EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

We present the findings on a 27-year-old male with eosinophilic gastro -enterocolitis accompanied with acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis may be induced by pancreatic duct obstruction caused by marked swelli ng of the papillary region of the duodenum due to eosinophil infiltrat ion. After prednisolone treatment, clinical manifestations rapidly imp roved; the serum amylase decreased and the peripheral eosinophilia was recovered. The serum interleukin-5 (IL-5) level was high at diagnosis and decreased by prednisolone therapy; however, IL-5 was detected by enzyme immunoassay even during clinical remission. These results indic ate that eosinophilia is mediated by IL-5, and detectable levels of IL -5 indicate the possibility of relapse.