Chemotactic Factors Associated with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is in constant negotiation with the microbial flora present in the lumen. Resident hematopoietic cells (ie, lymphocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils) are part of this ongoing and silent homeostatic battle. Eosinophilic GI diseases are characterized by an increased number of eosinophil infiltrates with no identified cause. This article describes the past and present knowledge regarding the chemotactic factors involved in GI eosinophilia.