EoE affects about 1 out of 2,000 individuals and EG affects about 1 in 10,000. Both are more prevalent in men. Age prevalence is 20-50 years.

Eosinophilic disease individuals have other allergy related diseases, such as, rhinitis, asthma, or eczema.

Some families show a genetic inheritance patterns in developing EoE.

The cause of eosinophilic disease is unknown.

In Eoe, it is believed that affected individuals have food or environmental allergies that triggers an immune response to specific foods. The gene CAPN14 can play a role in EoE and is expressed primarily in the esophagus.

The symptoms of eosinophilic disease varies from one individual to another, some common ones include:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia)
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Gastro reflux or heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Poor weight or difficulty to gain weight
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Ascites

Narrowing of the esophagus which cause food to become stuck or impacted; it may lead to a medical emergency at times.

Specific symptoms depend on where eosinophilic reactions are occurring. The most common area is the stomach and small intestine. If it involves the muscle layers, it can lead to malabsorption, abdominal pain, vomiting, or bowel obstruction. If it involves the inner layers, it can cause ascites or pleural effusion.

Most affected individuals have elevated levels of IgE, a class of antibodies involved in allergic reactions, and eosinophils in their tissue and blood. Eosinophilic disease is diagnosed by a biopsy. A biopsy is the only method of diagnosis that can distinguish eosinophilic disease from other digestive disorders. If a diagnosis is confirmed, allergy testing is essential to help guide therapy and treatment.

• Biopsy
• Allergy test
• Blood level of IgE and eosinophils

The treatment of eosinophilic disease is medical and/or dietary therapy. There are medications available to control eosinophils in the different parts of the body.

• The treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is topical steroids (e.g., steroid inhaler) and dietary therapy. Esophageal dilation can help relieve dysphagia; the most common symptom of EoE. Proton Pump Inhibitors can help with acid-associated esophagitis or acid reflux disease.
• The treatment for eosinophilic gastritis (EG) is systemic steroids. Dietary therapy is less effective.
• The treatment for eosinophilic colitis (EC) is systemic steroids. Dietary therapy is less effective
• The treatment for eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is systemic steroids. Dietary therapy is less effective.
• The treatment for hyper-eosinophilic syndrome (HES) is systemic steroids or biological agents (i.e., imatinib). Dietary therapy is not a treatment option in HES.

The common dietary therapies are:

• Elemental diet uses of amino acids to aid digestion.
• A six-food elimination diet that avoids foods containing the six most common dietary antigens in the United States, i.e. milk, soy, wheat, eggs, fish/shellfish, and peanuts/tree nuts, regardless of allergy test results.
• Allergy testing helps determine dietary restrictions of foods that can trigger the disease.

Eosinophilic disease is life long and there is currently no cure. Adhering to medication and/or dietary therapy can aid help prognosis.

EoE is a chronic disease but does not limit life expectancy. With the proper treatment, affected individuals can have a normal life.

1. http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/e/eosinophilic-gastrointestinal-disorders-egids
2. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/eosinophilic-gastroenteritis/
3. https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/eosinophilic-disorders/conditions/eosinophilic-disorder
4. https://apfed.org/about-ead/egids/eoe/