Eosinophilic Biomarker Found for Aggressive IBD
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 14 Dec 2017 |

Image: Peripheral bloods smear showing five eosinophils, from a patient with eosinophilia (Photo courtesy of the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto).
Peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) in inflammatory bowel disease is associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and active disease. Little data exist on the long-term impact of PBE on disease course.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe two conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are long-term conditions that involve inflammation of the gut. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon or large intestine.
A large group of medical scientists working with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pittsburgh, PN, USA) performed a registry analysis of a consented, prospective, natural history IBD cohort at a tertiary center from 2009 to 2014. Demographics, comorbidities, disease activity, healthcare utilization, and time to hospitalization or surgical resection of patients who displayed PBE were compared to patients without PBE.
The team reported that of the 2,066 IBD patients, 19.2% developed PBE. PBE was significantly associated with UC, extensive colitis, and shorter disease duration. Over six years, PBE patients had more active disease, concurrent C-reactive protein elevation, healthcare utilization (hospitalization and IBD surgery), and more aggressive medical therapy (prednisone and anti- tumor necrosis factor). Patients with PBE had a significantly reduced time to hospitalization in both UC and Crohn’s disease (CD) and reduced time to colectomy in UC. PBE remained significantly associated with hospitalization and surgery in both CD and UC. New diagnosis of UC with PBE was associated with increased steroid and anti- tumor necrosis factor requirement.
The authors concluded that the multi-year study of a large IBD cohort suggests that peripheral blood eosinophilia represents a biomarker of a distinct IBD subgroup, with a unique inflammatory signature, and at risk for worse clinical outcomes. The study was published on November 7, 2017, in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Related Links:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe two conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are long-term conditions that involve inflammation of the gut. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon or large intestine.
A large group of medical scientists working with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pittsburgh, PN, USA) performed a registry analysis of a consented, prospective, natural history IBD cohort at a tertiary center from 2009 to 2014. Demographics, comorbidities, disease activity, healthcare utilization, and time to hospitalization or surgical resection of patients who displayed PBE were compared to patients without PBE.
The team reported that of the 2,066 IBD patients, 19.2% developed PBE. PBE was significantly associated with UC, extensive colitis, and shorter disease duration. Over six years, PBE patients had more active disease, concurrent C-reactive protein elevation, healthcare utilization (hospitalization and IBD surgery), and more aggressive medical therapy (prednisone and anti- tumor necrosis factor). Patients with PBE had a significantly reduced time to hospitalization in both UC and Crohn’s disease (CD) and reduced time to colectomy in UC. PBE remained significantly associated with hospitalization and surgery in both CD and UC. New diagnosis of UC with PBE was associated with increased steroid and anti- tumor necrosis factor requirement.
The authors concluded that the multi-year study of a large IBD cohort suggests that peripheral blood eosinophilia represents a biomarker of a distinct IBD subgroup, with a unique inflammatory signature, and at risk for worse clinical outcomes. The study was published on November 7, 2017, in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Related Links:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Latest Pathology News
- AI Histopathology Tool Distinguishes Ewing Sarcoma for Diagnosis
- Rapid Mass Spectrometry Test May Aid Glioma Margin Decisions
- Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
- Multimodal AI Supports Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Across Diverse Cohorts
- New AI Model Maps Where Glioblastoma Could Return After Surgery
- Simple Test Could Reduce the Need for Invasive Uterine Cancer Checks
- Tumor Blood Vessel Features May Help Predict Colorectal Cancer Survival
- Multimodal AI Improves Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Prediction Beyond Standard Genomic Testing
- Machine Learning Cytology Tool Improves Cancer Cell Identification
- CAP Updates Cancer Protocols to Refine Breast Cancer Biomarker Reporting and GIST Molecular Testing
- Tumor Budding Grading May Predict Chemotherapy Benefit in Resected Lung Squamous Cancer
- AI Spatial Analysis of Routine Slides Helps Predict Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence
