Organ-specific eosinophilic disorders of the skin, lung, and gastrointestinal tract

Eosinophils are multifunctional leukocytes that increase in various tissues in patients with a variety of disorders. Locally, they can be involved in the initiation and propagation of diverse inflammatory responses. In this review the clinical association of eosinophils with diseases of the skin, lung, and gastrointestinal tract is summarized. An approach to determining the causal role of eosinophils in these diseases is presented. Recent findings concerning molecular diagnosis, cause, and treatment are discussed.

Key words: Asthma, cutaneous, dermatitis, eosinophilia, esophagitis, intestine, lung, respiratory, skin

Abbreviations used: ABPA, Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, AD, Atopic dermatitis, AHR, Airway hyperresponsiveness, BP, Bullous pemphigoid, CSS, Churg-Strauss syndrome, DRESS, Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, ECP, Eosinophilic cationic protein, EE, Eosinophilic esophagitis, EGID, Eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal disorder, EPF, Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis, GERD, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, HES, Hypereosinophilic syndrome, MBP, Major basic protein, SE, Severe exacerbation