What Is an Eosinophilic Disorder?
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Read answers to frequently asked questions about Eosinophilic disorders.
A Closer Look
This bone marrow is literally packed with virtually only eosinophils. This appearance is characteristic of hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Eosinophilic disorders occur when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, are found in above-normal amounts in various parts of the body.
When the body wants to attack a substance, such as an allergy-triggering food or airborne allergen, eosinophils respond by moving into the area and releasing a variety of toxins. However, when the body produces too many eosinophils, they can cause chronic inflammation, resulting in tissue damage.
These rare diseases are diagnosed according to where the elevated levels of eosinophils are found:
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (esophagus)
- Eosinophilic gastritis (stomach)
- Eosinophilic enteritis (small intestine)
- Eosinophilic colitis (large intestine)
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome (blood and any organ)
