Clinical Characteristics of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children

2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (11) ◽  
pp. 827-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen H. Dauer ◽  
Deborah K. Freese ◽  
Mounif El-Youssef ◽  
Dana M. Thompson

Objectives: The role of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in aerodigestive tract disorders in children is underestimated and overlooked, primarily because of a lack of understanding of this disorder by otolaryngologists. We sought to better characterize the clinical presentation of EE in order to increase awareness among otolaryngologists. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 71 children with biopsy-proven EE to determine the most common symptoms and laboratory findings that should increase the clinical suspicion of EE. Results: Dysphagia, food impaction, and emesis were the most common symptoms in children with EE. Asthma was the most common airway diagnosis. Rhinosinusitis was the most common otolaryngological diagnosis. Food allergy was present in 60% of the children tested. Eighty-three percent of the children with elevated immunoglobulin E levels had thick linear streaking or patchy white exudate of the esophagus seen on esophagoscopy. Other major medical comorbidities existed in more than half of the children with EE, of which psychiatric disorders and other disorders of the aerodigestive tract were the most common. Conclusions: Eosinophilic esophagitis may contribute to treatment failure in patients with common and complicated aerodigestive tract disorders. To encourage clinicians to avoid overlooking the diagnosis, we present an evaluative algorithm to increase the suspicion of this entity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aravind Ganesh ◽  
Sarah F. Wesley

Diagnosing autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is complicated by several factors, including issues with availability, sensitivity, and specificity of antibody testing, particularly with variability in assay techniques and new antibodies being rapidly identified; nonspecific findings on MRI, EEG, and lumbar puncture; and competing differential diagnoses. Through case-based discussions with 3 experts from 3 continents, this article discusses the challenges of AE diagnosis, important clinical characteristics of AE, preferences for methods of autoantibody testing and interpretation, and treatment-related questions. In particular, we explore the following question: If a patient's clinical presentation seems consistent with AE but antibody testing is negative, can one still diagnose the patient with AE? Furthermore, what factors does one consider when making this determination, and should treatment proceed independent of antibody testing in suspected cases? The same case-based questions were posed to the rest of our readership in an online survey, the results of which are also presented.


1987 ◽  
Vol 5 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 119-135
Author(s):  
J.M. Littlewood ◽  
Anita MacDonald

This paper describes the clinical presentation of food allergy and/or intolerance (F.A.I.). The role of a diagnostic dietary trial is reviewed. Finally dietary management is discussed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Carles Trullàs ◽  
Eva Ruiz ◽  
Clara Weisweiler ◽  
Gemma Badosa ◽  
Alba Serra ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with COVID-19 in a community hospital in SpainMethods Prospective, single-centre case series of the first 100 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at a community hospital in Spain, from March 16 to April 20, 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, radiologic and laboratory findings, treatment and clinical outcome were collected.Results Of the 100 patients included in the study, the median age (IQR; range) was 75 years (20; 28–96) and 52% were men. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (63%), diabetes (22%) and cardiovascular diseases (28%). The most common symptoms were fever (80%), cough (69%), fatigue (59%) and dyspnea (52%) and 64% had respiratory insufficiency. Bilateral interstitial infiltrates (65/100, 65%) and bilateral vertical “B-kerley” lines (38/46, 82.6%) were the most common imaging manifestations in chest radiographs and lung ultrasound, respectively. All patients received supplementary oxygen, 69 (69%) received medical treatment (the most common regimen being hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin in 66 patients) and 12% were treated with glucocorticoids. During hospitalization, 26 patients (26%) died, 10 (10%) were transferred to ICU and 64 (64%) were discharged at home. Mortality or ICU admission was more frequent in advanced age and with comorbidities.Conclusions This case series provides clinical characteristics and outcome of consecutively hospitalized patients with COVID-19 admitted to a community hospital in Spain. The majority were old patients, with comorbidities and in-hospital mortality was high (26%).


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Nonso Osakwe ◽  
Douglas Hart

The clinical management of severely ill patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presents significant challenges. Many COVID-19 patients with ARDS also present with laboratory findings significant for derangement in coagulation function. In this report, we describe acute pulmonary embolism in three patients with COVID-19. We assessed the role of D-dimer assay and anticoagulation treatment in these patients. The aim of this case report is to increase awareness about the use of D-dimer in addition to patient’s clinical status for making treatment decision in COVID-19 patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Antonella Cianferoni

Food allergies, defined as an immune response to food proteins, affect as many as 8% of young children and 2% of adults in western countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising like all allergic diseases. In addition to well-recognized urticaria and anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibody– mediated immune responses, there is an increasing recognition of cell-mediated disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis. Non-IgE-Mediated gastrointestinal food allergies are a heterogeneous group of food allergies in which there is an immune reaction against food but the primary pathogenesis is not a production of IgE and activation of mast cells and basophils. Those diseases tend to affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract and can present as acute (FPIES) or chronic reaction, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP). The role of food allergy in Non-EoE gastrointestinal Eosinophilic disorders (Non- EoE EGID) is poorly understood. In some diseases like EoE, T cell seems to play a major role in initiating the immunological reaction against food, however, in FPIES and FPIAP, the mechanism of sensitization is not clear. Diagnosis requires food challenges and/or endoscopies in most of the patients, as there are no validated biomarkers that can be used for monitoring or diagnosis of Non-IgE mediated food allergies. The treatment of Non-IgE food allergy is dependent on diet (FPIES, and EoE) and/or use of drugs (i.e. steroids, PPI) in EoE and Non-EoE EGID. Non-IgE mediated food allergies are being being investigated.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1630
Author(s):  
Pierfrancesco Visaggi ◽  
Lucia Mariani ◽  
Veronica Pardi ◽  
Emma Maria Rosi ◽  
Camilla Pugno ◽  
...  

