$Unique_ID{BRK03765} $Pretitle{} $Title{Gastroenteritis, Eosinophilic} $Subject{Gastroenteritis Eosinophilic EG Pattern I Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Pattern II Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Pattern III Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Whipple's Disease Celiac Sprue Tropical Sprue Mastocytosis Crohn's Disease} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 733: Gastroenteritis, Eosinophilic ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms EG Disorder Subdivisions Pattern I Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Pattern II Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Pattern III Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Whipple's Disease Celiac Sprue Tropical Sprue Mastocytosis Crohn's Disease General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is a rare digestive disease characterized by an abnormal infiltration of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the lining of the stomach, small intestines and/or large intestine. Symptoms Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is a rare digestive disease characterized by a distinct infiltration of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) into the lining of the stomach, small intestines and/or large intestine. This disorder is classified into three separate clinical patterns. Pattern I Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis has extensive infiltration of eosinophils in the area below the mucous membrane (submucosa) and muscle wall. It is more commonly seen in the stomach (gastric antrum) but may also affect the small intestine or colon. Symptoms of this form of the disease may include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It may cause an obstruction and can be diagnosed by barium X-Ray studies. Pattern II Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is characterized by eosinophil infiltration of the mucous and submucosal membranes. In children it usually affects the lining of the stomach, while in adults it tends to affect the small intestine. It is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal and/or back pain, swelling (edema) and mild to moderate inadequate absorption of nutrients (malabsorption). Pattern III is the rarest type of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. It is usually seen in the subserosal and serosal membranes of the stomach and is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites). This fluid contains many of these specific white cells (eosinophils) and can infiltrate the serous membrane of the lungs (pleural effusion). Symptoms of this form of the disease may include chest pain, fever, shortness of breath and limited motion of the chest wall. Causes The exact cause of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is unknown. Some cases of this disease may be caused by a hypersensitivity to certain foods or other unknown allergens. Affected Population Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is a very rare disease that affects males and females in equal numbers. People with a history of allergies, eczema, and seasonal asthma are more likely to develop this disease. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Whipple's Disease is an uncommon digestive disorder of unknown origin. This disease affects the lining of the small intestine resulting in malabsorption. The disorder may also affect other organs of the body such as the heart, lung, brain, joints, eye and gastrointestinal tract. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Whipple" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Celiac Sprue is a chronic, hereditary, intestinal malabsorption disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten. The illness is characterized by a flat jejunal (part of the intestine) mucosa. Clinical and/or histologic improvement of symptoms follow withdrawal of dietary gluten. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Celiac" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Mastocytosis is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal accumulations of specific cells (mast cells) normally found in connective tissue. The liver, spleen, lungs, bone, skin and sometimes the membrane surrounding the brain and spine (meninges) may be affected. Cases beginning during adulthood tend to involve the inner organs more than the skin, whereas during childhood, the condition is often marked by skin manifestations with minimal organ involvement. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Mastocytosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Tropical Sprue is characterized by malabsorption, multiple nutritional deficiencies, and abnormalities in the small bowel mucosa. The exact cause of Tropical Sprue is unknown. It appears to be acquired and related to environmental and nutritional conditions. It is most prevalent in the Caribbean, South India and Southeast Asia. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Tropical Sprue" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Crohn's Disease, also known as ileitis, regional enteritis, or granulomatous colitis, is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by severe, often granulomatous, chronic inflammation of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, the ileum and is affected. Crohn's disease can be difficult to manage, but mortality due to the disease itself or to complications from the disease is low. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Crohn's" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Therapies: Standard The corticosteroid drug prednisone is usually an effective treatment for Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. Eliminating foods that one is allergic to may prove helpful in some cases of this disease. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases where there is an obstruction of the intestines. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Therapies: Investigational At the present time, a study is being conducted on the effectiveness of the membrane stabilizing drug sodium chromoglycate. More research must be conducted to determine long-term safety and effectiveness of this drug. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through January 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse Box NDIC Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 468-2162 References INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in chief; Little Brown and Co., 1987. Pp. 136. PULMONARY DISEASES AND DISORDERS, Volume 3, 2nd Ed.: Alfred P. Fishman M.D., ed.-in-chief; McGraw -Hill Book Co., 1980. Pp. 2123. NEAR FATAL EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS RESPONDING TO ORAL SODIUM CHROMOGLYATE. R. Moots, et al.; GUT (September 1988, issue 29 (9)). Pp. 1282-185. EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS; ULTRASTRUCTURAL EVIDENCE FOR A SELECTIVE RELEASE OF EOSINOPHIL MAJOR BASIC PROTEIN. G. Torpier, et al.; CLIN EXP IMMUNOL (December 1988, issue 74 (3)). Pp. 404-408. EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS PRESENTING WITH BILIARY AND DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION. M. Rumans, et al.; AM GASTROENTEROL (August 1987, issue 82 (8)). Pp. 775-778.