Eosinophilic enteritis

Eosinophilic jejunitis presenting as acute abdomen with eosinophilic ascites

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an inflammatory bowel condition characterised by eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach and small bowel. Smoking and certain foods can trigger EG.A man in his 40s presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. He had rebound tenderness and guarding on his initial abdominal examination. A subsequent CT scan showed jejunal wall thickening and ascitesHe had similar attacks of abdominal pain and was misdiagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever and Crohn's disease.Paracentesis revealed eosinophilic ascites. No mucosal abnormality was detected on gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. A double-balloon enteroscopy revealed mucosal inflammation in the jejunum and a biopsy was taken. In this biopsy, eosinophilic jejunitis was detected. He was given corticosteroids and montelukast and his condition was resolved promptly. After discharge, he had attacks of EG until he quit smoking. After quitting smoking, he had an attack once in the last 2 years after consuming eggplant.

A Case Report of Post-COVID-19 Eosinophilic Enteritis: An Uncommon Diagnosis in an Adult

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), also known as eosinophilic enteritis (EoN), are both parts of the eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) and share pathogenic similarities. Over the past two decades, the incidence and prevalence of EoE have rapidly increased, especially in Western countries, while EGE remains rare. Unlike EoE, no standard treatment strategies or guidelines have been established due to the extreme rarity of EGE, especially in Western countries. Here, we report a rare case of EoN in a 35-year-old female resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

The impact of high-IgE levels on metabolome and microbiome in experimental allergic enteritis

BACKGROUND

The pathological mechanism of the gastrointestinal forms of food allergies is less understood in comparison to other clinical phenotypes, such as asthma and anaphylaxis Importantly, high-IgE levels are a poor prognostic factor in gastrointestinal allergies.

METHODS

This study investigated how high-IgE levels influence the development of intestinal inflammation and the metabolome in allergic enteritis (AE), using IgE knock-in (IgEki) mice expressing high levels of IgE. In addition, correlation of the altered metabolome with gut microbiome was analysed.

RESULTS

Ovalbumin-sensitized and egg-white diet-fed (OVA/EW) BALB/c WT mice developed moderate AE, whereas OVA/EW IgEki mice induced more aggravated intestinal inflammation with enhanced eosinophil accumulation. Untargeted metabolomics detected the increased levels of N-tau-methylhistamine and 2,3-butanediol, and reduced levels of butyric acid in faeces and/or sera of OVA/EW IgEki mice, which was accompanied with reduced Clostridium and increased Lactobacillus at the genus level. Non-sensitized and egg-white diet-fed (NC/EW) WT mice did not exhibit any signs of AE, whereas NC/EW IgEki mice developed marginal degrees of AE. Compared to NC/EW WT mice, enhanced levels of lysophospholipids, sphinganine and sphingosine were detected in serum and faecal samples of NC/EW IgEki mice. In addition, several associations of altered metabolome with gut microbiome-for example Akkermansia with lysophosphatidylserine-were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that high-IgE levels alter intestinal and systemic levels of endogenous and microbiota-associated metabolites in experimental AE. This study contributes to deepening the knowledge of molecular mechanisms for the development of AE and provides clues to advance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of allergic diseases.

The Dual Lens of Endoscopy and Histology in the Diagnosis and Management of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders-A Comprehensive Review

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs) are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eosinophil accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract. Among these EGIDs, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is the most well documented, while less is known about Eosinophilic Gastritis (EoG), Eosinophilic Enteritis (EoN), and Eosinophilic Colitis (EoC). The role of endoscopy in EGIDs is pivotal, with applications in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic intervention. In EoE, the endoscopic reference score (EREFS) has been shown to be accurate in raising diagnostic suspicion and effective in monitoring therapeutic responses. Additionally, endoscopic dilation is the first-line treatment for esophageal strictures. For EoG and EoN, while the literature is more limited, common endoscopic findings include erythema, nodules, and ulcerations. Histology remains the gold standard for diagnosing EGIDs, as it quantifies eosinophilic infiltration. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the histological understanding of EoE, leading to the development of diagnostic scores and the identification of specific microscopic features associated with the disease. However, for EoG, EoN, and EoC, precise eosinophil count thresholds for diagnosis have not yet been established. This review aims to elucidate the role of endoscopy and histology in the diagnosis and management of the three main EGIDs and to analyze their strengths and limitations, their interconnection, and future research directions.

