Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is a hallmark association of Churg-Strauss syndrome?

1. Asthma with bronchiectasis

2. Asthma with eosinophilia and vasculitis

3. Severe allergic reactions

4. Asthma without eosinophilia

The correct answer is: Asthma with eosinophilia and vasculitis

Churg-Strauss syndrome, now termed eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is characterized by a triad of conditions that typically includes asthma, eosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized blood vessels. The hallmark of this syndrome is the presence of asthma, which is often previously diagnosed, along with a significant increase in eosinophil counts in the blood or tissues. Furthermore, the vasculitis aspect leads to a range of symptoms depending on the affected organ systems, such as skin, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. The pathophysiology of Churg-Strauss involves an abnormal immune response that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, often accompanied by asthma exacerbations and eosinophilic infiltration in various tissues, further confirming the diagnosis. This particular association of asthma with both eosinophilia and vasculitis is what distinctly characterizes Churg-Strauss syndrome and differentiates it from other conditions that may present with asthma or eosinophilia alone without the systemic involvement seen in this syndrome.