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Churg Strauss Syndrome

Abstract

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NORD is very grateful to John H. Stone, MD, MPH, Director, Clinical Rheumatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, for assistance in the preparation of this report.

Synonyms of Churg Strauss Syndrome

allergic angiitis and granulomatosis
allergic granulomatosis
allergic granulomatosis and angiitis
Churg-Strauss vasculitis
CSS

Disorder Subdivisions

No subdivisions found.

General Discussion

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare disorder that may affect multiple organ systems, especially the lungs. The disorder is characterized by the abnormal clustering of certain white blood cells (hypereosinophilia) in the blood and tissues, inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), and the development of inflammatory nodular lesions called granulomas (granulomatosis). Most affected individuals 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 as little as six months or as much as two decades. 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 vary depending upon the specific organ systems affected. The nerves outside the central nervous system (peripheral nerves), kidneys, or gastrointestinal tract are often 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 functioning of the immune system plays an important role.

Organizations related to Churg Strauss Syndrome

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
- 22100 Gratiot Ave.
- Eastpointe, MI 48021
- Phone #: 586-776-3900
- 800 #: 800-598-4668
- e-mail: aarda@aarda.org
- Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
- PO Box 29545
- Atlanta, GA 30359
- Phone #: 713-493-7749
- 800 #: N/A
- e-mail: N/A
- Home page: http://www.apfed.org
Churg Strauss Syndrome Association
- PO Box 671
- Southampton, MA 01073-0671
- Phone #: 413-862-3636
- 800 #: N/A
- e-mail: support@CSSAssociation.org
- Home page: http://www.cssassociation.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
- PO Box 8126
- Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
- Phone #: 301-251-4925
- 800 #: 888-205-2311
- e-mail: N/A
- Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
Madisons Foundation
- PO Box 241956
- Los Angeles, CA 90024
- Phone #: 310-264-0826
- 800 #: N/A
- e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
- Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
- P.O. Box 30105
- Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
- Phone #: 301-592-8573
- 800 #: --
- e-mail: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
- Home page: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Office of Communications and Government Relations
- 6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
- Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
- Phone #: 301-496-5717
- 800 #: 866-284-4107
- e-mail: ocpostoffice@niaid.nih.gov
- Home page: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
Vasculitis Foundation
- PO Box 28660
- Kansas City, MO 64188 USA
- Phone #: 816-436-8211
- 800 #: 800-277-9474
- e-mail: vf@vasculitisfoundation.org
- Home page: http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org

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