Duodenal stenosis, an unusual presentation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis: a case report

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) are rare, chronic inflammatory disorders characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms and clinical presentations vary depending on the site and layer of the gastrointestinal wall infiltrated by eosinophils. Gastrointestinal obstruction is a serious, though uncommon, presentation. Management can be extremely challenging because of the rarity of the condition and the lack of robust scientific evidence. Current treatment approaches for EGIDs mainly focus on elimination diets, proton pump inhibitors and corticosteroids, which present high refractoriness rates. Novel targeted therapies are being investigated but not routinely used. Surgery should be avoided as far as possible; however, it may be the only option in gastrointestinal obstruction when long-term remission cannot be attained by any medical strategy. Herein we report the case of an adolescent boy affected by an eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease with progressive duodenal stenosis, refractory to medical therapy, who successfully benefitted from surgical management. He presented with a one-year history of gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms with feeding intolerance. After the diagnostic workup, he was diagnosed with an eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (esophagitis and enteritis) with a duodenal involvement causing a progressive duodenal stenosis. Due to refractoriness to the conventional medical therapies and the consequent high impact on his quality of life, related both to the need for enteral nutrition and repeated hospitalizations, we decided to perform a gastro-jejunum anastomosis, which allowed us to obtain a clinical and endoscopic long-term remission. The early discussion of the case and the involvement of all experienced specialists, pediatricians and pediatric surgeons is essential.

Eosinophilic Enteritis Flare-Up Mimicking Acute Gastroenteritis: A Rare Case

Eosinophilic enteritis is a rare subset of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. It typically presents with chronic symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and ascites. However, the clinical presentation can vary due to acute flare-ups. Here, we present a case of eosinophilic enteritis in a young female patient with intractable vomiting and diarrhea, mimicking acute gastroenteritis in the absence of other gastrointestinal symptoms. This case illustrates the challenge of diagnosing acute and diverse presentations of eosinophilic enteritis. It also highlights the importance of promptly treating and confirming the diagnosis through urgent tissue histopathology in adolescents with unexplained vomiting and diarrhea.

Allergen-free extracts from birch, ragweed, and hazel pollen activate human and guinea-pig submucous and spinal sensory neurons

BACKGROUND

Non-allergenic, low molecular weight components of pollen grains are suspected to trigger changes in gut functions, sometimes leading to inflammatory conditions. Based on extensive neuroimmune communication in the gut wall, we investigated the effects of aqueous pollen extracts (APE) on enteric and spinal sensory neurons.

METHODS

Using Ca²⁺ and fast potentiometric imaging, we recorded the responses of guinea-pig and human submucous and guinea-pig dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to microejection of low (<3 kDa) and high (≥3 kDa) molecular weight APEs of birch, ragweed, and hazel. Histamine was determined pharmacologically and by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

KEY RESULTS

Birch APE_<3kDa evoked strong [Ca⁺² ]_i signals in the vast majority of guinea-pig DRG neurons, and in guinea-pig and human enteric neurons. The effect of birch APE_≥3kDa was much weaker. Fast neuroimaging in human enteric neurons revealed an instantaneous spike discharge after microejection of birch, ragweed, and hazel APE_<3kDa [median (interquartile range) at 7.0 Hz (6.2/9.8), 5.7 Hz (4.4/7.1), and 8.4 Hz (4.3/12.5), respectively]. The percentage of responding neurons per ganglion were similar [birch 40.0% (33.3/100.0), ragweed 50.8% (34.4/85.6), and hazel 83.3% (57.1/100.0)]. A mixture of histamine receptor (H1-H3) blockers significantly reduced nerve activation evoked by birch and ragweed APEs_<3kDa , but was ineffective on hazel. Histamine concentrations in ragweed, birch and hazel APE's < 3 kDa were 0.764, 0.047, and 0.013 μM, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Allergen-free APEs from birch, ragweed, and hazel evoked strong nerve activation. Altered nerve-immune signaling as a result of severe pollen exposure could be a pathophysiological feature of allergic and non-allergic gut inflammation.

Proposed refined diagnostic criteria and classification of eosinophil disorders and related syndromes

Eosinophilia and eosinophil activation are recurrent features in various reactive states and certain hematologic malignancies. In patients with hypereosinophilia (HE), HE-induced organ damage is often encountered and may lead to the diagnosis of a hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). A number of known mechanisms and etiologies contribute to the development of HE and HES. Based on these etiologies and the origin of eosinophils, HE and HES are divided into primary forms where eosinophils are clonal cells, reactive forms where an underlying reactive or neoplastic condition is detected and eosinophils are considered to be "non-clonal" cells, and idiopathic HE and HES in which neither a clonal nor a reactive underlying pathology is detected. Since 2012, this classification and the related criteria have been widely accepted and regarded as standard. However, during the past few years, new developments in the field and an increasing number of markers and targets have created a need to update these criteria and the classification of HE and HES. To address this challenge, a Working Conference on eosinophil disorders was organized in 2021. In this conference, a panel of experts representing the relevant fields, including allergy, dermatology, hematology, immunology, laboratory medicine, and pathology, met and discussed new markers and concepts as well as refinements in definitions, criteria and classifications of HE and HES. The outcomes of this conference are presented in this article and should assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with HE and HES in daily practice and in the preparation and conduct of clinical trials.

