Eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon condition affecting one or more segments of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the stomach and small bowell, the principal changes being a variable degree of both oedema and eosinophilic infiltration. Occurring at any age it is commonest in the third decade, is often associated with abdominal pain and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and responds to steroids: allergy or asthma occurs in some 25% of patients. The oedema and eosinophilia involve the submucosa generally but any layer of the gut may be affected. The aetiology is discussed: no allergic or other cause has been determined and it is probable that further knowledge of the role of the eosinophil may be necessary before the precise nature of the lesion can be understood. An association of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with malabsorptive or protein-losing enteropathies is noted.