Successful food elimination therapy in adult eosinophilic esophagitis: not all patients are the same.

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated, esophageal disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction and eosinophilic inflammation, manifested mainly as dysphagia and frequent food impaction. EoE is recognized into the spectrum of food allergy, but food sensitization studies used not to be efficient to identify the triggering food, because of what patients are frequently treated with topic steroids or even endoscopic esophageal dilation. Herein, we describe 3 adult patients-all suffering from EoE, but with different sensitization patterns-who were treated successfully with elimination diets. Allergy tests indicated no food sensitization for patient 1, but challenge with milk and wheat were positive. Food IgE-mediated allergies were found in patients 2 and 3; inflammation was resolved with food elimination. Lack of food allergy sensitization does not exclude the possibility of food allergies as a cause of EoE; elimination diets must therefore be considered as an effective diagnostic and treatment tool.

• Authors: Jesús González-Cervera, Teresa Angueira, Benito Rodriguez-Domínguez, Angel Arias, José Luis Yagüe-Compadre, Alfredo J Lucendo
• Journal: Journal of clinical gastroenterology (J Clin Gastroenterol) 2012 Nov-Dec Vol. 46 Issue 10 Pg. 855-8 ISSN: 1539-2031 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22334220 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Dairy Products (adverse effects)
• Edible Grain (adverse effects)
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis (diet therapy, immunology)
• Fabaceae (adverse effects)
• Female
• Food Hypersensitivity (complications, immunology)
• Humans
• Male