Quantitative Analysis of Distribution of the Gastrointestinal Tract Eosinophils in Childhood Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders

Practical concepts and strategies for early diagnosis and management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders in East-Asian children

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are emerging as significant concerns in the Korean pediatric population and transitioning from rare to more commonly diagnosed conditions. This review discusses the increasing prevalence of EGID among children and adolescents and highlights the complexities involved in its diagnosis and management. This review begins with a thorough examination of the diverse clinical presentations of EGIDs in Korean children, with a special focus on common gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool. Additionally, we explored extraintestinal manifestations, including growth failure, malnutrition, and associated allergic comorbidities, highlighting their importance in the clinical landscape of EGIDs. Because of its subtle and overlapping symptoms with those of other gastrointestinal disorders, EGID is frequently underdiagnosed. Addressing this challenge requires maintaining a high index of suspicion and employing a comprehensive diagnostic approach to differentiating EGID from functional gastrointestinal disorders and other inflammatory or systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. The optimal management of EGID requires a collaborative multidisciplinary strategy that includes dietary management, regular monitoring, and tailored medical interventions. This review emphasizes the importance of proactive patient and caregiver education and regular follow-ups to improve long-term outcomes in affected children. Enhanced awareness among healthcare providers and better educational resources for families are critical for the early identification and effective management of EGID among pediatric patients.

Role of peripheral and tissue eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID), and functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD) present with nonspecific gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms clinically and also have some similarities in pathogeneses associated with eosinophils. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of eosinophils in IBD compared to EGID and FAPD by investigating eosinophils in peripheral blood and GI tissue and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP).

METHODS

Pediatric patients with chronic GI symptoms who underwent endoscopic biopsies were enrolled. Complete blood cell counts, inflammatory markers, immunoglobulin E (IgE), serum ECP levels, and endoscopic and histopathologic findings were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 387 patients were included: 179 with EGID, 107 with IBDs, and 82 with FAPD. Peripheral absolute eosinophil count (AEC), total IgE, and serum ECP were significantly higher in both IBD and EGID than in FAPD (all p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were noted among the three groups in tissue eosinophil counts in each segment of GI tract except for the esophagus (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in tissue eosinophil counts in the ascending, sigmoid colon, and rectum between EGID and IBD (p < 0.05). Peripheral and tissue eosinophils in the stomach and duodenum revealed positive correlation in both EGID and IBD (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated eosinophil-related markers, as well as increased tissue eosinophilic infiltration in the affected areas of the GI tract in both IBD and EGID compared to FAPD, suggest that eosinophils might play a common important role in the pathogeneses of both diseases.

Serum Eosinophilic Cationic Protein as a Useful Noninvasive Marker of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease in Children

Purpose

Recently, the prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) has shown an increasing trend worldwide. As the diagnosis of EGID requires invasive endoscopy with biopsy, noninvasive markers for detecting EGID in suspected patients, particularly children, are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) beyond peripheral eosinophil counts in pediatric patients with EGID.

Methods

Overall, 156 children diagnosed with EGID were enrolled and 150 children with functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD) were recruited as controls. All participants underwent endoscopic biopsy in each segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and serum ECP measurement, as well as peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil count.

Results

Comparing EGID (n=156) with FAPD (n=150) patients, serum ECP levels were significantly higher in pediatric patients with EGID than in those with FAPD (25.8±28.6 µg/L vs. 19.5±21.0 µg/L, p=0.007), while there was no significant difference in peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil counts between the two groups. Serum ECP levels were correlated with peripheral eosinophil percent (r=0.593, p<0.001) and the absolute eosinophil count (r=0.660, p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of serum ECP for pediatric EGID was 10.5 µg/mL, with a sensitivity of 69.9% and a specificity of 43.4% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.562.

Conclusion

The combination of serum ECP levels and peripheral eosinophil counts, when employed with appropriated thresholds, could serve as a valuable noninvasive biomarker to distinguish between EGID and FAPD in pediatric patients manifesting GI symptoms.

Joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Guidelines on Childhood Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Beyond Eosinophilic Esophagitis

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders beyond eosinophilic esophagitis (non-EoE EGIDs) are rare chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and histologic findings of eosinophilic inflammation after exclusion of a secondary cause or systemic disease. Currently, no guidelines exist for the evaluation of non-EoE EGIDs. Therefore, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) formed a task force group to provide consensus guidelines for childhood non-EoE EGIDs.

METHODS

The working group was composed of pediatric gastroenterologists, adult gastroenterologists, allergists/immunologists, and pathologists. An extensive electronic literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted up to February 2022. General methodology was used in the formulation of recommendations according to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to meet current standards of evidence assessment.

