A case of hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic cough successfully treated with imatinib

Chronic cough is caused by a wide variety of disease conditions, including asthma, rhino‐sinusitis and gastro‐oesophageal reflux. We describe the case of a 42‐year‐old man with hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic dry cough. The cough did not respond to inhaled corticosteroid or leucotriene receptor antagonists. Hepatosplenomegaly was noted and the patient became anaemic and thrombocytopenic. He was refractory to treatment with hydroxyurea and interferon‐α. Administration of imatinib resulted in complete resolution of eosinophilia and cough, without the use of anti‐asthma drugs. Analysis of RNA from this patient demonstrated expression of the Fip1‐like 1/platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐alpha ( FIP1L1–PDGFRA ) fusion gene. The myeloproliferative variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome may cause chronic intractable cough, and a trial of imatinib treatment may be warranted.