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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007
September 20, 2007
Anti-IgE treatment of eosinophil-much associated gastrointestinal diseases
Summary
Background - There has been increasing recognition of eosinophil associated gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) as responsible for previously undiagnosed G-I problems. Atopy is commonly associated with such EGID.
Findings - Foroughi et al of the NIH investigated the role of IgE in EGID and the effects of omalizumab (anti-IgE) therapy given to EGID patients every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Such therapy was followed by a marked decrease in serum free IgE levels and basophil expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (p<0.005). Blood eosinophil levels decreased significantly while tissue eosinophil levels decreased modestly in stomach/duodenum but were unchanged in the esophagus. G-I symptom scores decreased 70%.
Reference
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:594-601
Editor's Comments
These findings are certainly interesting and of potential importance in EGID where prior therapy has left much to be desired. It is unclear to me how symptoms were decreased more frequently than was the tissue eosinophilia. Not surprisingly, allergen skin test reactivity and in vitro allergen induced histamine release decreased considerably during the anti-IgE therapy.
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