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Severe community-acquired pneumonia — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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HardRespiratory InfectionsSevere community-acquired pneumoniaSCE Respiratory

A patient develops acute febrile hypoxaemic respiratory failure after starting smoking. HRCT shows diffuse ground glass, blood eosinophils are initially normal and BAL contains 32% eosinophils. What is the diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Acute eosinophilic pneumonia

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia presents over days with severe hypoxaemia and BAL eosinophilia, often after a new smoking exposure. Peripheral eosinophilia may be absent initially. It responds dramatically to corticosteroids once infection is excluded.

Reference: BTS Interstitial Lung Disease resources. https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/clinical-resources/interstitial-lung-disease/