Non-oesophageal eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are undersuspected clinically and underdiagnosed pathologically

BACKGROUND

Non-oesophageal gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases (EGID) are considered rare. However, low disease awareness among clinicians and pathologists may contribute to underdiagnosis.

AIMS

To determine how frequently requests to evaluate for EGID accompany gastrointestinal biopsies and in what proportion of suspected cases pathologists address these requests, either confirming or refuting the clinical suspicion.

METHODS

All cases in which biopsy requisitions included an explicit suspicion of EGID were extracted from a large clinicopathologic database and manually reviewed for accuracy. The diagnoses for these cases were then analysed to determine whether clinical suspicions were confirmed, refuted or ignored.

RESULTS

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) was suspected in 12.8% of 903,516 patients with biopsies and confirmed in 14.9% of them. A suspicion of eosinophilic gastritis accompanied <0.001% of 1,438,206 gastric biopsy sets and was confirmed in 11.5% of them; eosinophilic duodenitis was suspected in 0.02% of ~675,519 patients with duodenal biopsies and confirmed in 8.0% of these; eosinophilic colitis was mentioned in <0.001% of 2,504,485 patients with colonic biopsies and confirmed in 0.1% of them. Less than 3% of endoscopists mentioned non-oesophageal EGID in the requisition, while most expressed a clinical suspicion of Barrett oesophagus, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, celiac disease and microscopic colitis (in 21.2%, 49.2%, 1% and 6.4% of the cases, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Gastroenterologists and pathologists commonly address and diagnose EoE. In contrast, both clinical suspicion and diagnosis of non-oesophageal EGID are extremely rare. Increased clinical awareness might result in a better understanding of the epidemiology and improved diagnosis of these still elusive conditions.

A case report about eosinophilic enteritis presenting as abdominal pain

RATIONALE

Eosinophilic enteritis (EE) is an immune-mediated antigen-driven disease that may lead to clinical symptoms and organ dysfunction and characterized by the presence of extensive eosinophilic infiltrates on histopathological examination of the intestinal mucosa.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 29-year-old man presented with a half-month duration of paroxysmal upper abdominal pain that gradually evolved into continuous pain accompanied by the urge to defecate.

DIAGNOSES

Pathological findings of enteroscopy showed acute and chronic inflammation accompanied by eosinophilic infiltration (>20/ high-power field).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was initially treated with IV infusion of dexamethasone 10 mg per day for 3 days, which was reduced to 7.5 mg per day for 2 days once pain relief was achieved. Upon discharged from our hospital, the patient was prescribed with oral prednisolone 30 mg per day, which was reduced by 5 mg per week for 6 weeks until discontinuation.

OUTCOMES

The patient was relieved from the pain after receiving dexamethasone for 5 days, and he was maintained on oral prednisolone 30 mg per day upon discharge from the hospital. On the day of discharge, the eosinophil count and derived ratios were normal.

LESSONS

In patients with EE, the dynamic changes of the eosinophil count should be monitored. Clinicians must be aware that not all patients with EE have a history of allergies. In the management and treatment of the disease, multisite biopsies should be carried out if EE is suspected, and EE is responsive to steroid therapy.

Acute Eosinophilic Appendicitis: A Rare Cause of Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Acute eosinophilic appendicitis (AEA) is defined as eosinophilic infiltration of the muscular layer of the appendix instead of neutrophils. The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of acute suppurative appendicitis. On the other hand, it can present as a lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This paper reports a case of an elderly man with an appendiceal hemorrhage due to AEA. The diagnosis was made by colonoscopy during an evaluation of hematochezia. The patient underwent a laparoscopic partial cecectomy. The histology findings revealed ulceration and marked eosinophilic infiltration of the muscularis propria of the appendix with accompanying edema. Although appendiceal hemorrhage due to AEA is extremely rare, clinicians should consider it in a differential diagnosis.

Eosinophilic ascites as an uncommon presentation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is defined by the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, with an abnormal eosinophilic infiltrate of the intestine wall and exclusion of other causes of secondary eosinophilia. EGE has three clinical presentations, depending on the depth of eosinophilic infiltration of the bowel wall. It individualizes into three types, namely mucosal, muscular, and subserosal. Eosinophilic ascites, which is caused by edema and eosinophilic inflammation of the serosal layer of the small bowel wall, is the most uncommon presentation of EGE.

CASE SUMMARY

A 30-year-old Egyptian woman presented with pain in the epigastrium and diffuse abdominal distension. Past medical history comprised allergy to iron injections (for iron deficiency anemia). Clinical examination showed moderate abdominal distention (palpation) and shifting dullness (percussion) suggestive of moderate ascites; mild right pleural effusion was also suspected, but findings were otherwise unremarkable. Abdominal and pelvic examinations by ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed moderate ascites, mild right pleural effusion, and diffuse thickening of the antrum and small bowel loops. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed mild diffuse hyperemia of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, with no relevant findings in the histopathology of biopsy specimens taken from these sites. Laboratory results showed eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and marked increase of eosinophils in the ascitic fluid. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in normalization of the laboratory test results, and the ascites resolved within a week of initiation of therapy.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilic ascites, characterized by increased eosinophils in peripheral blood and ascitic fluid, showed dramatic response to steroid therapy.

Acute eosinophilic appendicitis after generalized skin reaction due to unknown cause in a child: Case report and literature review

Acute eosinophilic appendicitis (AEA) is a rare variant of appendix inflammation possibly linked to allergy. Histopathological evidence of eosinophilic infiltration of the muscularis propria and edema separating the muscle fibers is the gold standard for the diagnosis. Here, we report a case of a young boy with AEA following a skin reaction of possible allergic origin. A 6-year-old male was presented to the emergency department with a two-day diffuse abdominal pain and tenderness in the right lower quadrant. A possible allergic reaction had occurred five days before as a pruritic rash. There was no history of allergy and the stool examination was negative for parasites. The initial diagnosis was acute appendicitis, and appendectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was AEA. Further studies on the proper diagnostic and treatment approach of AEA before surgery are required.

Acute eosinophilic appendicitis simulating uncomplicated appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal emergencies worldwide. Uncomplicated appendicitis (UA), which does not involve perforation or peritonitis, has recently been treated with antibiotic therapy. Here, we report a case of acute eosinophilic appendicitis (AEA) that simulated UA and did not respond to antibiotic therapy. A 20-year-old Japanese woman emergently presented with the chief complaint of pain at the right iliac fossa. CT showed only swelling of the appendix. She was diagnosed with UA, and she received antibiotic therapy initially. However, the treatment was not effective and appendectomy was performed. The final histopathological diagnosis was AEA. The findings of this case suggest that AEA is likely to be diagnosed as UA. As AEA can simulate UA, the possibility of AEA should be considered when antibiotic therapy is not effective.

Diagnosis, Natural History and Treatment of Eosinophilic Enteritis: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review recent findings regarding eosinophilic enteritis, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, natural history, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

A 2017 population-based study using a US healthcare system database identified 1820 patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic enteritis among 35,826,830 individuals. The majority of patients with eosinophilic enteritis in this study were women (57.7%), Caucasian (77.5%), and adults (> 18 years of age) (83.5%). The overall prevalence of eosinophilic enteritis was estimated at 5.1/100,000 persons. Eosinophilic enteritis, also known as eosinophilic gastroenteritis, is a rare primary eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of an intense eosinophilic infiltrate on histopathological examination of the intestinal mucosa. The etiology of eosinophilic enteritis remains unknown. However, there is evidence to support the role of allergens in the pathogenesis of this disorder, as children and adults with EGIDs often have positive skin testing to food allergens and a family history of allergic diseases. Recent studies unraveling the role of IgE-mediated but also delayed Th2-type responses have provided insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. Eosinophilic enteritis causes a wide array of gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating, or ascites, and its diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical likelihood, given the nonspecific clinical presentation and physical examination findings. Oral corticosteroids are considered to be the mainstay of treatment and are generally used for a short period with good response rates. Antihistamine drugs and sodium cromoglycate have also been used to treat patients with eosinophilic enteritis. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the potential benefit of biological therapies targeting the eosinophilic pathway such as mepolizumab, an anti-IL5 antibody, or omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Eosinophilic enteritis is generally considered to be a benign disease without relapse, but up to 50% of patients may present a more complex natural history characterized by unpredictable relapses and a chronic course.

