Do eosinophil numbers differentiate eosinophilic esophagitis from gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases: The Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are delayed-type chronic allergic disorders that show gastrointestinal eosinophil dense infiltration, with an exaggerated Th2-type immune reaction considered to be an important mechanism. These diseases can be roughly divided into two types: eosinophilic esophagitis, mainly found in young and middle-aged men, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which is found in both genders equally. A diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis is suspected when characteristic endoscopic findings, including longitudinal furrows and rings, are noted. However, characteristic endoscopic abnormalities are rarely found in cases with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, so multiple biopsy sampling from the apparently normal gastrointestinal mucosal surface is important for making an accurate diagnosis. The administration of systemic glucocorticoid is the standard treatment for eosinophilic gastroenteritis, while acid inhibitors and topical glucocorticoid swallowing therapy are effective for eosinophilic esophagitis. Anti-cytokine therapies for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are currently under development.

Application of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Histology Scoring System Grade Scores in Patients at British Columbia Children's Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Histologic diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) involves peak eosinophil counts (PEC) being greater than 15 per high power field. The EoE Histology Scoring System (EoEHSS) was developed to comprehensively evaluate biopsies to better predict symptom and endoscopy response; we aimed to validate the EoEHSS in our provincial registry, where EoEHSS had not been employed.

METHODS

We reviewed 186 esophageal biopsies from 16 patients at diagnosis and follow-up. Statistical analyses were conducted to quantify how grade scores correlate with active EoE status and PEC counts, and each feature's ability to predict active disease.

RESULTS

Nearly all EoEHSS variables were associated with active EoE and high PEC, with basal zone hyperplasia, eosinophil abscesses, and surface epithelial alteration being most predictive in identifying active EoE.

CONCLUSIONS

We validated and demonstrated each EoEHSS variable's strength in tracking traditional PEC counts, resulting in its adoption as a standard reporting element for our research registry.

Mucosal color changes on narrow-band imaging in esophageal eosinophilic infiltration

This study aimed to examine the range of beige colored mucosa (BCM) in patients with esophageal eosinophilic infiltration (EEI) using narrow-band imaging (NBI). In this retrospective study, EEI was confirmed histologically in 12 consecutive patients from January 2014 to December 2017. The BCM tone on NBI without magnifying endoscopy was evaluated, and red, green, and blue (RGB) values of BCM and normal mucosa were measured. BCM was macroscopically classified into 2 groups (bright and dark) using cluster analysis. Histopathological analysis was performed in 1 patient who underwent biopsy for both normal mucosa and BCM. All 12 patients presented with BCM. Endoscopy revealed fixed rings, longitudinal furrows, mucosal edema, and exudate in 3, 12, 10, and 8 patients, respectively. Strictures were absent. Five patients had findings suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the cluster analysis, 5 and 7 patients had bright and dark BCM, respectively. Consistent results were noted when we categorized patients according to their macroscopic characteristics. RGB values of the BCM and normal mucosa were measured-normal mucosa: R: 99.8 ± 16.5, G: 121.7 ± 23.1, and B: 93.4 ± 19.2; BCM: R: 152.0 ± 31.3, G: 123.9 ± 35.0, and B: 97.5 ± 29.5. BCM had significantly higher R values than normal mucosa (P = .0001). All parameters were significantly lower in the dark BCM group than in the bright BCM group (P < .001). Histopathological analysis revealed expansion of the epithelial intercellular space, eosinophilic infiltration, and basal cell hyperplasia at the BCM sites. BCM was observed in all cases of EEI. RGB values differed between bright and dark BCM. Assessing BCM tone using NBI is a potentially novel diagnostic method for EEI.

Similarity and difference in the characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis between Western countries and Japan

Over the past two decades, the incidence and prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have risen rapidly, especially in Western countries, with cases in Japan also showing a gradual increase in recent years. However, similarities and differences regarding the characteristics of EoE between Western countries and Japan remain to be clearly elucidated. The current clinical guidelines for diagnosis include symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and dense eosinophilic infiltration in the esophageal epithelium. Most affected patients in Japan are diagnosed incidentally during a medical health check-up and asymptomatic cases with typical endoscopic findings suggestive of EoE are frequently encountered. Clinical characteristics of EoE in Japanese are similar to those seen in Western populations. The predominant symptom is dysphagia, with food impaction extremely rare in Japanese cases. Linear furrows are the most frequently reported characteristic endoscopic finding, while an esophageal stricture or narrow caliber is rarely observed. Treatment strategies for EoE include drugs, dietary restrictions, and endoscopic dilation when the disease is advanced with stricture formation. Although single therapy using a proton-pump inhibitor has been shown to achieve symptomatic and histological response in the majority of patients in Japan, no prospective randomized control studies that evaluated drug or elimination diet therapy have been presented. Overall, EoE has similar clinical characteristics between Japanese and Western populations, while disease severity seems to be milder in Japan. Additional studies are necessary to determine genetic factors, natural history of the disease, and treatment efficacy of drugs and elimination diet as compared to Western populations.

Novel and rare forms of oesophagitis

Our understanding of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including those of the oesophagus, has expanded in recent years. Once attributed almost exclusively to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or infection, it is now recognised that oesophagitis may occur due to a variety of distinct disease entities. Many of these conditions cause debilitating and persistent symptoms, impacting upon quality of life and necessitating ongoing surveillance and treatment. This review will consider the clinical, endoscopic and histopathological features of these novel and rare forms of oesophagitis.

Utility of Direct Fast Scarlet Staining in the Histopathological Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Short Report

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an atopic disease of the esophagus, has become increasingly recognized over the last 15 years. The epidemiology of EoE has now been reported from many countries around the world. While the clinical diagnosis of this disease depends on the patient’s clinical manifestations, the final diagnosis should be made based on the histopathological examination of esophageal mucosal biopsies. In the diagnosis of EoE, to facilitate the appropriate treatment of patients, it is extremely important to precisely recognize the presence of eosinophils in biopsy specimens of the esophageal mucosa. If eosinophils are present, EoE patients should be referred to an allergist for appropriate management with dietary modification, pharmacological agents (including corticosteroids), and/or mechanical dilation of the esophagus. We herein present and recommend the use of direct fast scarlet staining for the easy and precise recognition of eosinophils in biopsy specimens of the esophageal mucosa, a technique that has been routinely used in our laboratory.

The role of preoperative upper endoscopy in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and, in adults, with a development of Barrett's esophagus. Adults with Barrett's esophagus identified at baseline before bariatric operation are generally advised against VSG operations. The role of preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in adolescents preparing for bariatric surgery is not clearly defined.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to report the frequency of abnormalities identified on EGD performed at baseline in adolescents undergoing VSG for severe obesity.

SETTING

Free-standing academic children's hospital. United States.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted to describe findings of EGD performed just before VSG in a cohort of 40 adolescents and young adults (age range 14-25 yr) immediately before VSG. Review of findings from gross and histopathological evaluation of the esophagus, resected stomach, and duodenum was performed.

RESULTS

Five individuals reported preoperative symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Anatomic findings at EGD were normal in 98% of individuals. Histopathology of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum was normal in 88%, 70%, and 95%, respectively. Abnormal findings of gastritis (18%), esophagitis (13%), and/or Helicobacter pylori (10%) infection were most common. Those with evidence of H. pylori in gastric resection specimens were treated appropriately with eradication therapy postoperatively. With the exception of 2 patients with incidentally detected esophageal mucosal eosinophilia, EGD findings did not lead to additional changes in medical or surgical management. There were no complications of the EGD procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine EGD at the time of VSG was safe but resulted in low yield of abnormal findings requiring a change in clinical management.

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases - Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) are divided into eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), depending on the involved gastrointestinal tract, though both are considered to be chronic Th2-type allergic diseases caused by food or environmental allergens. In development of EoE, refluxed gastric acid may also have an important role. For diagnosis of EGIDs, the presence of symptoms possibly originating from the involved gastrointestinal tract and dense eosinophil infiltration are important factors. Imaging studies, including endoscopy and computed tomography, along with histopathological examinations of biopsy specimens are useful for diagnosis, whereas laboratory testing of blood, urine, and stool samples has limited value. Three useful options for treating EoE patients are acid inhibitors, swallowed topical corticosteroids, and an elimination diet, while systemic administration of glucocorticoids is the standard treatment of EGE, though information is limited. Since the prevalence of EGIDs is increasing in Western countries as well as Japan, development of effective treatments based on sufficient evidence is becoming an urgent need.

Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children: A Serbian Single-Center Experience from 2010 to 2017

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, and pathohistological characteristics of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in Serbia.

METHOD

All children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with EoE in the period between 2010 and 2017 at the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, were retrospectively enrolled.

RESULTS

EoE was diagnosed in 35 children (12.45 ± 3.77 years) with a male predominance (74%). The median incidence rate was estimated to be 0.85 per 100,000 children per year with the highest rate estimated at 3.17 per 100,000 children in 2017. Dysphagia (71.4%) and food impaction (40%) were dominant symptoms. Inflammatory endoscopic changes were found in 74.3% and fibrostenotic changes in 62.9% of the children. The esophageal biopsy rate was low (6.8%), especially in children with reflux and nonspecific symptoms. Subepithelial fibrosis was found in only 20% of the patients. Since 2016, the number of biopsy samples has increased, but the sampling rate of lamina propria is still low (<50%). The correlation between the number of biopsies and lamina propria acquisition was strong (rs = 0.773, p < 0.05). In 2 immunocompetent adolescents, EoE was diagnosed after successful treatment of infectious esophagitis.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in the incidence of EoE in Serbian children is evident. The biopsy rate in children with nonspecific and reflux symptoms should be increased, as well as the number of biopsy samples for the detection of subepithelial fibrosis. In immunocompetent children with infectious esophagitis, EoE should be suspected and endoscopy may be recommended after successful treatment of infection.

The comparative analyses of different diagnostic approaches in detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the different diagnostic approaches in detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children presented with symptoms suggesting gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods

The study design was cross sectional. The study retrospectively included all children who underwent combined multiple intraluminal impedance and pH (pH-MII) monitoring due to gastrointestinal and/or extraesophageal symptoms suggesting gastroesophageal reflux disease at University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, from July 2012 to July 2016.

Results

A total of 218 (117 boys/101 girls), mean age 6.7 years (range 0.06–18.0 years), met the inclusion criteria. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was found in 128 of 218 children (57.4%) by pH-MII and in 76 (34.1%) children by pH metry alone. Using pH-MII monitoring as gold standard, sensitivity of pH-metry was lowest in infants (22.9%), with tendency to increase in older age groups (reaching 76.4% in children ≥ 9 years). The sensitivity of pH-metry alone in children with extraesophageal symptoms was 38.1%, while the sensitivity of pH-metry in children with gastrointestinal symptoms was 63.8%. Reflux esophagitis was identified in 31 (26.1%) of 119 children who underwent endoscopy. Logistic regression analysis showed that best predictors of endoscopic reflux esophagitis are the longest acid episode (OR = 1.52, p<0.05) and DeMeester reflux composite score (OR = 3.31, p<0.05). The significant cutoff values included DeMeester reflux composite score ≥ 29 (AUC 0.786, CI 0.695–0.877, p<0.01) and duration of longest acid reflux ≥ 18 minutes (AUC 0.784, CI 0.692–0.875, p<0.01).

Conclusions

The results of our study suggested that compared with pH-metry alone, pH-MII had significantly higher detection rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially in infants. Our findings also showed that pH-MII parameters correlated significantly with the endoscopically confirmed erosive esophagitis.

Similarities and differences among eosinophilic esophagitis, proton-pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia, and reflux esophagitis: comparisons of clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological findings in Japanese patients

BACKGROUND

Esophageal eosinophilia is classified as either eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or proton-pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), depending on the response to PPI treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological findings of EoE and PPI-REE in Japanese patients. In addition, the characteristics of these cases were compared with those of reflux esophagitis (RE) cases.

METHODS

Eleven patients diagnosed with EoE, 16 with PPI-REE, and 39 with RE, who were all consecutively examined from 2005 to 2015 at Shimane University Hospital, were enrolled. Clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological esophageal findings in these groups were retrospectively examined and compared.

