Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a disorder in which a type of white blood cell (eosinophil)
involved in allergic reactions, enter and cover the walls of the esophagus (food pipe). As a
result, the esophagus becomes swollen and blocked making it difficult to swallow, and this
leads to heartburn. In severe cases it can lead to food getting stuck in the esophagus and
poor growth or weight loss in children
The main purpose of this research study is to compare the effectiveness of two different
types of treatment for EoE:
1. Oral viscous budesonide- which is a steroid medication that has been used to treat
asthma. Recently, it has been used as a therapy to treat the eosinophilic inflammation
in EoE, and
2. Specific food elimination.
The study will also be looking to see if a blood test is useful in following the progression
of EoE. Currently the only way to follow EoE is by repeating endoscopy, which is a more
"invasive test."