GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN EOSINOPHIL CONCENTRATION IN NORMAL COLONIC MUCOSA

We reviewed 256 mucosal biopsy specimens fi om the descending and sigm oid colon obtained from surgical pathology departments in several area s of the United States. Only specimens of normal colonic mucosa were i ncluded, i.e., no specimens with acute or chronic colitis or adenomato us change, or in which eosinophils invaded the crypts or muscularis mu cosae. The mean number of eosinophils per intercryptal space was highe st in the southern United States, and there was a 35-fold difference b etween the mean eosinophil concentrations of patients in New Orleans a nd Boston. The reason for geographic variation is unknown, but it migh t be related to allergens in the environment or diet. Normal variation s in mucosal eosinophil concentrations should be measured within a spe cific region before evaluating colonic biopsy specimens for eosinophil ia.