ABSTRACT
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disease that is isolated to the esophagus and uniquely allergen mediated. Its clinical and histological signatures are esophageal dysfunction stemming from inflammation driven by accumulation of eosinophils that can progress to fibrosis and stricture. In this chapter, the authors examine the history of the disease, incidence and prevalence, pathology, clinical hallmarks, endoscopic features, and diagnostic pathways. They explore available options for treatment and specifically outline strategies to simplify dietary approaches for disease management. One of the more compelling aspects of the disease is that it is an entirely unique form of allergy. Traditional allergies exist in terms of exaggerated immune response by immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as IgE or chronic autoimmune conditions propagated by antigen-specific T cells. Lastly, studies should target identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and disease monitoring, as well as less invasive office-based methods for evaluating histologic response that do not require endoscopy.
