Eosinophilic Enterocolitis: An Exceedingly Rare Entity

Abstract

Eosinophilic enterocolitis is an exceptionally rare condition with few described cases in the literature, representing the least frequent manifestation of the wide spectrum of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. We describe a case of a young male patient presenting with a panmural form of the disease, manifested by abdominal pain, distention, and watery diarrhea with 4 days of evolution, bowel wall thickening, and ascites. Eosinophilic ascites is probably the most unusual presentation form of this entity. It poses a diagnostic challenge because of its nonspecific symptoms, associated with the absence of standardized histological criteria, hence requiring a high level of suspicion. There is also no consensus regarding treatment: it should be individualized according to the patient's age and severity of symptoms.

Eosinophilic enterocolitis: A rare nosological entity

“…They probably result from a complex interaction between environment, genetics and immunological factors. 5 Several epidemiological studies suggest an allergic component, in particular food allergies, which elicits a Th2-type immune response leading to the production of cytokines, such as interleukins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxins-3. This results in intestinal eosinophilia, which further causes local inflammation by releasing toxic cationic proteins.…”

Eosinophilic enterocolitis: A rare nosological entity

“…The pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders is not well understood. They probably result from a complex interaction between environment, genetics and immunological factors [5]. Several epidemiological studies suggest an allergic component, in particular food allergies, which elicits a Th2type immune response leading to the production of cytokines, such as interleukins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxins-3.…”

Eosinophilic Enterocolitis: A Rare Nosological Entity

“…The pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders is not well understood. They probably result from a complex interaction between environment, genetics and immunological factors [5]. Several epidemiological studies suggest an allergic component, in particular food allergies, which elicits a Th2-type immune response leading to the production of cytokines, such as interleukins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxins-3.…”