RESULTS

The differences in the clinical characteristics of EoE and PPI-REE were not remarkable, though patients with EoE and PPI-REE were younger, presented a higher prevalence of allergic comorbidities, and complained of symptoms of dysphagia more frequently than those with RE. The only noteworthy differences between EoE and PPI-REE were more frequent reports of asthma (36.4 vs. 2.6 %) and food allergy (27.3 vs. 0 %) by patients with EoE (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Endoscopic findings in patients with EoE and PPI-REE were similar, with the presence of esophageal erosions in a small percentage of PPI-REE cases being the only difference. There were no histopathological differences between EoE and PPI-REE.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparisons of clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological findings between EoE and PPI-REE showed that these two types have similar characteristics, though EoE patients showed a higher atopic background. Predicting PPI responsiveness in cases with esophageal eosinophilia is difficult and requires further investigation.

Determination of esophageal eosinophil counts and other histologic features of eosinophilic esophagitis by pathology trainees is highly accurate

Many studies of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) use expert pathology review, but it is unknown whether less experienced pathologists can reliably assess EoE histology. We aimed to determine whether trainee pathologists can accurately quantify esophageal eosinophil counts and identify associated histologic features of EoE, as compared with expert pathologists. We used a set of 40 digitized slides from patients with varying degrees of esophageal eosinophilia. Each of 6 trainee pathologists underwent a teaching session and used our validated protocol to determine eosinophil counts and associated EoE findings. The same slides had previously been evaluated by expert pathologists, and these results comprised the criterion standard. Eosinophil counts were correlated, and agreement was calculated for the diagnostic threshold of 15 eosinophils per high-power field as well as for associated EoE findings. Peak eosinophil counts were highly correlated between the trainees and the criterion standard (ρ ranged from 0.87 to 0.92; P<.001 for all). Peak counts were also highly correlated between trainees (0.75-0.91; P<.001), and results were similar for mean counts. Agreement was excellent for determining if a count exceeded the diagnostic threshold (κ ranged from 0.83 to 0.89; P<.001). Agreement was very good for eosinophil degranulation (κ = 0.54-0.83; P<.01) and spongiosis (κ = 0.44-0.87; P<.01) but was lower for eosinophil microabscesses (κ = 0.37-0.64; P<.01). In conclusion, using a teaching session, digitized slide set, and validated protocol, the agreement between pathology trainees and expert pathologists for determining eosinophil counts was excellent. Agreement was very good for eosinophil degranulation and spongiosis but less so for microabscesses.

Grade of eosinophilia versus symptoms in patients with dysphagia and esophageal eosinophilia

The aim of this study was to assess whether the symptom severity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with dysphagia and esophageal eosinophilia correlate with disease activity as expressed by the number of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa. This study included newly diagnosed (n = 58) or relapsed patients (n = 7), where 40% were diagnosed in connection with esophageal bolus impaction. The mean age was 45 years (19-88), and 74% were men. Symptoms and HRQL were recorded using the Watson Dysphagia Scale (WDS), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Oesophageal Module 18 and the Short Form-36 Questionnaire. Histological samples gathered from the proximal and distal esophageal mucosa were stained using both hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and an immunohistochemical (IHC) technique against 'Eosinophil Major Basic Protein,' and the peak number of eosinophils per high-power field was assessed. More eosinophils were detected after IHC staining than HE staining (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between symptoms or the HRQL and the number of eosinophils. However, higher numbers of eosinophils at the proximal esophagus were found in patients with concomitant bolus impaction (IHC P < 0.05 and HE P < 0.05) and could serve as a risk marker.

Comparison of eotaxin-3 biomarker in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis, proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) is a recently described entity which resembles oeosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), yet responds to acid suppressive treatment.

AIM

To determine whether EoE shares similar staining features with PPI-REE or with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

This retrospective study consisted of patients with an established diagnosis of EoE, PPI-REE, or GERD identified from a database during a 1-year period. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was performed specifically targeting eotaxin-3 antibodies. All sections were qualitatively (intensity) and quantitatively (percentage of cells stained) assessed independently by two blinded pathologists.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of three groups of patients: EoE (n = 22), PPI-REE (n = 23) and GERD (n = 23) for a total of 68 patients. Study demographics included mean age 39 (14) years, 75% male and 77% Caucasian. There was a significant difference in the eotaxin-3 staining among EoE, PPI-REE and GERD groups [mean score (s.d.): 1.2 (1.2), 0.8 (1.0), 0.3 (0.7), P = 0.006]. Staining scores of EoE patients were significantly higher compared with GERD (P = 0.002) and a trend towards significance was seen between EoE and PPI-REE (P = 0.054). There was also a significant difference in EoE staining intensity score among the three groups (P = 0.006). Intensity scores of EoE were significantly higher compared with GERD [1.0 (0.9) vs. 0.22 (0.52), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference between EoE and PPI-REE groups [1.0 (0.0) vs. 0.52 (0.75) P = 0.094].

