Overview
Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (IAEP) is a rare lung condition where a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil builds up in the lungs for no clearly identified reason. 'Idiopathic' means doctors cannot find a specific cause, though in many cases a recent change in smoking habits, exposure to dust, or a new environment seems to trigger it. The lungs become inflamed, making it hard to breathe properly and causing the body to struggle to get enough oxygen. People with IAEP usually become very sick very quickly — often within days to a few weeks. Common symptoms include a high fever, a dry cough, chest pain, and severe shortness of breath that can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Many patients end up needing oxygen support or even a breathing machine in the hospital. Blood tests and a procedure called bronchoalveolar lavage (where doctors rinse and sample fluid from the lungs) are used to confirm the diagnosis. The good news is that IAEP responds very well to corticosteroids, a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. Most patients recover fully and do not have the disease come back, especially if they avoid the trigger. Early recognition and treatment are key to a good outcome.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Sudden, severe shortness of breathHigh feverDry coughChest pain or tightnessFeeling very tired or weakLow oxygen levels in the bloodRapid breathingMuscle achesNight sweatsLoss of appetite
Clinical phenotype terms (11)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What do you think triggered my IAEP, and how can I avoid it in the future?,How long will I need to take steroids, and what side effects should I watch for?,How will you know when my lungs have fully recovered, and what tests will you use?,Is there a risk that IAEP will come back, and what warning signs should bring me to the emergency room?,Do I need to avoid smoking or other environmental exposures permanently?,Should I see a lung specialist (pulmonologist) for follow-up after I leave the hospital?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I should know about?
Common questions about Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia
What is Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia?
Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (IAEP) is a rare lung condition where a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil builds up in the lungs for no clearly identified reason. 'Idiopathic' means doctors cannot find a specific cause, though in many cases a recent change in smoking habits, exposure to dust, or a new environment seems to trigger it. The lungs become inflamed, making it hard to breathe properly and causing the body to struggle to get enough oxygen. People with IAEP usually become very sick very quickly — often within days to a few weeks. Common symptoms include a high feve
How is Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia inherited?
Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia typically begin?
Typical onset of Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.