Emerging questions regarding eosinophil's role in the esophago-gastrointestinal tract.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is either increasing in frequency or being better recognized. Whichever is the case, clinical needs to meet this new challenge include establishing diagnostic criteria, identifying the natural history and determining effective, tolerable treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS: During the last 5 years, the emergence of eosinophilic esophagitis stimulated many case series; the new frontiers relate to understanding disease pathogenesis and maintenance treatments. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases involving the rest of the gastrointestinal tract pose new challenges in understanding the role of eosinophils in intestinal dysmotility and protein loss.

SUMMARY: This review will focus on new clinical developments in the field of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and the contribution of basic studies in understanding eosinophils impact on gastrointestinal inflammation.