High Intraepithelial Eosinophil Counts in Esophageal Squamous Epithelium Are Not Specific for Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Adults

All histologic features presently ascribed to IEE can occur in other esophageal diseases, notably GERD. As such, the finding of intraepithelial eosinophilia in any number is not specific for IEE. When a patient with GERD has an esophageal biopsy with an eosinophil count >20/hpf, it does not mean that the patient has IEE.