Tropical Filarial Pulmonary Eosinophilia (Tfpe) With Special Reference to Egypt: A Mini-Review

Abstract

Tropical filarial pulmonary eosinophilia (TFPE) is a clinical lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) manifestation caused by parasitic nematodes inhabiting the lymphatic and bloodstream. TFPE is an immune hyper-responsiveness to microfilariae that become lungs trapped in filariasis endemic tropical area especially among young adults, and four to seven times more common in males than in females.Clinical manifestations usually start gradual. Symptoms include a dry, hacking, non-productive cough frequently paroxysmal and nocturnal, Asthma-like attacks associated with breathlessness and wheezing. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, and malaise. But, dyspnea on exertion is relatively uncommon.