Defining the Role of Food Allergy in a Population of Adult Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the clinical types of food reactions and the food sensitization profile in an adult cohort of patients with (EoE). We have prospectively analyzed the food allergen sensitization profile using skin prick test (SPT) and atopy patch test (APT) to 22 plant and animal-derived foods in 19 adult patients with biopsy-proven EoE. For each patient the following data was collected: age, sex, atopic disease status, and clinical characteristics of the EoE. A total of 123 food sensitizations were detected by SPT and 45 food sensitizations by patch testing in 18 patients (94.8%). Thirty-five double- positive (SPT+, APT+) responses against the same food were detected in 15 patients (78.9%). We have also identified 11 clinical episodes clearly suggestive of oral allergy syndrome, urticaria and/or anaphylaxis after intake of some specific foods. All cases showed positive SPT to the offending food (Type 1 food reactors). 68 clinically apparent episodes of EoE related with specific foods were detected in our patients. In 40 instances (58.8%) the foods involved in developing EoE symptoms showed a positive SPT and/or APT results (Type 2). 155 food sensitizations were identified in 18 patients (94.7%) using SPT and/or APT neither related with clinically apparent episodes of EoE nor with clinical episodes suggestive of oral allergy syndrome, urticaria and/or anaphylaxis after food intake (Type 3). In conclusion, the patients with EoE can be allocated into 3 different groups of food reactors, with well-defined clinical and biological characteristics.