title: Omalizumab in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergy.
abstract: Omalizumab is currently used in severe asthma and has been tried in other allergic disorders. The authors report two patients with multiple food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis on a very restrictive diet who have been treated with omalizumab, in order to improve food intolerance--the major distressing factor in their lives. The patients significantly improved in the reported symptoms. However, no improvement was seen regarding esophageal endoscopy and histology. Given the poor histological and endoscopy response, eosinophilic esophagitis persistence is unlikely to be IgE dependent. Omalizumab may improve the quality of life of patients with severe food allergy by improving symptoms, but it does not appear to change endoscopic and histological features of eosinophilic esophagitis in a short follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hospital S João, EPE, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Oporto, Portugal. rubenrocha@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Artur Bonito
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Vitor
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Jorge Amil
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dias
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications; D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D000069444:Omalizumab; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab