General laboratory diagnostics of eosinophilic GI diseases.
Eosinophils and gastrointestinal tract interact in an intimate and enigmatic relationship. Under inflammatory conditions, eosinophil infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract is a common feature of numerous eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs). EGIDs are disorders, for which the diagnosis is relatively difficult. Nevertheless, some common laboratory techniques are currently used for their diagnosis and disease monitoring. Besides eosinophils, mast cells and T cells have also been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Here, we review the pathogenesis and common laboratory approaches applied for their diagnosis, in particular eosinophil and mast cell markers.
Conus
Sébastien
S
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. hus@pki.unibe.ch
Simon
Hans-Uwe
HU
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans