Eosinophilic Esophagitis: immunological perspectives and therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic disease characterized by the accumulation of eosinophils in the esophageal wall, causing inflammation and damage to the esophageal mucosa, which can affect swallowing ability. Despite being an idiopathic disease, it is believed that several factors may trigger the overproduction of eosinophils. Diagnosis is made through endoscopy, where the esophageal mucosa is examined, and a biopsy is taken to detect the presence of eosinophils in the esophageal tissue. Treatment is multidisciplinary, including dietary modifications (such as restricting foods that trigger the inflammatory response) and pharmacological therapy. In severe cases, esophageal dilations may also be considered to relieve esophageal narrowing.Methods: Data were collected from articles indexed in Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Elsevier, considering bibliographies in English and Spanish from 2017 to 2024. For this investigation, 72 articles were used as references.Results: After analyzing the selected articles, important aspects of eosinophilic esophagitis were identified. Various studies concluded that the prevalence of this pathology has increased in recent years, with a higher incidence of cases in Western countries, suggesting a possible link to environmental and dietary factors. This disease affects both children and adults, with a higher frequency in men.Conclusions: The analysis of the bibliographic sources used in the research reveals that, despite being discovered just over 30 years ago, eosinophilic esophagitis remains an idiopathic disease, affecting a diverse population regardless of age. Studies show that the exact reasons why certain individuals are more susceptible than others have not been determined, suggesting a complex interaction between genetic, immunological, and environmental factors.