ESOPHAGEAL CYTOKINE EXPRESSION PROFILES IN EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS

摘要

Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to methods of providing or enhancing a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE). In particular, the invention relates to obtaining a sample from a patient having at least one indication of EE, then quantifying from the sample an amount of one or more cytokines associated with EE or an mRNA corresponding to the cytokine or its receptor, wherein an altered level of the cytokine or mRNA correlates with a positive diagnosis of EE. An EE diagnosis can then be provided or enhanced, based upon the quantifying step. The invention further relates to diagnostic kits, tests, and/or arrays that can be used to quantify the one or more cytokines associated with EE or an mRNA corresponding to the cytokine or its receptor.