RESULTS

The guidelines provide information on the current concept of non-EoE EGIDs, disease pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and disease surveillance procedures, and current treatment options. Thirty-four statements based on available evidence and 41 recommendations based on expert opinion and best clinical practices were developed.

CONCLUSION

Non-EoE EGIDs literature is limited in scope and depth, making clear recommendations difficult. These consensus-based clinical practice guidelines are intended to assist clinicians caring for children affected by non-EoE EGIDs and to facilitate high-quality randomized controlled trials of various treatment modalities using standardized, uniform disease definitions.

Determination of Optimal Eosinophil Thresholds for Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Gastritis and Duodenitis: A Pooled Analysis of 4 Prospective Studies

INTRODUCTION

Consensus is lacking regarding the number of eosinophils (eos) required for the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastritis (EoG) and eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD). In addition, thresholds that require multiple high-power fields (HPFs) may not be practical for clinical use, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses. This pooled analysis of 4 prospective studies assessed thresholds for multiple and single HPFs used to diagnose EoG and EoD.

METHODS

Studies included the phase 2 ENIGMA1, the phase 3 ENIGMA2, an EoG/EoD prevalence study and a healthy volunteer study. Eos were quantified in the epithelium and lamina propria for controls and symptomatic participants. Symptomatic participants were further divided by histologic diagnosis of EoG/EoD. Peak eos counts were assessed, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed to identify eos cutoffs for detection of EoG/EoD using the Youden index and sensitivity and specificity equality approaches.

RESULTS

Based on the highest specificity analysis in 740 patients, the optimal eos threshold was determined to be 20 eos/HPF in 5 gastric HPFs for EoG (71% sensitivity and 94% specificity) and 33 eos/HPF in 3 duodenal HPFs for EoD (49% sensitivity and 100% specificity). For single-field analysis, the optimal eos thresholds were 33 eos/HPF (EoG) and 37 eos/HPF (EoD), both corresponding to 93% sensitivity and 93% specificity.

DISCUSSION

Highly specific single gastric and duodenal HPF thresholds may have more clinical applicability than thresholds requiring multiple HPFs and could better facilitate development of practical histopathologic guidelines to aid pathologists and clinicians in the detection and diagnosis of EoG and/or EoD.

A unicentric cross-sectional observational study on chronic intestinal inflammation in total colonic aganglionosis: beware of an underestimated condition

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are known to occur in association with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Most of cases are represented by Crohn Disease (CD) occurring in patients with Total Colonic Aganglionosis (TCSA) with an estimated prevalence of around 2%. Based on these considerations and on a number of provisional data belonging to our Center for Digestive Diseases, we developed a unicentric cross-sectional observational study aimed at describing phenotype, genotype, pathology and metagenomics of all patients with TCSA and Crohn-like lesions.

RESULTS

Out of a series of 62 eligible TCSA patients, 48 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Ten patients did not complete the study due to non-compliance or withdrawal of consent and were subsequently dropped out. A total of 38 patients completed the study. All patients were tested for chronic intestinal inflammation by a combination of fecal calprotectine (FC) or occult fecal blood (OFB) and underwent fecal metagenomics. Nineteen (50%) tested positive for FC, OFB, or both and subsequently underwent retrograde ileoscopy. Fourteen patients (36.8%) presented Crohn-like lesions, occurring after a median of 11.5 years after surgery (range 8 months - 21.5 years). No statistically significant differences regarding demographic, phenotype and genotype were observed comparing patients with and without lesions, except for need for blood transfusion that was more frequent in those with lesions. Faecal microbiome of patients with lesions (not that of caregivers) was less biodiverse and characterized by a reduction of Bacteroidetes, and an overabundance of Proteobacteria. FC tested negative in 3/14 patients with lesions (21%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated an impressive 10-folds higher incidence of chronic inflammation in TCSA. Up to 50% of patients may develop IBD-like lesions postoperatively. Nonetheless, we failed in identifying specific risk factors to be used to implement prevention strategies. Based on the results of our study, we suggest screening all TCSA patients with retrograde ileoscopy regardless of FC/OFB values. The frequency of endoscopic assessments and the role of FC/OFB screening in prompting endoscopy is yet to be determined.

A Quantitative Assessment of Mucosal Eosinophils in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Children Without Detectable Organic Disease

BACKGROUND

Accurate measurements of mucosal eosinophil concentrations in gastrointestinal tracts of healthy children are necessary to differentiate health and disease states in general, and better define eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.

STUDY

We retrospectively reviewed gastrointestinal biopsies from children with macroscopically normal endoscopies, who, after a minimal follow-up of one year, were not diagnosed with any organic disease. Peak eosinophil concentrations and distributions were assessed from each segment of the gastrointestinal tract.

