Churg Strauss Syndrome

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Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Churg Strauss Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Allergic Angiitis and Granulomatosis
• Allergic Granulomatosis and Angiitis
• Allergic Granulomatosis
• Eosinophilic Granulomatous Vasculitis
• Churg-Strauss Vasculitis

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Churg-Strauss Syndrome is a rare disorder that may affect multiple organ systems, particularly the lungs. The disorder is characterized by the formation and accumulation of an unusually large number of antibodies, abnormal clustering of certain white blood cells (eosinophilia), inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), and the development of inflammatory nodular lesions (granulomatosis).



Many individuals with Churg-Strauss Syndrome have a history of allergy. In addition, asthma and other associated lung (pulmonary) abnormalities (i.e., pulmonary infiltrates) often precede the development of the generalized (systemic) symptoms and findings seen in Churg-Strauss Syndrome by one or more years. Asthma, a chronic respiratory disorder, is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the lungs’ airways, causing difficulties breathing (dyspnea), coughing, the production of a high-pitched whistling sound while breathing (wheezing), and/or other symptoms and findings.



Nonspecific findings associated with Churg-Strauss Syndrome typically include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, a general feeling of weakness and fatigue (malaise), loss of appetite (anorexia), weight loss, and muscle pain (myalgia). Additional symptoms and findings may be variable, depending upon the specific organ systems involved. Without appropriate treatment, serious organ damage and potentially life-threatening complications may result.



Although the exact cause of Churg-Strauss Syndrome is unknown, many researchers indicate that abnormal immunologic and autoimmune factors play an important role.

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Resources

Vasculitis Foundation

P.O. Box 28660

Kansas City, MO 64188

USA

Tel: 8164368211

Fax: 8164368211

Tel: 8002779474

Email: vf@vasculitisfoundation.org

Internet: http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org



American Lung Association

61 Broadway, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10006

USA

Tel: 2123158700

Fax: 2123158870

Tel: 8005864872

Internet: http://www.lungusa.org



NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center

P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105

Tel: (301)592-8573

Fax: (301)251-1223

Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov



NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

6610 Rockledge Drive

MSC 6612

Bethesda, MD 20892-6612

Tel: (301)496-5717

Fax: (301)402-3573

TDD: (800)877-8339

Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/



Vasculitis of the Central Nervous System

vasculitisoftheCNS@yahoogroups.com



Tel: (770)978-5636

Email: SunnyBrook222@aol.com

Internet: http://www.VasculitisoftheCNS@yahoogroups.com



Churg Strauss Syndrome Association

PO Box 671

Southampton, MA 01073

Tel: (413)862-3636

Fax: (413)862-3636

Email: cssa@cssassociation.org

Internet: http://www.cssassociation.org



American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders

3419 Whispering Ways Drive

Richmond, TX 77469

Tel: (713)498-8216

Email: mail@apfed.org

Internet: http://www.apfed.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  10/12/2007

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Last updated:	October 12, 2007