Eosinophilic Gastritis and Eosinophilic Duodenitis

Abstract

This review provides an overview of recent developments in the field of eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD) with emphasis on diagnostic criteria, the clinical manifestation and available or emerging treatments. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases such as EG and EoD are chronic inflammatory conditions with gastrointestinal symptoms and increased density of mucosal eosinophilic cells. Recent data suggest an association between increases of duodenal eosinophils and symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia. Eosinophil infiltrates are patchy, and counts fluctuate with seasons, diet, medications and geographic factors. Country-specific reference ranges remain to be defined. Few treatment trials explored symptomatic improvement and resolution of eosinophilic infiltration in functional dyspepsia. Eosinophils are part of the physiologic adaptive and innate immune response. A link between EG and in particular EoD with functional dyspepsia has been observed but a causal link with symptoms remains to be established.