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Review article: the pathogenesis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Author(s) -
FURUTA G. T.,
STRAUMANN A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02984.x
Subject(s) - eosinophilic esophagitis , medicine , pathogenesis , eosinophilia , dysphagia , eosinophilic gastroenteritis , disease , heartburn , gastroenterology , esophagitis , immunology , pathology , dermatology , surgery , reflux
Summary Background Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a clinicopathological disease affecting both children and adults that is characterized by symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (feeding refusal, vomiting, heartburn, dysphagia and food impaction) and dense oesophageal eosinophilia both of which are unresponsive to proton pump inhibition. Aim To present a review of the recent literature examining the pathogenesis and treatments of eosinophilic oesophagitis. Methods We performed a PubMed search for eosinophilic oesophagitis, pathogenesis and treatments. Results Translational and basic studies suggest that this disease is sparked by food or by aeroallergens. To date, effective treatments include systemic/topical corticosteroids, specific food elimination or an elemental diet. While several studies identified oesophageal strictures as potential complications of unbridled eosinophilia, the natural history of the disease is still not certain. Recent studies suggest a role for interleukin‐5 and eotaxin‐3 in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic oesophagitis and suggest an impact of future targeted therapeutic agents. Conclusions Eosinophilic oesophagitis represents a immune‐mediated disease of undetermined pathogenesis. While many patients develop clinicopathological findings following ingestion of foods, others do not. Natural history studies will be critical to defining future treatment paradigms.