Small Bowel Permeability is Higher in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

On the road to understanding the food allergy–EoE connection

Dietary modification has been shown to be an effective nonpharmacologic intervention in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE; NEJM JW Gastroenterol Jul 2 2014). However, we still do not understand how food antigens induce isolated esophageal eosinophilic infiltration. Conceptually, this could occur at a local level by contact or absorption in the esophagus or through a systemic response after small bowel absorption of the allergen. Evidence from animal studies has shown that extraesophageal allergen exposure can cause or modify an esophageal allergic response.

In the current study, researchers evaluated whether small bowel permeability was increased in 17 patients with active EoE (>15 eosinophils per high-power field [HPF] without tre…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors