Eosinophilic enteritis with ascites in a patient with overlap syndrome

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis with a Relapsing and Remitting Course with Presence of Autoimmune Antibodies

Background

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is an uncommon disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the digestive tract, which occurs due to an uncertain aetiology. Although autoimmune diseases can later present as EGE, it is unusual for EGE to have positive autoimmune antibodies without the presence of an overt autoimmune disease. Case presentation. We report a 38-year-old previously healthy man who presented with abdominal discomfort and loose stools with pleural and peritoneal effusions progressing over several weeks. His investigations revealed severe eosinophilia in peripheral blood and ascitic fluid, and a laparoscopic full-thickness biopsy from the ileum demonstrated infiltration of eosinophils in all three layers of the intestine. There were no clinical features or investigations suggestive of parasitic disease, other diseases associated with eosinophilia, or autoimmune disease. Further investigations showed a highly positive ANA, positive p-ANCA, but did not meet the criteria to diagnose a specific autoimmune disease. The eosinophilia responded to an elimination diet with gradual resolution of eosinophilia and effusions, and once it reappeared after introduction of a normal diet.

Conclusion

EGE presenting as peripheral blood and ascitic fluid eosinophilia with the presence of pleural and/or peritoneal effusions is uncommon. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis can be associated with autoantibody positivity without any evidence of overt autoimmune disease manifestations. Elimination diet can be used as a potential option to prevent recurrences of EGE.

Causes of eosinophilic ascites – A systematic review

Background . In the last years an uprising interest for a relatively unknown entity, eosinophilic ascites (EA), has been recorded.

Our aim is to investigate the potential causes of EA development, as well as clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and radiologic features, management and outcome in these patients.

Methods . The following research was performed on PubMed (MEDLINE) database using the medical subject headings [Mesh] terms “Ascites” AND “Eosinophils”.

Results . A total of 284 results, dating from 1962 onwards, were found and abstracts were examined. 131 papers were excluded and the remaining 153 publications, consisting in case reports and series of cases, were analyzed.

From 171 patients with EA, 127 subjects (74%) had EGE, 17 (10%) parasitic and fungal infections, 11(7%) Hypereosinophilic syndrome and 16 patients (9%) less common diseases (eosinophilic pancreatitis, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, myelofibrosis, T-cell lymphoma, Churg Strauss Syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Familial paroxysmal polyserositis and Ménétrier’s disease). High eosinophil blood count and IgE levels as well as gastrointestinal symptoms are frequent. The diagnosis is based on ascitic fluid analysis, imaging and endoscopic biopsies. Therapy with corticosteroids results in resolution of eosinophilic ascites in almost all patients.

Conclusion . In most cases, in the absence of allergy, parasitic infections, malignancy, hematological disorders, peritoneal tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune disease, EA develops as a manifestation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders associated with autoimmune connective tissue disease

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical and pathological characteristics of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) associated with autoimmune connective tissue disease (CTD).

METHODS

Systematic literature review.

RESULTS

Twenty cases of CTD associated with EGID were identified. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the main EGID-associated CTD (35%), followed by rheumatoid arthritis (20%), systemic sclerosis or inflammatory myopathies (15%, each), and Sjögren's syndrome, scleromyositis or other overlapping connective tissue disease (5%, each). No patient had a history of atopy. In contrast with classical EGID among which eosinophilic esophagitis is the most frequent type, eosinophilic gastritis and/or enteritis represented 95% of cases. Gastrointestinal symptoms were often unspecific. Peripheral eosinophilia was found in 67% of cases. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy showed abnormal findings in only 40% and 30% of cases, respectively. EGID was confirmed by evidence of digestive eosinophilic infiltration, mainly in mucosal or submucosal layer. In all but one patient, the CTD was diagnosed prior to the occurrence of the EGID. In total, 95% of EGID had a favorable outcome, with corticosteroids being used in almost all cases.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should consider EGID as a possible diagnosis and perform gastrointestinal tract biopsies in patients with CTD presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and unexplained eosinophilia. Conversely, more rarely extra-digestive features during follow-up in patients with EGID may lead to a diagnosis of an associated CTD. More research is needed to better understand the underlying pathophysiological processes leading to eosinophilic gastrointestinal infiltration in patients with CTD.

A Case of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis with Ascites

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disorder of unknown cause characterized by focal or diffuse eosinophilic infiltration of gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach and duodenum. Its clinical presentation depends on which segment of gastrointestinal tract is affected and on the depth of eosinophilic infiltration in the affected segment. We present a case of a 35-year-old male with abdominal distention for six months. Laboratory testing revealed elevated eosinophil count and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. In abdominal tomography, ascites was observed, and eosinophilic infiltration was detected in duodenum biopsy samples, collected during endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal system. Clinical and pathologic findings of the patient responded to steroid dramatically. Even though their comorbidity is rare, eosinophilic gastroenteritis should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with unspecified ascites.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with eosinophilic enteritis: a case report

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder that may present with various symptoms. It may involve the gastrointestinal tract in a variety of ways; some of the most well-known ones are transaminitis, lupus mesenteric vasculitis, lupus enteritis and mesenteric vascular leakage. We describe a case of a patient with SLE who presented with a five-month history of diarrhea caused by eosinophilic enteritis. To the best of our knowledge, there are few cases reported in the literature of patients with SLE who initially present with chronic diarrhea due to eosinophilic enteritis.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old Persian Iranian woman was admitted with a five-month history of diarrhea and abdominal pain. A physical examination showed nothing abnormal. Initially, she had only lymphopenia and mild eosinophilia. No autoimmune or infectious etiology was detected to justify these abnormalities. A thorough evaluation was not helpful in finding the etiology, until she developed a scalp lesion similar to discoid lupus erythematosus. Computed tomography showed small bowel wall thickening. Briefly, she manifested full-blown SLE, and it was revealed that the diarrhea was caused by eosinophilic enteritis.

Conclusion

Considering SLE in a patient who presents with chronic diarrhea and lymphopenia may be helpful in earlier diagnosis and therapy. This is an original case report of interest to physicians who practice internal medicine, family medicine and gastroenterology.