A novel histologic scoring system to evaluate mucosal biopsies from patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by medically/surgically-resistant gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and dense squamous eosinophilia. Studies suggest that histologic assessment of esophageal eosinophilia alone cannot reliably separate patients with EoE from those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Our goal was to develop an assay to identify EoE patients and perhaps differentiate EoE from other causes of esophageal eosinophilia.

Methods

A monoclonal antibody specific for an eosinophil secondary granule protein (eosinophil peroxidase [EPX]) was developed and shown to specifically identify intact eosinophils and detect eosinophil degranulation in formalin-fixed specimens. A histopathologic scoring algorithm was developed to analyze dat

SUBMITTER: Protheroe C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2706311 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature