title: Environmental and infectious factors in eosinophilic esophagitis.
abstract: Identifying possible environmental or infectious etiologic factors for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) may offer insight into opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. We reviewed the current literature to assess environmental and infectious factors evaluated in EoE. Few studies have been conducted, however a consistent inverse association between EoE and H. pylori has been described. Several studies suggest a weak association between season and EoE diagnosis, but the evidence is inconclusive. EoE has also been associated with early life factors, including Cesarean delivery and antibiotic use. Larger studies are needed to evaluate these associations more thoroughly. Several papers have speculated the potential for anti-secretory agents to contribute to EoE. This has not been formerly evaluated. In summary, there is significant opportunity in the future to advance our understanding of possible environmental etiologic factors for EoE.
authors.affiliation: Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, United States. Electronic address: elizabeth_jensen@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. Electronic address: edellon@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Evan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dellon
mesh_terms: D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000150:complications*; D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Environment; Eosinophilic esophagitis; Epidemiology; Etiology; Infection; Risk factors