Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
The term Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon refers to the presence of a eosinophilic refractile material that surrounds some fungi [fungal infection], helminths [helminth disease] and bacteria [bacterial infection]. It has also been observed around silk sutures. It is associated with a prominent infiltration of eosinophils and represents a localized antigen-antibody reaction in a sensitized host. The Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon was first described by Splendore (1908), who thought they represented a new species of Sporotrichum (Sporotrichum asteroides)[sporotrichosis]. Later Hoeppli (1932) observed the same reaction aound ova of Schistosoma [schistosomiasis] in rabbits.