Eosinophilic Esophagitis
DEFINITION:
Characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus presumably due to allergic or idiopathic causes
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
Not well studied, but reported in several countries in the world
Majority of case reports are men in their 20-30’s and among children with the majority being boys
Case reports in families demonstrate a possible genetic link
ETIOLOGIES:
Has been described in association with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, See also Esophagus/Gastric-Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (Chapter 1.07)
However most reports are isolated esophageal involvement
DDX:
GERD, infections (parasitic/fungal), Crohn’s, drug injury, allergic vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, carcinoma, periarteritis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
The normal esophagus is devoid of eosinophils, but like the colon is capable of recruiting eosinophils to a variety of stimuli (i.e. GERD)
The pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis is unknown
The recruitment of eosinophils is observed in a variety of inflammatory or infectious disorders such as IBD, GERD, food allergy
Association with allergies is common suggesting that there may be a response to environmental antigens
Eotaxin, Interleukin 5 (IL-5) and STAT6 may play important rolesRelated posts:
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
