THE INTERLEUKIN-5 MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN A PATIENT WITH IDIOPATHIC HYPEREOSINOPHILIC SYNDROME

Interleukin-5 has a specific role in various eosinophilic activities. It is the predominant cytokine produces by activated T-lymphocytes iso lated from patients with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. We stu died a young patient suffering from idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndr ome who presented with Horner's syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and sk in ulcers. The IL-5 gene expression by CD4(+) T-lymphocytes and the pe ripheral eosinophil count were raised. The skin ulcers continued to de teriorate despite a swift reduction of the IL-5 gene expression and pe ripheral eosinophil count following systemic corticosteroid treatment. We suggest that peripheral eosinophilia may not be responsible for th e damage in skin lesions and more aggressive treatment may be required .