[Eosinophilic and lymphocytic colitis: different histological manifestations of a same process in patients with chronic diarrhea].

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the prevalence of increased number of eosinophils in colonic mucosa of patients with lymphocytic colitis (LC). 2) To determine the coexistence of eosinophilic colitis (EC) in patients with lymphocytic colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: slides of adult patients with cronic diarrhea with diagnosis of LC were reviewed between October 2009 and March 2012. The number of eosinophils was quantified.

RESULTS: Sixty eight patients with LC were included. Elevated eosinophils were found in 76.5 and in 51.4% a diagnosis of EC was established.

CONCLUSION: 3 out of 4 patients with LC had elevated eosinophils and 1 of 2 patients with LC had criteria for EC.