- Hybrid Computational Imaging Method Improves Digital Pathology Resolution
- FDA Clearance Expands Digital Pathology Options for Clinical Laboratories
- Label-Free Imaging Reveals Hidden Immune Activity in Blood Samples
- AI Tool Improves Prediction of Immunotherapy Response in Lung Cancer
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Protein Panel Supports Monitoring of Treated Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten triggers intestinal inflammation that can damage the gut and impair nutrient absorption. Even with a gluten-free diet, some patients may continue... Read more
Hemoglobin Levels May Help Signal Long-Term Dementia Risk
Dementia is a growing health challenge in aging societies, with limited treatment options and no cure. Identifying long-term risk remains difficult, particularly when specialist scans or emerging biomarkers... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Study Shows How Genome Reference Bias Can Mislead Preventive Testing
Whole-genome sequencing is expected to play a growing role in preventive and predictive medicine, but accurate interpretation remains a major diagnostic challenge. The approach requires comparing billions... Read more
Validated Test Predicts Recurrence Risk and Radiation Benefit in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
For women with early-stage invasive breast cancer who undergo breast-conserving surgery, clinicians must assess both the risk of locoregional recurrence and the potential benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy.... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood-Based Immune Aging Map Could Help Spot Disease Risk Earlier
Chronological age does not always reflect immune health or future disease risk. Two adults of the same age can have immune systems that age very differently, with some remaining resilient while others... Read more
Blood-Based Immune Signal Could Reveal Lung Cancer Risk Before Tumors Develop
Lung cancer remains difficult to detect before symptoms appear, when advanced disease is harder to treat. In the U.K., about 32,800 people die from lung cancer each year, and only 11.1% of those diagnosed... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Oral and Lung Microbiome Changes Linked to Severe Long Covid Symptoms
Long Covid can involve persistent respiratory, cognitive, and gastrointestinal symptoms after acute infection, creating a difficult diagnostic and management challenge. Because COVID-19 initially affects... Read moreStudy Finds Distinct Malaria Parasites Linked to Sickle Cell Trait Protection
Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases and has affected humans throughout recorded history. In regions where malaria is common, human genetics have been shaped by the sickle cell... Read more
Rapid Urine Test Aids Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
Invasive aspergillosis is an uncommon mold infection in the general population but can pose serious risks for people with weakened immune defenses. Diagnosis can be difficult because existing approaches... Read more
Nanodroplet CRISPR Technology Supports Rapid, Multiplexed Mycobacterial Identification
Mycobacterial infections are difficult to diagnose because closely related species can have different clinical and therapeutic implications. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized... Read morePathology
view channel
AI Histopathology Tool Distinguishes Ewing Sarcoma for Diagnosis
Ewing sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. It usually arises in bone but can also develop in soft tissue, where its microscopic appearance may... Read more
Rapid Mass Spectrometry Test May Aid Glioma Margin Decisions
Glioma brain tumors are highly infiltrative and can extend into nearby healthy brain tissue, making tumor margins difficult to define during surgery. Residual tumor cells may contribute to recurrence and... Read more
Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
Men who have undergone prostatectomy for prostate cancer may later develop a detectable or rising prostate-specific antigen, prompting salvage radiation therapy. A key challenge is determining who is most... Read moreTechnology
view channelLaser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns
Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more
Laser-Enhanced Assay Boosts Sensitivity for Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Detection
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection remains critical, but cancer biomarkers can produce only faint... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Multi-Cancer Screening Blood Test Gains FDA Breakthrough Designation
Natera Inc.’s (Austin, TX, USA) multi-cancer early detection (MCED) assay has received Breakthrough Device designation (BDD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The assay analyzes cell-free... Read more
European Approval Expands Liquid Biopsy Use in Advanced Breast Cancer Testing
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2-negative advanced breast cancer may require molecular testing to guide treatment selection, with blood-based assays offering a way to identify tumor mutations that... Read more







