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
- Breakthrough-Designated Cytology Test Supports Oral Cancer Risk Assessment
- Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology
- Roche Launches Automated Test to Support Mesothelioma Differential Diagnosis
- AI Pathology Approach Closely Aligns With Breast Cancer Genomic Risk Classification
- Digital Pathology Test Stratifies Recurrence Risk in Early Breast Cancer
- AI Pathology Tool Predicts DNA Repair Deficiency in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
- AI Tissue Analysis May Help Identify Missed Precancerous Colon Polyps
- AI Pre-Screening Helps Identify Lung Cancer Cases for Additional Biomarker Testing
- AI Pathology Platform Targets Workflow Delays and Molecular Test Failures
- Updated Digital Pathology Platform Expands AI Integration for Cancer Diagnosis
- Molecular Testing Refines Barrett’s Esophagus Progression Risk Beyond Biopsy Findings
- 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
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Antibody-Free Blood Test Detects Rheumatic Heart Disease Biomarker
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, disproportionately affecting children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection remains challenging... Read more
Blood and Spinal Fluid Biomarker May Help Track Early Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene that progressively affects movement, cognition, behavior, and independence. Although mutation carriers can be identified... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Liquid Biopsy Expands Insights Into Treatment Response and Tumor Alterations
Treatment selection in advanced breast and lung cancers can be challenging when traditional biomarkers are absent and genomic findings alone do not fully clarify which therapies may be effective.... Read more
Genomic Sequencing Identifies Actionable Findings to Guide Rare Disease Management
Rare disease diagnosis can be challenging when patients remain without definitive answers and clinicians need information that can guide management beyond the initial genetic finding. Genomic sequencing... Read moreCombined Blood Tests Help Clarify Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Risk
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. For patients undergoing curative-intent surgery for metastatic disease, predicting... Read more
Blood Test Identifies Candidates for Targeted Radiotherapy in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer can progress despite hormone-based treatment, with imaging sometimes revealing only limited areas of active disease. For men with hormone-resistant oligoprogressive prostate cancer,... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Multiplex PCR Test Gains CE Marking to Support Respiratory Infection Diagnosis
Acute respiratory infections often present with overlapping symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial causes. Seasonal surges of influenza-like illness in Europe further... Read more
Antibody Testing Informs Melioidosis Diagnosis and Surveillance in Emerging Regions
Melioidosis is a serious and sometimes fatal infection caused by the soil- and water-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. People and animals can contract the disease through exposure to contaminated... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Automated Microbial Identification and Susceptibility System Gains FDA Clearance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading global public health threat, causing an estimated 1.27 million deaths annually. The growing challenge of diagnosing and treating resistant infections highlights... Read more
Gastrointestinal Flex Assay Gains EU Certification for Tailored Pathogen Testing
Gastrointestinal infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic pathogens, making targeted test selection important for clinical laboratories. Fixed syndromic panels may be broader than necessary... Read more
Molecular Panels Gain FDA Clearance for One-Hour Gastrointestinal Pathogen Testing
Acute infectious gastroenteritis, caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, remains a significant global health concern that inflames the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting,... Read morePathology
view channel
Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology
Pathology remains the gold standard for disease diagnosis, but clinical laboratories face growing demands for faster, more reproducible diagnostic and prognostic workflows. Digital pathology based on whole-slide... Read more
Breakthrough-Designated Cytology Test Supports Oral Cancer Risk Assessment
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers remain a significant diagnostic challenge, with more than 60,000 Americans expected to be diagnosed in 2026 and more than 13,000 expected to die from these cancers.... Read more
AI Pathology Approach Closely Aligns With Breast Cancer Genomic Risk Classification
In early-stage breast cancer, precision oncology relies on biological information to guide personalized treatment decisions. Because access to tissue-based genomic testing may be limited, there is growing... Read moreTechnology
view channel
New qPCR Master Mixes Offer Broad Compatibility for Routine Research
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) workflows require consistent reagent performance across instruments and assay formats. Laboratories must also manage costs without changing established protocols.... Read more
Multi-Agent AI Framework Supports Laboratory Quality and Workflow Monitoring
Clinical laboratories analyze blood, urine, tissue, and other bodily fluids to support disease diagnosis and treatment. Rising test volumes, workforce shortages, and increasingly complex diagnostics are... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Partnership Aims to Bring Blood-Based Alzheimer’s Testing to Japan
Alzheimer’s disease remains a growing diagnostic challenge as populations age and cognitive impairment becomes more common. In Japan, government-supported estimates project that approximately 4.... Read more







