About the Immunopathogenesis of Food Allergy and Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Study

Food allergies, such as peanut and milk allergy, affect an estimated 4 percent of the adult U.S. population, and the incidence of eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) has increased in the past 10 years. A new research study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, is studying how the immune system responds to food allergens. The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of how the immune system responds to food allergens and how immune cells contribute to disease in people with various allergic, hypersensitivity, and inflammatory disorders.

Who can participate?

You may be eligible if you are 18 to 65 years old and have been diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

Eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG)
Peanut or milk allergy with severe symptoms such as hives, wheezing or throat closing

What does the study involve?

The study includes blood draws, a physical exam, and allergy testing. Some participants may also have an endoscopy and biopsy of the gut or esophagus. Participants will visit NIH twice in a 2-month period.

Where is the study taking place?

The study is being conducted at the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center (Building 10) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. The NIH campus is accessible by car and public transportation.