A 43-year-old woman presented with an 8-month history of progressively worsening nonproductive cough. She had received antibiotics for presumed bronchitis, but her coughing episodes did not subside. Examination Her vital signs were normal. Pulmonary examination revealed wheezing in both lungs. WBCs and an absolute number of eosinophils were within the range. Spirometry results were normal, but pulmonary function tests were suggestive of an obstructive defect.
Bronchoscopy revealed diffuse nodules in the tracheobronchial mucosa (Cover image). Biopsy of nodules revealed eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial mucosa. But there was no evidence of tumor, infection, vasculitis, or granulomas. What is the most likely cause of nonproductive cough in this woman? *This case is from the Editorial Team of Docplexus and is meant for educational purposes only. Source: NEJM
