EoE should be diagnosed when there are symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field (or approximately 60 eosinophils per mm) on esophageal biopsy and after a comprehensive assessment of non-EoE disorders that could cause or potentially contribute to esophageal eosinophilia. The evidence suggests that PPIs are better classified as a treatment for esophageal eosinophilia that may be due to EoE than as a diagnostic criterion, and we have developed updated consensus criteria for EoE that reflect this change.

The AABB cannot recommend for or against platelet transfusion for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy who have intracranial hemorrhage (traumatic or spontaneous). (Grade: uncertain recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).

Background Mechanisms underlying esophageal remodeling with subepithelial fibrosis in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have not been delineated. Objectives To explore a role for Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in EoE, and whether EMT resolves with treatment. Methods Esophageal biopsies from 60 children were immunostained for epithelial (cytokeratin) and mesenchymal (vimentin) EMT biomarkers, and EMT quantified. Subjects studied had EoE (n=17), EoE-indeterminate (n=15), GERD (n=7) or normal esophagus (n=21). EMT was analyzed for relationships to diagnosis, eosinophils, and indices of subepithelial fibrosis, eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) and TGF-β immunostaining. EMT was assessed in pre- and post-treatment biopsies from 18 EoE subjects treated with elemental diet, six-food elimination diet, or topical corticosteroids (n=6/group). Results TGF-β1 treatment of esophageal epithelial cells in vitro for 24hrs induced upregulation of mesenchymal genes characteristic of EMT including N-cadherin (3.3-fold), vimentin (2.1-fold) and fibronectin (7.5-fold). EMT in esophageal biopsies was associated with EoE (or indeterminate EoE), but not GERD or normal esophagus, and was correlated to eosinophils (r=0.691), EPX (r=0.738) and TGF-β (r=0.520) immunostaining, and fibrosis (r=0.644) indices. EMT resolved with EoE treatments that induced clinicopathologic remission with reduced eosinophils. EMT decreased significantly post-treatment by 74.1% overall in the 18 treated EoE subjects; pre- vs. post-treatment EMT scores–3.17±0.82 vs. 0.82±0.39 (p<0.001), with similar decreases within treatment groups. Pre-/post-treatment EMT was strongly correlated with eosinophils for combined (r=0.804, p< 0.001) and individual treatment groups. Conclusions EMT likely contributes to subepithelial fibrosis in EoE, resolves with treatments that decrease esophageal inflammation, and its resolution correlates with decreased numbers of esophageal eosinophils.

ObjectiveEosinophil predominant inflammation characterises histological features of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). Endoscopy with biopsy is currently the only method to assess oesophageal mucosal inflammation in EoE. We hypothesised that measurements of luminal eosinophil-derived proteins would correlate with oesophageal mucosal inflammation in children with EoE.DesignThe Enterotest diagnostic device was used to develop an oesophageal string test (EST) as a minimally invasive clinical device. EST samples and oesophageal mucosal biopsies were obtained from children undergoing upper endoscopy for clinically defined indications. Eosinophil-derived proteins including eosinophil secondary granule proteins (major basic protein-1, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil peroxidase) and Charcot–Leyden crystal protein/galectin-10 were measured by ELISA in luminal effluents eluted from ESTs and extracts of mucosal biopsies.ResultsESTs were performed in 41 children with active EoE (n=14), EoE in remission (n=8), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (n=4) and controls with normal oesophagus (n=15). EST measurement of eosinophil-derived protein biomarkers significantly distinguished between children with active EoE, treated EoE in remission, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and normal oesophagus. Levels of luminal eosinophil-derived proteins in EST samples significantly correlated with peak and mean oesophageal eosinophils/high power field (HPF), eosinophil peroxidase indices and levels of the same eosinophil-derived proteins in extracts of oesophageal biopsies.ConclusionsThe presence of eosinophil-derived proteins in luminal secretions is reflective of mucosal inflammation in children with EoE. The EST is a novel, minimally invasive device for measuring oesophageal eosinophilic inflammation in children with EoE.

National Institutes of Health.

Background and Aims Sequelae of Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) include food impaction and esophageal stricture. Duration of inflammation is a predicted risk factor; however, complications remain unpredictable. Studies using the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) have demonstrated decreased distensibility of the esophagus in adult patients with EoE. Since the impact of inflammation on the developing esophagus is unknown, we investigated esophageal distensibility in a pediatric cohort to determine the effect of age, ongoing inflammation and fibrotic features on distensibility. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study at two tertiary pediatric institutions. Subjects underwent FLIP evaluation during endoscopy to determine distensibility of the esophagus. During stepwise distension, simultaneous intrabag pressure and 16 channels of cross sectional areas were measured. The minimal diameter at maximal esophageal distention at an intrabag pressure of 40 mmHg was identified. Distensibility was compared between EoE and non-EoE subjects and between clinical variables within the EoE cohort. Potential confounding variables were identified. Results Forty-four non-EoE and 88 EoE subjects aged 3–18 years were evaluated. Age positively correlated with esophageal distensibility in the non-EoE cohort, but this trend was not observed in the EoE population. Subjects with EoE had reduced distensibility even after adjusting for age. Active inflammation (eosinophils > 15 eos/hpf), histologic lamina propria fibrosis and various features of a fibrotic phenotype (stricture, food impaction, circumferential rings on endoscopy) were associated with decreased distensibility within the EoE cohort. FLIP was safe, feasible and well tolerated. Conclusions These findings suggest that remodeling occurs in the pediatric EoE population, warranting early diagnosis and initiation of therapy prior to the onset of disease complications.

FD is prevalent in children with EGIDs often presenting as maladaptive learned feeding behaviors with altered mealtime dynamics and physical difficulties in eating mechanics. FD can persist even after eosinophilic inflammation is successfully treated. Awareness of the increased prevalence of FD in children with EGIDs with enable earlier recognition of this problem, resulting in a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan with the desired outcome of improving the development, feeding, and nutrition of these children.

Objective Differentiation between the common etiologies of dense esophageal eosinophilia such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), can be difficult. We hypothesized that histologic features may provide diagnostic clues concerning the etiology of esophageal eosinophilia. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 204 children with the diagnosis of esophagitis characterized by ≥ 15 eos/ HPF in at least one biopsy. We then restricted our analysis to subjects who had received at least 8 weeks of only proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) followed by endoscopy and who had a clinicopathologic response to this treatment. Symptoms, endoscopic findings, and pathologic descriptions were reviewed and an eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) index was determined to assess for degranulation/eosinophil activation. Results Of the 204 identified charts, 7 subjects identified met the inclusion criteria. Five of these 7 patients showed a clinicopathologic response to PPIs after their follow up endoscopy, (mean peak eosinophil count- 92 vs 5 eos/ HPF, and EPX index-39.2 vs 14.6, pre- and post-treatment respectively). Two patients experienced initial resolution of symptoms and esophageal eosinophilia with PPI therapy however; within 17–23 months redeveloped symptoms and esophageal eosinophilia while on PPI therapy at the time of a third endoscopy (mean peak eosinophil count- 40 vs 11 vs 36 eos / HPF, and EPX index- 44 vs 21 vs 36.5, pre-, post- and post-treatment respectively). No clinicopathologic features or degranulation patterns differentiated subjects with GERD / PPI responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPIREE) from those who had transient response to PPI treatment. Conclusions No clinicopathologic features differentiated subjects who responded to PPI treatment. PPI treatment can be helpful to exclude GERD and PPIREE but long-term follow up is critical in the management of esophagitis.