RESULTS

Three centers (Italy, United Kingdom, and Israel) contributed 202 patients (median age 13 years IQR 9.5-15.5, range 1-18 years). Median (IQR, range) eosinophil concentrations (eos/mm²) were: esophagus 0 (0-0, 0-84), stomach 0 (0-4, 0-84), duodenal bulb 20 (13-30, 7-67), second part of duodenum 20 (13-29, 0-105), terminal ileum 29 (14-51, 0-247), cecum 53 (37-89, 10-232), ascending colon 55 (25-84, 0-236), transverse colon 38 (21-67, 4-181), descending colon 29 (17-59, 0-114), sigmoid colon 25 (13-40, 0-215) and rectum 13 (4-28, 0-152). Significant geographical variance was present, however, no differences in eosinophil concentrations were identified between children with resolving symptoms vs. those with functional diagnoses, nor across age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized eosinophil concentrations from the gastrointestinal tracts of children without organic disease will serve to better define both health and disease states. No differences were found between resolved symptoms vs. functional diagnoses nor between age groups in this pediatric cohort.

Mast Cell and Eosinophil Counts in Gastric and Duodenal Biopsy Specimens From Patients With and Without Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Mast cells are believed to contribute to the development of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs). We quantified mast cells and eosinophils in biopsy specimens from patients with EGIDs and without known esophageal or gastrointestinal disease to investigate associations between these cell types and EGID and its features.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with EGID (n = 52) and of children and adults who underwent upper endoscopy and were found to have no evidence of gastrointestinal or systemic conditions (n = 123). We re-reviewed archived gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens to quantify mast cells (by tryptase immunohistochemistry) and eosinophils. We calculated the specificity of cell count thresholds for identification of patients with EGIDs and evaluated the correlation between mast cell and eosinophil counts and clinical and endoscopic features.

RESULTS

In the gastric biopsy specimens from patients without esophageal or gastrointestinal diseases, the mean mast cell count was 18.1 ± 7.2 cells per high-power field (hpf), and the peak mast cell count was 21.9 ± 8.2 cells/hpf. In the duodenal biopsy specimens from patients without esophageal or gastrointestinal diseases, the mean mast cell count was 23.6 ± 8.1 cells/hpf and the peak mast cell count was 28.1 ± 9.3 cells/hpf. The mean and peak eosinophil counts in gastric biopsy specimens from patients without disease were 3.8 ± 3.6 eosinophils/hpf and 5.8 ± 5.0 eosinophils/hpf; the mean and peak eosinophil counts in duodenal biopsy specimens were 14.6 ± 8.9 eosinophils/hpf and 19.5 ± 11.0 eosinophils/hpf. A mean count of 20 eosinophils/hpf in gastric biopsy specimens or 30 eosinophils/hpf in duodenal biopsy specimens identified patients with EGIDs with high specificity. Gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens from patients with EGIDs had significant increases in mean mast cell counts compared with biopsy specimens from patients without EGIDs. There was a correlation between mean mast cell and eosinophil counts in duodenal biopsy specimens (R = 0.47; P = .01). The mean mast cell and eosinophil counts did not correlate with symptoms or endoscopic features of EGIDs.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified thresholds for each cell type that identified patients with EGIDs with 100% specificity. The increased numbers of mast cells and eosinophils in gastric and duodenal tissues from patients with EGIDs supports the concept that these cell types are involved in pathogenesis. However, cell counts are not associated with symptoms or endoscopic features of EGIDs.

The relationship between mucosal inflammatory cells, specific symptoms, and psychological functioning in youth with irritable bowel syndrome

Both mucosal inflammation and psychologic dysfunction have been implicated in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While some relationships between inflammation (mast cells and eosinophils) and depression have been reported in adults with IBS, relationships between inflammation and psychologic function have not been studied in children and adolescents. The aims of the current study were to: (1) assess densities of colonic mast cells, eosinophils, and TH17 cells in youth with IBS; and, (2) explore relationships between these cells and specific IBS symptoms and psychologic functioning. Utilizing previously obtained biopsies from the descending and rectosigmoid colons, densities were determined for mast cells, eosinophils, and TH17 cells, respectively, in 37 youth with IBS and 10 controls. In IBS patients, densities were assessed in relation to specific IBS symptoms and in relation to self-report anxiety and depression scores. In both the descending and rectosigmoid colons, densities of mast cells, eosinophils, and TH17 cells were higher in IBS patients as compared to controls. In IBS patients, rectosigmoid mast cell density was higher in those reporting pain relief with defecation. Also, in IBS patients, rectosigmoid eosinophilia was associated with higher anxiety scores and eosinophil density correlated with depression scores. In the descending colon, eosinophil and mast cell densities both correlated with depression scores. In conclusion, mucosal inflammation (mast cells and eosinophils) is associated with pain relief with defecation and with anxiety and depression in youth with IBS.

