Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases--clinically diverse and histopathologically confounding

Semin Immunopathol. 2012 Sep;34(5):715-31. doi: 10.1007/s00281-012-0324-x. Epub 2012 Jul 29.

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are a group of chronic diseases characterized by a range of symptoms caused by eosinophilic inflammation of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Other causes for eosinophilia need to be ruled out prior to making the diagnosis of EGIDs. The most common form of EGID is eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an antigen-driven disease that afflicts children and adults and has been identified across the world. Histological features include dense eosinophilia of the esophageal mucosa, eosinophil degranulation, eosinophil microabscess formation, and other features of epithelial inflammation including basal zone hyperplasia and rete pege elongation. Treatments include dietary exclusions and topical corticosteroids.

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / immunology
  • Abscess / pathology*
  • Abscess / therapy
  • Administration, Topical
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Cell Degranulation*
  • Enteritis / immunology
  • Enteritis / pathology*
  • Enteritis / therapy
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Eosinophilia / pathology*
  • Eosinophilia / therapy
  • Gastritis / immunology
  • Gastritis / pathology*
  • Gastritis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Supplementary concepts

  • Eosinophilic enteropathy