Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Eosinophilic esophagitis; Proton pump inhibitors; Esophageal eosinophilia; Dysphagia

This approach has become complicated by the recent recognition of PPI-Responsive Esophageal Eosinophilia (PPI-REE), a disorder characterized by clinicopathologic features similar to EoE but that resolve with high-dose PPI therapy.The mechanism of PPI action for treatment of esophageal eosinophilia may rely not only on acid suppression but also on novel anti-inflammatory effects of the PPIs themselves. Treatment with PPI therapy is now considered a required step before a formal diagnosis of EoE can be made, and continuing PPI therapy in patients with PPI-REE is a common strategy [1,2]. However, the role of continuing PPI monotherapy in patients with EoE remains a matter of debate. The decision to do so should hinge on improvement in symptoms and histology as well as the need for ongoing dilation.

A 39-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of solid food dysphagia, food avoidance, weight loss, and one episode of food impaction. Physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory evaluation revealed a microcytic, iron deficiency anemia with normal differential. An esophagram showed delayed passage of a 13 mm barium tablet at the gastroesophageal junction. An upper endoscopy showed linear furrows and white exudates throughout the proximal and distal esophagus without narrowing [3,4]. The clinical presentation and endoscopic appearance raised suspicion for eosinophilic esophagitis. Biopsies obtained from throughout the esophagus showed squamous mucosa with spongiosis and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (up to 60 per HPF) in peripapillary and interpapillary zones consistent with severe lymphocytic esophagitis [5]. Gastric and duodenal biopsies and colonoscopy were unremarkable. She was started on twice daily proton-pump inhibitor and oral iron therapy with resolution of symptoms and anemia.

Endoscopy follow-up at 12 weeks showed normal mucosa and biopsies. She remains asymptomatic [6,7].

Lymphocytic esophagitis is a rare esophageal disorder that can clinically (dysphagia, food impaction) and endoscopically (white exudates, furrows) mimic eosinophilic esophagitis. Reported associations include esophageal motility disorders, medications, and inflammatory bowel disease. Proton pump inhibitors and topical corticosteroids have been invoked as therapies (Figure 1) [8].

Figure 1: Endoscopical lymphocytic esophagitis.

Over the past several years, the approach to esophageal eosinophilia has become more complicated with the recognition of PPI-REE. This condition was first described in a series of 3 pediatric patients with clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of EoE but who completely responded to a course of PPI treatment [9].

Since that time, retrospective and prospective studies in both children and adults consistently show that at least one-third of patients with esophageal eosinophilia respond to a course of high-dose PPIs. Although the mechanisms of this PPI response are currently being elucidated, the critical point is that patients with esophageal eosinophilia that responds to PPI therapy are currently not considered to have EoE. Specifically, guidelines require that patients undergo a PPI trial before they can receive a formal diagnosis of EoE. It is unclear, however, whether a patient has PPI-REE or GERD based on PPI response alone. It is also unclear if PPI-REE is a form of GERD, a subtype of EoE, a result of their interaction, or an independent condition. Adding to the confusion, PPI-REE can be a transient condition. Dohil and colleagues have presented a series of patients who had an initial response to PPI therapy, but on long-term followup, and in the absence of medication adherence issues, seasonality, changes in diet, or new allergen triggers, subsequently developed recurrent esophageal eosinophilia consistent with EoE in spite of ongoing PPI therapy for PPI-REE [10].

The role of proton pump inhibitor therapy for esophageal eosinophilia

In spite of the diagnostic uncertainty associated with EoE, GERD, and PPI-REE, there are benefits to PPI therapy in a subset of patients with esophageal eosinophilia. A review by Molina-Infante and colleagues indicated that the rate of symptom improvement in adults with esophageal eosino-philia who were treated with PPI therapy ranged from 25% to 80% and histologic remission from 33% to 61%, depending on the study design and patient population [11].

One of the most fascinating areas of emerging data concerns the mechanism of PPI response in patients with esophageal eosinophilia. For example, several studies have suggested that PPIs may have novel anti-inflammatory effects that are independent of their acid suppression. PPIs can act as antioxidants, directly inhibit neutrophils and monocytes, decrease expression of proinflammatory cyto-kines, and inhibit or kill multiple bacteria and fungi. PPIs also have been shown to inhibit eosinophil recruitment from blood to tissue, not just into the gastrointestinal tract but also into lung tissue and secretions. Specifically applicable to esophageal eosinophilia are studies that show that PPIs block Interleukin (IL)-4-and IL-13-stimulated secretion of eotaxin-3 in esophageal cell lines from patients with EoE, likely by impacting STAT6 binding to the eotaxin-3 promotor.

This not only provides a direct mechanism of action for the clinical improvement noted in patients who have PPI-REE8, but also potentially explains why it is difficult to predict which patients with suspected EoE will have a PPI response. Interestingly, the same eotaxin-blocking effect is not seen when PPIs are applied to a fibroblast culture system. The similarities between patients with EoE and some with PPI-REE are further highlighted by the fact that the same genes, including eotaxin-3 and Th2 cytokines, are down regulated after treatment. Finally, use of PPIs can restore esophageal mucosal barrier function in patients with esophageal eosinophilia, potentially decreasing the route of exposure for allergen triggers to inflammation.

The PPI response goes beyond the effect on histology and improvement in esophageal eosinophilia and leads to other clinical improvements as well. PPI therapy may play a role in combination therapy with patients who require dilation. In a systematic review examining dilation in patients with EoE, Bohm and Richter found that inflammation was reduced in patients who underwent dilation and PPI therapy but not in patients who underwent dilation alone.

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