Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Not an IgE-Mediated Allergy

However, it is associated with significantly elevated levels of IgG4.

Food allergy has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, one unknown factor to date is whether adult EoE is an immunoglobulin (Ig) E–mediated allergy, which might have both diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

To test this hypothesis, investigators randomized 30 patients with EoE to receive treatment with an antibody to IgE (omalizumab) or placebo every 2 to 4 weeks for 16 weeks. At baseline and 16 weeks, they performed endoscopy with biopsy sampling to assess eosinophil counts and evaluate symptoms. In separate analyses, researchers used tissue samples from previous studies to compare content of IgM, IgA, and IgG subclasses in 11 patients with EoE and 8 healthy controls and IgG4 (via immu…

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