone marrow transplantation may be considered.
Because HES is a rare condition, diagnosis and management should be done in consultation with a specialist in hematology or immunology.