title: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
abstract: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an infrequently diagnosed condition that is characterized by prominent eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach or small intestine, generally localized to one level of the intestinal wall; the variable organ locus and wall depth produce heterogeneous clinical presentations. A strong association with atopy is present in most cases, supported by circumstantial evidence and the demonstration of Th-2 proinflammatory cytokine profiles in animal studies. A high degree of suspicion is required to establish the diagnosis, which must be based on intense gastrointestinal eosinophilia. Management is directed toward removal of offending allergens and use of anti-inflammatory agents. Novel and emerging treatments on the horizon are biologic therapies and selective anti-eosinophil agents.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA. sekhan@nemours.org
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Orenstein
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004802:Eosinophilia; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy