Development of an Antigen-Specific T Cell Assay to Identify Food Triggers in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, T cell mediated disease that is triggered by specific foods and results in odynophagia and progressive esophageal dysfunction. Due to the absence of food-specific IgE antibodies in some EoE patients, skin prick testing is not reliably helpful when attempting to identify EoE-causal foods. As such, the current standard of care involves empiric food elimination diets or swallowed steroids with repeated endoscopies. There is significant need for a quick, non-invasive laboratory test which can accurately predict tolerated and trigger foods in EoE patients.