Hypereosinophilic syndrome

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Overview

Hypereosinophilic (hy-per-ee-o-SIN-o-phil-ik) syndrome (HES) is a group of blood disorders that occur when you have high numbers of eosinophils — white blood cells that play an important role in your immune system. Over time, the excess eosinophils enter various tissues, eventually damaging your organs.

The most common targets are the skin, lungs, digestive tract, heart, blood and nervous system. Untreated, HES can become life-threatening.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of HES may include fatigue, cough, breathlessness, muscle pain, rash and fever.

Causes

Some varieties of hypereosinophilic syndrome tend to run in families. Other types have been associated with certain types of cancers, infections or other health problems.

Risk factors

HES can affect anyone. But it occurs more often in men, usually between the ages of 20 and 50.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Hypereosinophilic syndrome care at Mayo Clinic

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Diagnosis & treatment
April 27, 2022
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  1. Hoffman R, et al. Eosinophilia, eosinophil-associated diseases, eosinophilic leukemias, and the hypereosinophilic syndromes. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 21, 2020.
  2. Eosinophil. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/eosinophil. Accessed April 21, 2020.
  3. AskMayoExpert. Eosinophilia, hypereosinophilia, and hypereosinophilic syndrome. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
  4. Ferri FF. Hypereosinophilic syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2020. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 22, 2020.
  5. Roufosse F, et al. Hypereosinophilic syndromes: Clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 22, 2020.
  6. Roufosse F, et al. Hypereosinophilic syndromes: Treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 22, 2020.
  7. Morrow ES Jr. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Feb. 10, 2020.

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