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a unique form of non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy, restricted to the esophagus, characterized by esophageal eosinophil-predominant inflammation and dysfunction. The diagnosis requires an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy with esophageal biopsies demonstrating active eosinophilic inflammation with 15 or more eosinophils/high-power field, following the exclusion of alternative causes of eosinophilia. Food allergens trigger the disease, withdairy/milk, wheat/gluten, egg, soy/legumes, and seafood the most common. Therapeutic strategies comprise dietary restrictions, proton pump inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, biologic agents, and esophageal dilation when strictures are present. However, avoidance of trigger foods remains the only option targeting the cause, and not the effect, of the disease. Because EoE relapses when treatment is withdrawn, dietary therapy offers a long-term, drug-free alternative to patients who wish to remain off drugs and still be in remission. There are currently multiple dietary management strategies to choose from, each having its specific efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages that both clinicians and patients should acknowledge. In addition, dietary regimens should be tailored around each individual patient to increase the chance of tolerability and long-term adherence. In general, liquid elemental diets devoid of antigens and elimination diets restricting causative foods are valuable options. Designing diets on the basis of food allergy skin tests results is not reliable and should be avoided. This review summarizes the most recent knowledge regarding the clinical use of dietary measures in EoE. We discussed endpoints, rationale, advantages and disadvantages, and tailoring of diets, as well as currently available dietary regimens for EoE.


2022 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ejaz Yousef ◽  
Yelena Korotkaya ◽  
Alyson B. Simpson

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune and/or antigen-mediated disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of mucosa (≥15 eosinophils per high power field) without any secondary etiology. Non‐immunoglobulin E mediated mechanisms predominate in EoE. Objective: This review concentrated on a stepwise approach for the allergist working in non‐tertiary care private practice. Methods: A medical literature search that focused on several areas of the latest developments in the diagnosis and management of EoE was conducted. Results: There has been a steady increase in the prevalence and incidence of EoE. Clinical symptoms can vary from dysphagia to failure to thrive, depending on the age at presentation; some children develop adaptive behaviors to compensate for dysphagia, such as food preferences and slow eating. The diagnosis is based on a high index of clinical suspicion and is confirmed with endoscopy with biopsies after ruling out other causes of esophageal eosinophilia. Treatment options may include dietary therapy, pharmacologic therapies, or combination therapy. Therapeutic options may also include endoscopic dilation for stricturing disease. Conclusion: Providers should be aware of recent recommendation changes in the diagnostic workup, the role of skin-prick testing, and role of the proton-pump inhibitor as first-line therapy for EoE. Also, clinicians should be aware of the emerging role of empiric dietary therapy as a preferable therapeutic option when compared with the testing-directed diet and the elemental diet. Furthermore, topical glucocorticoid therapies are available, and new developing therapies are being investigated. Reevaluation of esophageal mucosa with biopsies is required approximately 2 months after therapy for a response and after a change in therapies to confirm continued resolution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Tonny Tanus ◽  
Sunny Wangko

Abstrak: Prevalensi alergi makanan makin meningkat di seluruh dunia dan mengenai semua usia. Keparahan dan kompleksitas penyakit juga meningkat terlebih pada populasi anak. Terdapat beberapa jenis reaksi alergi yang dibahas: immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergies and anaphylaxis, food triggered atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, dan non IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergic disorders seperti food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIEs). Tes alergi, baik melalui kulit maupun IgE yang telah dikerjakan sekian lama masih dibebani dengan hasil positif palsu dan negatif palsu yang bermakna dengan manfaat terbatas pada beberapa alergi makanan. Selain menghindari, tidak terdapat terapi yang ampuh untuk alergi makanan. Berbagai imunoterapi telah dipelajari melalui jalur, subkutan, epikutan, oral dan sublingual yang hanya menghasilkan desensitisasi sementara dan dibebani dengan berbagai isu mengenai keamanannya. Agen biologik yang menghambat sitokin/interleukin (IL) dan molekul pada reaksi alergi makanan tampaknya merupakan pilihan yang menjanjikan. Anti IgE telah dipergunakan pada asma dan urtikaria kronis. Anti IL-4 dan IL-13 yang menghambat produksi IgE diindikasikan untuk dermatitis atopik. Anti eosinofil anti IL-5 berhasil menurunkan eksaserbasi asma. Berbagai agen biologik telah dipelajari untuk berbagai kondisi alergik dan imunologik, tetapi efektivitas dan kepraktisan terapi yang mahal ini untuk alergi makanan masih menjadi tanda tanya.Kata kunci: alergi makanan, reaksi alergi, terapi alergi makananAbstract: Food allergies have been increasing in prevalence for years affecting all ages. Disease severity and complexity have also increased, especially in the pediatric population. There are several types of reactions including: immunoglobulin-E (IgE) mediated allergies and anaphylaxis, food-triggered atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and non IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergic disorders such as FPIEs. Though allergy testing has been around for years, both skin and IgE testing are burdened by significant false positives and negatives, and are only useful in some food allergies. Avoidance is the sole therapy for food allergy. A variety of immunotherapies have been studied; subcutaneous, epicutaneous, oral, and sublingual. At best they only produce a temporary state of desensitization and have many safety issues. Examples of biologicals which block critical cytokines/interleukins (IL) in allergic conditions are Anti IgE, anti IL-4 and IL-13, and Anti eosinophils, Anti IL-5. Other biologicals are being studied for allergic conditions, but whether these expensive future treatments will be proven effective and practical in food allergy is unknown.Keywords: food allergy, allergic reaction, food allergy therapy


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