Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in food allergy

A 23-year-old woman suffered from chronic abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. The clinical symptoms particulary in creased after ingestion of several foods. Laboratory investigation revealed a moderate eosinophilia in peripheral blood, elevated serum IgE-level and specific IgE against food allergens in radioallergosorbent testing. The patient exhibited exsudative ascites with eosinophiles. CT scan revealed a thickened wall of the small bowel. There was no evidence oi a parasitic or extraintestinal disease. Endoscopically, the gastrointestinal tract appeared normal. Histological examinations of biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract led to the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Under an elimination diet the patient is symptom-free since 16 months without ascites.