Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury

The most common cause of esophageal injury is gastroesophageal reflux disease, however other less recognized causes may affect the esophagus. In this review we will focus on pill-induced esophageal injury, infections of the esophagus and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Esophageal infections are less frequent since HIV infection has become better controlled with antiviral therapies. The most emergent 'allergic' disease of the esophagus is eosinophilic esophagitis, which has become increasingly recognized in children and adults over the last decade. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a clinicopathologic disorder characterized by a dense esophageal eosinophilia generally occurring in association with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, primarily intermittent dysphagia, and refractory to proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Drug-induced esophageal injury remains underdiagnosed and should be better recognized.