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Churg - Strauss Syndrome and Asthma

I am presently being tested for the above disease after a possible allergic reaction to the drug Accolate used for asthma. I have developed a vasculitis in my ankles.

What is this disease?

I understand it is treatable but not curable. I am 71 years old and I would like some straight answers, good or bad.

Thanks,
Phyllis P. G.

Dear Phyllis,

Thanks for asking about asthma and the Churg-Strauss Syndrome.

The Churg-Strauss Syndrome is a disease of smaller blood vessels which includes inflammation of the vessel walls [vasulitis]. The cause of the inflammation is unknown, but it occurs most commonly in patients with a history of allergy and asthma. The inflammation is fairly well controlled using steroid therapy such as prednisone. The typical Churg-Strauss patient has asthma and a high level of "eosinophils" in the blood stream.

Some patients who have this form of vasculitis discover that they have it when their prednisone therapy is being reduced as they try the newer asthma medications Accolate and Singulair. These drugs do not cause the vasculitis as we currently understand things.

The diagnosis of Churg-Strauss can only be made by studying the blood vessels under the microscope using a biopsy of the involved tissues.

I hope this brief information is useful to you.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com