Increased Serum Level of Interleukin-5 in a Patient with Episodic Angioedema and Eosinophilia Syndrome

A case of episodic angioedema and eosinophilia syndrome is reported. An 18-year-old male suffered from monthly episodes of angioedema, pruritic papules, weight gain, and fever for twelve years. During the episodes, peripheral eosinophils and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-5, an eosinophil proliferating cytokine were elevated. Extensive evaluations disclosed neither visceral involvement nor evidence of parasitic infections, collagen diseases, or neoplastic disorders. Corticosteroid treatment brought about a dramatic clinical improvement concomitant with decrement of eosinophils and serum IL-5 was observed. These observations suggest that IL-5 may be a causative factor for this pathological state. (Internal Medicine 32: 343-345, 1993)