Abstract
The pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis has not been clarified. A possible mechanism is allergy-related, caused by activation of eosinophils and mast cells through increased production of Th2 type cytokines, such as IL-5, -13, -15, and eotaxins. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis most frequently occurs in middle-aged males and females with a history of other allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, while their most frequent complaints are abdominal pain and diarrhea. More than 80% of these cases show peripheral blood leukocytosis and eosinophilia. Endoscopic examinations show various types of mucosal abnormalities, such as erosions, redness, and edema on the mucosa invaded by eosinophils. Multiple endoscopic biopsies are necessary for diagnosis, since the endoscopic abnormalities revealed are not specific for eosinophilic gastroenteritis. In patients with subserosal lesions, ascites with a large number of eosinophils is frequently found. Glucocorticoid hormone administration is the most widely used treatment for this pathological condition. Co-administration of various kinds of anti-allergic drugs is given to decrease the doses of glucocorticoids, as the latter is frequently accompanied by disease recurrence or exacerbation.
