Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a very rare disease that causes inflammation of the small blood vessels (vasculitis).

In Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, small blood vessels that supply tissues in the lungs, sinuses, skin, nerves and almost every other organ can become inflamed. The disease can affect almost every organ in the body.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis belongs to a family of arthritic diseases called vasculitis. The word vasculitis means inflammation of blood vessels.

One thing that makes Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis different from other types of vasculitis is that everyone who has the disease also has asthma. At the start of the disease, most patients notice a worsening of their asthma.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis gets the first part of its name, eosinophilic, from one of the features of the disease: people with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis have an increased number of a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil.

Autoimmune Disease

The cause of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis isn’t known, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This means that it is thought that the disease is caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own small blood vessels and causing inflammation. It’s possible that an allergic trigger is involved in some people that misfires their immune system.

Who Gets Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis can affect anyone, but is more common in younger and middle-aged people. It affects men and women equally. It tends to occur in people who are susceptible to allergies, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or asthma.

Understanding Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Resources

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Quick Reference Guide