Overview
Eosinophilic colitis (EC) is a rare condition in which a type of white blood cell called eosinophils builds up in the lining of the colon (large intestine) without an obvious cause. Eosinophils are normally part of the immune system and help fight infections and parasites, but when too many of them collect in the colon, they cause inflammation and damage to the tissue. This leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), cramping, nausea, and weight loss. In infants, it may present as bloody stools and feeding difficulties. Eosinophilic colitis belongs to a group of conditions called eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), which also includes eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic gastritis. The exact cause of EC is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve an abnormal immune response, possibly triggered by food allergens or other environmental factors. Some patients have a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema. Treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms and reducing eosinophilic inflammation. Dietary changes, such as elimination diets that remove suspected food triggers, are often tried first. Medications may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, or leukotriene receptor antagonists. In some cases, biologic therapies are being explored. Because the disease is rare, there is no single standardized treatment approach, and care is often tailored to each patient's specific situation.
Key symptoms:
Abdominal pain or crampingDiarrhea, sometimes with blood or mucusBloating and gasNausea or vomitingUnintended weight lossPoor appetiteFatigueBloody stools in infantsFeeding difficulties in babiesFeeling full quickly after eatingUrgency to have a bowel movementAnemia from chronic blood loss
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
4 eventsSanofi — PHASE2
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia
Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Eosinophilic colitis.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesEohilia
Takeda
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Eosinophilic colitis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Eosinophilic colitis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Eosinophilic colitis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: National, Multicenter, Retrospective, Prospective Study to Evaluate Pediatric Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disorders
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Eosinophilic colitis
New recruiting trial: OMEGA: Outcome Measures in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Across the Ages
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Eosinophilic colitis
New recruiting trial: Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Eosinophilic colitis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the likely cause of the eosinophilic inflammation in my colon, and could food allergies be playing a role?,Should I try an elimination diet, and if so, how should I do it safely while maintaining good nutrition?,What medications do you recommend, and what are the potential side effects of long-term use?,How often will I need colonoscopies or other tests to monitor the disease?,Are there any clinical trials or newer therapies I should consider?,What symptoms should prompt me to seek emergency care?,Can this condition lead to other complications or related conditions over time?
Common questions about Eosinophilic colitis
What is Eosinophilic colitis?
Eosinophilic colitis (EC) is a rare condition in which a type of white blood cell called eosinophils builds up in the lining of the colon (large intestine) without an obvious cause. Eosinophils are normally part of the immune system and help fight infections and parasites, but when too many of them collect in the colon, they cause inflammation and damage to the tissue. This leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), cramping, nausea, and weight loss. In infants, it may present as bloody stools and feeding difficulties. Eosinophilic colitis belongs to a group of
How is Eosinophilic colitis inherited?
Eosinophilic colitis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Eosinophilic colitis?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Eosinophilic colitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Eosinophilic colitis?
6 specialists and care centers treating Eosinophilic colitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Eosinophilic colitis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Eosinophilic colitis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.