Activated Mucosal Mast Cells Differentiate Eosinophilic (Allergic) Esophagitis From Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Intraepithelial MC counts and IgE-bearing cells may help to differentiate EE and GERD and to define a subset of GERD patients in which an allergic component is present. The findings support a role for a MC-mediated hypersensitivity reaction in the pathogenesis of EE.