Distribution of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract of children with no organic disease

Background

This study aimed to assess the eosinophil (eos) density of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in children undergoing endoscopic procedures following an extensive workup, without diagnosis of an organic disease.

Methods

Biopsies from GI endoscopies performed at 3 major children’s hospitals (Athens, Madrid and Rome), between January 2012 and June 2018, were evaluated by a single pathologist in each center. Peak eos counts were expressed /high power field and /mm². Other histological abnormalities were also reported.

Results

A total of 111 children (median age 11 years; 48 boys) underwent upper endoscopy (333 biopsies), while 44 (median age 12; 25 boys) underwent ileocolonoscopy (262 biopsies). The median (interquartile range) eos/mm² were as follows: esophagus 0 (0-0); stomach 10.2 (3.3-15.3); duodenum 56.1 (26.1-86.7); ileum 61.2 (49.0-91.8); cecum 76.5 (40.9-99.7); ascending colon 73.9 (49.5-131.4); transverse colon 66.3 (40.8-91.5); descending colon 66.3 (30.6-81.6); sigmoid colon 39.2 (27.8-51.0); and rectum 25.5 (9.8-45.8). Geographical variations in GI tissue eos counts were found amongst the participating centers, but the causative factors need further evaluation. Functional GI disorders according to the Rome IV criteria were diagnosed in 73 children (37 boys, median age 13 years). No differences were found between children with or without functional GI disorder diagnosis, with regard to eos density in the GI tract.

Conclusion

The reported peak counts of GI tissue eos in children with no organic diseases provide normative values that may be useful in the evaluation of children with GI symptoms suggestive of eosinophilic GI disorders.

Fecal Calprotectin as a Useful Non-Invasive Screening Marker for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder in Korean Children

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EoGID) is an emerging disease condition in Korean children, but its diagnosis requires invasive endoscopic biopsies. Fecal calprotectin (FCal) is a noninvasive biomarker for intestinal inflammation to differentiate organic gastrointestinal diseases from functional abdominal pain disorder. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FCal and to determine the optimal cutoff to differentiate EoGID from functional abdominal pain disorder.

METHODS

A total of 253 children (122 boys, 131 girls; mean age 12.2 ± 3.6, range 2.9-17.8 years) who underwent endoscopy with biopsies for chronic gastrointestinal symptoms were recruited, except for 38 children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, and divided into EoGID (n = 67) and functional abdominal pain disorder (n = 186). FCal, white blood cell (WBC) counts, eosinophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in all subjects at initial diagnosis.

RESULTS

FCal levels weakly correlated with WBC (r = 0.127, P = 0.044) and CRP (r = 0.126, P = 0.040) but not with ESR and eosinophil count. FCal levels were significantly higher in the EoGID group than in the functional abdominal pain disorder group (mean 179.5 ± 242.9 mg/kg vs. 44.3 ± 68.1 mg/kg; P < 0.001), while WBC, ESR, CRP, and eosinophil count did not differ between the two groups (all P > 0.05). An optimal cutoff of FCal 73.2 mg/kg distinguished EoGID from functional abdominal pain disorder with a sensitivity of 50.7% and a specificity of 84.6%.

CONCLUSION

FCal is a useful and reliable noninvasive marker for differentiating EoGID from functional abdominal pain disorder in Korean children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms when optimal cutoffs are applied.

Eosinophil counts in colonic tissue eosinophilia: Investigating specificity and sensitivity of cutoff points and comparing two counting methods

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the specificity and sensitivity of eosinophil cutoff points defining the colonic tissue eosinophilia (TE) and compare the yield of reporting the highest count versus the mean of five high-power fields (HPFs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and seventy-one cases of colonic TE, including 22 primary eosinophilic colitis (PEC) cases, were compared to one hundred and twenty-one normal controls in the University of Jordan. The highest eosinophil count (EC) and the mean of five HPFs were recorded. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to find the cutoff point with the best sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

There was no significant advantage of counting five fields over counting the most densely populated HPF. Using 30 eosinophils per HPF achieved 80% sensitivity and 65% specificity. This point is close to the mean in normal controls plus one standard deviation (SD) (29 per HPF). However, there was overlap between normal counts and TE, using 30 as a cutoff point resulted in 35% false-positive rate. There was no reliable cutoff point to differentiate PEC from secondary TE.

CONCLUSION

We recommend reporting the highest EC in colonic biopsies and using 30 as a cutoff point, bearing in mind the overlap with normal and correlating with the clinical team to not treat asymptomatic patients. Clinicopathological correlation is essential to separate PEC from secondary TE.