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase attenuates eosinophil recruitment and food allergen-induced gastrointestinal inflammation

Prevalence of food allergies in the United States is on the rise. Eosinophils are recruited to the intestinal mucosa in substantial numbers in food allergen-driven gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is known to play a pro-inflammatory role during inflammation by metabolizing anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to pro-inflammatory diols. We investigated the role of sEH in a murine model of food allergy and evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of a highly selective sEH inhibitor (trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-ureido]-cyclohexyloxy}-benzoic acid [t-TUCB]). Oral exposure of mice on a soy-free diet to soy protein isolate (SPI) induced expression of intestinal sEH, increased circulating total and antigen-specific IgE levels, and caused significant weight loss. Administration of t-TUCB to SPI-challenged mice inhibited IgE levels and prevented SPI-induced weight loss. Additionally, SPI-induced GI inflammation characterized by increased recruitment of eosinophils and mast cells, elevated eotaxin 1 levels, mucus hypersecretion, and decreased epithelial junction protein expression. In t-TUCB-treated mice, eosinophilia, mast cell recruitment, and mucus secretion were significantly lower than in untreated mice and SPI-induced loss of junction protein expression was prevented to variable levels. sEH expression in eosinophils was induced by inflammatory mediators TNF-α and eotaxin-1. Treatment of eosinophils with t-TUCB significantly inhibited eosinophil migration, an effect that was mirrored by treatment with 11,12-EET, by inhibiting intracellular signaling events such as ERK (1/2) activation and eotaxin-1-induced calcium flux. These studies suggest that sEH induced by soy proteins promotes allergic responses and GI inflammation including eosinophilia and that inhibition of sEH can attenuate these responses.

Eosinophilic ascites: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the dominant layer of infiltration it is classified into three types namely, mucosal, muscularis and subserosal. The most uncommon variant is the subserosal type characterized by primarily subserosal disease, eosinophilic ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia. The clinical features are non-specific with history of atopic predisposition and allergy. Endoscopic biopsy is frequently non-diagnostic due to an uninvolved gastrointestinal mucosa rendering its diagnosis a challenge. The mainstay of diagnosis is peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophil-rich ascitic fluid on diagnostic paracentesis. Oral steroid therapy is usually the first line of treatment with dramatic response. Due to a propensity for relapse, steroid-sparing therapy should be considered for relapses of EGE. We report a case of subserosal EGE with diagnostic clinical features and treatment response and review the current strategy in the management of eosinophilic ascites.

Capsule Endoscopy for Ileitis with Potential Involvement of Other Sections of the Small Bowel

Ileitis is defined as inflammation of the ileum. This condition includes ulcers, aphthous ulcers, erosions, and nodular or erythematous mucosa. Various etiologies are associated with ileitis. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, infectious conditions, neoplasms, infiltrative disorders, vasculitides, spondyloarthritis, endometriosis, and radiation therapy-related conditions involve the ileum. However, the differential diagnosis of terminal ileitis can be difficult in many cases. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) has become a useful tool for the diagnosis of a variety of small bowel lesions. This review describes each of the various conditions associated with ileitis and the diagnostic value of VCE for ileitis, which may help identify and evaluate these conditions in clinical practice. Based on the information provided by VCE, a definitive diagnosis could be made using the patients' medical history, clinical course, laboratory and ileocolonoscopic findings, radiologic imaging findings, and histologic findings.

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.

Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Outcomes of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Children

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical features and outcome of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) in children.

METHODS

Our study enrolled 24 children who were diagnosed with EGE from 1993 to 2014 at the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The patients' clinical manifestations, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed from the medical records.

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis was 5.3 years. Most patients had gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea (54.2%) and abdominal pain (45.8%). Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 91.7% of the patients. Thirteen patients (54.2%) showed anemia, and 15 patients (62.5%) had hypoalbuminemia. EGE was classified as mucosal, subserosal, or muscular in 75.0%, 20.8%, and 4.2% of cases, respectively. Three patients showed gastroduodenal ulcers upon endoscopic analysis. A history of allergy was reported in 13 patients, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Five patients (20.8%) improved with food restrictions. Among the 19 patients treated with steroids, 11 (57.9%) discontinued steroid treatment without subsequent relapse, 4 (21.1%) relapsed after ceasing steroid treatment, and 4 (21.1%) showed no response to steroids. Two patients who were resistant to steroids underwent therapeutic surgery. The presence of gastroduodenal ulcers was significantly associated with relapse and steroid resistance.

CONCLUSION

A high suspicion of EGE is warranted when children have nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia. Most patients improved with food restrictions or steroid treatment, although one-third of patients showed a relapse or steroid resistance.