title: Educational clinical case series in pediatric allergy and immunology.
abstract: Eosinophilic inflammation may occur in any part of the intestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. Despite 70 yr having passed since the first reference to a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis, the epidemiology and natural history of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders are still poorly known. Insights into their etiology and pathogenesis have revealed an important role for allergens; interleukins 4, 5, and 13; the eotaxin family of chemokines; and eosinophil-derived proteins. Diagnosis is confirmed by typical histologic features in a patient with a suggestive clinical phenotype. Treatment involves eliminating triggering allergens, making dietary restrictions the first choice of therapy in a compliant patient; corticosteroids [topical in eosinophilic esophagitis (EE)], despite the potential for serious side effects, are used with success in refractory and non-compliant patients. In this study we discuss EE and gastroduodenitis against the backdrop of clinical case presentations.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, USA. sekhan@nemours.org
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kandula
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Orenstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male