EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS - A DISEASE WITH A WIDE CLINICAL SPECTRUM

Two patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis are described. The pred ominant eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosal layer of the upper ga strointestinal tract resulted in severe protein-losing enteropathy and peripheral eosinophilia in one patient and a malabsorption syndrome d ue to saccharose and lactose intolerance in another patient. There was a wide range of abdominal symptoms, depending on the site and extent of the disease. The diagnosis was based upon typical biopsy findings. There was a marked lack of any biochemical abnormality. The course of the disease was chronic and relapsing. Symptoms were not controlled wi th corticosteroids alone; only after the addition of disodium chromogl ycate per os was prolonged disease control achieved.