CONCLUSIONS

A difference in eotaxin-3 staining was seen in the three groups of patients with oesophageal eosinophilia. Eotaxin-3 can distinguish EoE from GERD, but not from proton pump inhibitor responsive-oesophageal eosinophilia.

Non-reflux esophagitis: a review of inflammatory diseases of the esophagus exclusive of reflux esophagitis

Esophagitis is a frequent cause of clinical symptoms and is often an indication for upper endoscopy. Mucosal biopsies are procured for diagnostic purposes and may be used to assess the efficacy of treatment, as in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. This article outlines salient clinical and pathologic features of diseases that cause esophagitis exclusive of reflux esophagitis.

Contribution of endoscopy in the management of eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinicopathological entity characterized by a set of symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium. EoE is an emerging worldwide disease as documented in many countries. Recent reports indicate that EoE is increasingly diagnosed in both pediatric and adult patients although the epidemiology of this new disease entity remains unclear. It is unclear whether EoE is a new disease or a new classification of an old esophageal disorder. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsies with histological examination of esophageal mucosa are required to establish the diagnosis of EoE, verify response to therapy, assess disease remission, document and dilate strictures and evaluate symptom recurrence of EoE. Repeated endoscopies with biopsies are necessary for monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy. EGD has a fundamental role in the diagnosis and management of EoE, forming an essential part of the investigation and follow-up of this condition. EoE is now considered a systemic disorder and not only a local condition with an important immunological background. One of the aims of research in EoE is to study non-invasive markers, such as immune indicators found in plasma, that correlate with local presence of EoE in esophageal tissues. Studies over the next few years will provide new information about diagnosis, pathogenesis, endoscopic/histologic criteria, non-invasive markers, novel and more efficacious treatments, as well as establishing natural history. Randomized clinical trials are urgently called for to inform non-invasive diagnostic tests, hallmarks of natural history and more efficacious treatment approaches for patients with EoE. The collaboration between pediatric and adult clinical and experimental studies will be paramount in the understanding and management of this disease.

Contemporary consensus proposal on criteria and classification of eosinophilic disorders and related syndromes

Eosinophilia is an important indicator of various neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions. Depending on the underlying disease and mechanisms, eosinophil infiltration can lead to organ dysfunction, clinical symptoms, or both. During the past 2 decades, several different classifications of eosinophilic disorders and related syndromes have been proposed in various fields of medicine. Although criteria and definitions are, in part, overlapping, no global consensus has been presented to date. The Year 2011 Working Conference on Eosinophil Disorders and Syndromes was organized to update and refine the criteria and definitions for eosinophilic disorders and to merge prior classifications in a contemporary multidisciplinary schema. A panel of experts from the fields of immunology, allergy, hematology, and pathology contributed to this project. The expert group agreed on unifying terminologies and criteria and a classification that delineates various forms of hypereosinophilia, including primary and secondary variants based on specific hematologic and immunologic conditions, and various forms of the hypereosinophilic syndrome. For patients in whom no underlying disease or hypereosinophilic syndrome is found, the term hypereosinophilia of undetermined significance is introduced. The proposed novel criteria, definitions, and terminologies should assist in daily practice, as well as in the preparation and conduct of clinical trials.

Eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus following endoscopic ablation of Barrett's neoplasia

To assess the incidence of esophageal intra-epithelial eosinophilic infiltration following endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE), a retrospective study of consecutive cases of endoscopic ablation of BE with dysplasia or cancer using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and spray cryotherapy at two centers in the United States was performed. Post-ablation eosinophilia was defined as ≥ 5 eosinophils per high power field during post-treatment surveillance. Twenty of 122 patients (16%) undergoing ablation developed esophageal eosinophilia after ablation, including 8/77 (10%) treated with RFA and 12/44 (27%) treated with cryotherapy. No patient had clinical or endoscopic findings of or risk factors for eosinophilic esophagitis. Esophageal eosinophilia persisted in 30% over a median of 20.2 months. On multivariate analysis, post-ablation eosinophilia was independently associated with increasing BE segment length (adjusted odds ratio 1.46 for every 2-cm increase, 95% confidence interval 1.24-1.71) and cryotherapy as the ablation modality (adjusted odds ratio 5.23, 95% confidence interval 1.67-16.39). Esophageal eosinophilic infiltration after endoscopic ablation with RFA and cryotherapy is common and is associated with the BE segment length and treatment modality. The clinical significance of post-ablation eosinophilia is unclear.

