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Quantity and distribution of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract of children

Charles W DeBrosse1, Justin W Case, Philip E Putnam

  • 1University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229-3039, USA.

Pediatric and Developmental Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Pediatric Pathology and the Paediatric Pathology Society
|September 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study quantifies eosinophils in pediatric gastrointestinal tracts, establishing normal ranges. Findings show eosinophil presence varies by location, with higher counts in the large intestine, and is similar in atopic and nonatopic children.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Pathology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on normal eosinophil quantities and locations in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract.
  • Eosinophils play roles in immune responses and allergic conditions, making baseline data crucial for diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the baseline quantity and distribution of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy pediatric patients.
  • To compare eosinophil levels between atopic and nonatopic children.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gastrointestinal biopsies from pediatric patients with no diagnostic abnormalities during endoscopy.
  • Quantification of eosinophils per high-power field (hpf) in different gastrointestinal segments (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine).
  • Assessment of extracellular eosinophil granule presence and location.

Main Results:

  • Eosinophils were found in low numbers in the esophagus (0.03/hpf), stomach (1.9-2.1/hpf), and small intestine (9.6-12.4/hpf).
  • The large intestine, particularly the cecum (20.3/hpf), showed the highest eosinophil concentrations.
  • Extracellular eosinophil granules were prevalent (70-93%) across segments, with no significant difference between atopic and nonatopic individuals.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides essential baseline data for gastrointestinal eosinophil counts in healthy children.
  • Eosinophil distribution varies significantly throughout the pediatric gastrointestinal tract.
  • Normal eosinophil levels are comparable in atopic and nonatopic pediatric patients.

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