The Metamorphosis of a Horse into a Zebra: A Case of Primary Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

Chronic diarrhea is a common diagnostic entity faced by many primary care physicians. Primary eosinophilic gastroenteritis (PEG), a relatively rare but not uncommon cause of chronic nonbloody diarrhea, presents with nonspecific symptoms, making clinical consideration and diagnosis extremely challenging. In PEG, eosinophils selectively target the gastrointestinal tract, where they  degranulate, causing inflammation and irritation. We report the case of a 46-year-old female with recurrent hospitalizations for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea over a nine-month period. After an extensive workup ruling out secondary causes of eosinophilia, she was diagnosed with PEG.