The mural form of eosinophilic esophagitis is accompanied by superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an increasingly recognized primary clinicopathologic disorder of the esophagus which lacks a specific etiology. Most reports on EE have been limited to the esophagus mucosa. We present a 56-year-old man with the mural form of EE and superficial squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus. The eosinophils diffusely invaded the full-thickness of the esophagus, mainly infiltrating the muscularis, including the skeletal and smooth muscles. The lesions in the mucosa, submucosa, and adventitia were slight. Although the superficial squamous cell carcinoma was excited by an endoscopic biopsy, there were some changes in the architecture and size of the squamous epithelial cells. The changed cells also expressed the p53 protein. It appears that the eosinophils stimulated cell proliferation, followed by genetic mutations and cancer development. The patient survived with resection of the esophagus and inhaled corticosteroids.

Results of ambulatory pH monitoring do not reliably predict response to therapy in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

The consensus statements for eosinophilic oesophagitis recommend that ambulatory pH monitoring is one means of determining if gastro-oesophageal reflux is the cause of oesophageal eosinophilia and should guide pharmacological therapy.

AIM

To evaluate prospectively the accuracy of pH monitoring as a predictor of endoscopic, histological and symptomatic response in patients with oesophageal eosinophilia.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective trial in which patients with oesophageal eosinophilic infiltration with ≥15 eos/hpf underwent a 24-h pH study and were placed in one of two treatment arms for 6 weeks based on positive or negative results. Patients with abnormal acid exposure were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily and others were treated with oral viscous budesonide 1 g twice daily. Response to treatment was assessed by oesophageal histology (<5 eos/hpf) and symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 51 patients were enrolled in the study. The average patient age was 39 years and 31 patients (61%) were male. The average number of eosinophils per hpf, prior to study enrolment was 41.2 (range 15-140, s.d. 27.7). Nineteen (37%) had positive pH studies and 32 (63%) had negative pH studies. Eighteen patients completed treatment with esomeprazole. Only eleven (61%) had histological response and, of these eleven, five (46%) had symptomatic improvement. A total of 28 patients with normal acid exposure completed treatment with budesonide. Only 16 (57%) had histological and 11 (69%) had symptomatic improvement.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective trial of pH-guided treatment, neither positive nor negative results of initial pH monitoring accurately predicted response to therapy.

Efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist for erosive esophagitis: a preliminary retrospective comparative study

While diagnostic overlap exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic esophagitis especially on histological findings, therapeutic approaches for the two disease entities are very different. Recently, anti-inflammatory treatment, in addition to acid suppressants, has been investigated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This study investigated whether the incidence of endoscopic erosive esophagitis was lower in recipients of long-term leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) treatment. This retrospective comparative study included 207 recipients of an LTRA and an equal number of controls who underwent screening upper endoscopic examination. Twenty-two (10.6%) and 51 (24.6%) cases of erosive esophagitis were detected in the LTRA and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). A significantly higher incidence of minimal change esophagitis was also found in the controls compared with the LTRA group (14.5% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LTRA treatment was significantly and inversely associated with erosive esophagitis (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.46). Within the LTRA treatment group, an increased risk of erosive esophagitis was strongly associated with the presence of hiatal hernia (OR, 5.89; 95% CI, 2.20-15.73, P < 0.001) and short duration of LTRA treatment (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.37-0.89, P= 0.022). In conclusion, this preliminary retrospective analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent long-term treatment with a LTRA had low incidence of endoscopic minimal change esophagitis.

[Eosinophilic oesophagitis]

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic inflammatory condition in the oesophagus. There has been increasing awareness of this disease in recent years as a common cause of dysfunction of the oesophagus in children and adults.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The review is based on a search in PubMed, scrutiny of reference lists and the authors' experience of adults and children with eosinophilic oesophagitis.

RESULTS

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is being diagnosed increasingly often in western countries. Men are affected three times as often as women. The disease may start at any age, but does so most frequently in children and young adults. Dysphagia and impaction of food in the oesophagus are the most common symptoms in adolescents and adults. In children the commonest symptoms are eating problems, abdominal pain, nausea and retarded growth. In many patients the mechanism behind the condition is probably an allergic reaction in the oesophagus to food, and over half the patients have an atopic disposition. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings, typical findings on endoscopy and eosinophilic granulocytes in the oesophageal mucosa. Treatment possibilities include restriction of diet, locally acting corticosteroids and endoscopic dilatation.

INTERPRETATION

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is being diagnosed in an increasing number of patients, but it is not certain whether this is due to increased occurrence or increased awareness by doctors. Knowledge of the disease is important because simple endoscopic or medical treatment leads to a good result in most patients, and can prevent complications such as stricture formation and food impaction in the oesophagus.

Blood tests and histological correlates in children with eosinophilic oesophagitis

AIM

To determine the relationship between blood tests and oesophageal histology in Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

METHODS

All children diagnosed with EoE at one hospital from 2000 to 2009 were considered for inclusion in this study. Three blood test results were analysed, blood eosinophil count, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to common food allergens. Oesophageal histology was prospectively re-reviewed, and mean eosinophil counts were enumerated. Blood test results were correlated with oesophageal eosinophil counts using Spearman's rank test.

RESULTS

Forty children (70% boys) were included in this study, median age at diagnosis 6.5 years (range 0-15). At the time of diagnosis, 78% of children had a raised blood eosinophil count, 90% had a raised serum total IgE and 83% had one or more positive RAST tests. The mean oesophageal eosinophil count was significantly correlated with both blood eosinophil count (p=0.008) and serum total IgE level (p=0.008).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that blood tests are often abnormal in children with EoE at the time of diagnosis. Our data demonstrate an association between histological abnormalities and blood test results in children with EoE.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: updated consensus recommendations for children and adults

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinicopathologic condition of increasing recognition and prevalence. In 2007, a consensus recommendation provided clinical and histopathologic guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of EoE; however, only a minority of physicians use the 2007 guidelines, which require fulfillment of both histologic and clinical features. Since 2007, the number of EoE publications has doubled, providing new disease insight. Accordingly, a panel of 33 physicians with expertise in pediatric and adult allergy/immunology, gastroenterology, and pathology conducted a systematic review of the EoE literature (since September 2006) using electronic databases. Based on the literature review and expertise of the panel, information and recommendations were provided in each of the following areas of EoE: diagnostics, genetics, allergy testing, therapeutics, and disease complications. Because accumulating animal and human data have provided evidence that EoE appears to be an antigen-driven immunologic process that involves multiple pathogenic pathways, a new conceptual definition is proposed highlighting that EoE represents a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation. The diagnostic guidelines continue to define EoE as an isolated chronic disorder of the esophagus diagnosed by the need of both clinical and pathologic features. Patients commonly have high rates of concurrent allergic diatheses, especially food sensitization, compared with the general population. Proved therapeutic options include chronic dietary elimination, topical corticosteroids, and esophageal dilation. Important additions since 2007 include genetic underpinnings that implicate EoE susceptibility caused by polymorphisms in the thymic stromal lymphopoietin protein gene and the description of a new potential disease phenotype, proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophila. Further advances and controversies regarding diagnostic methods, surrogate disease markers, allergy testing, and treatment approaches are discussed.

Localization of eosinophilic esophagitis from H&E stained images using multispectral imaging

This study is an initial investigation on the capability of multispectral imaging to capture subtle spectral information that would enable the automatic delineation between the eosinophilic esophagitis and other eosin stained tissue components, especially the RBCs. In the method, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the spectral transmittance samples of the different tissue components, excluding however the transmittance samples of the eosinophilic esophagitis. From the average spectral error configuration of the eosinophilic esophagitis transmittance samples, i.e. the difference between the actual transmittance and the estimated transmittance using m PC vectors, we indentified two spectral bands by which we can localize the eosinophils. Initial results show the possibility of automatically localizing the eosinophilic esophagitis by utilizing spectral information.