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Allergic intestinal lesions - Diagnosis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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If intestinal dysfunction occurs against the background of acute general allergic reactions, then it is easy to diagnose. Usually, difficulties arise in the absence of signs of general allergosis, especially if intestinal manifestations persist for several days or weeks or become chronic. The presence of general clinical signs of sensitization of the body (paroxysmal course, decreased blood pressure or angiospasms, urticaria, skin itching, Quincke's edema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchospasm, eosinophilia, leukopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia) helps diagnose the allergic nature of intestinal disease.
A special allergological study using skin tests with the corresponding antigen, detection of specific antibodies in the blood serum and sensitization of lymphocytes to a particular allergen allows us to establish the true nature of the disease.
Increased amounts of mucus, leukocytes, and eosinophilic granulocytes are sometimes found in feces. The intestinal mucosa may be hyperemic and edematous during endoscopy. Histomorphological examination reveals cellular, predominantly lymphocytic, eosinophilic, or plasma cell infiltration, an increase in mucus-forming goblet cells, and sometimes dilation of capillaries, edema, and hemorrhages. In mild cases, intestinal biopsy does not reveal pathology.
During an exacerbation, the nature of the electrocolographic curve may change: the rhythm of contractions increases, tonic waves and areas of increased motor function alternate with phenomena of spasm and atony.
The electrocologram takes the form of an "irritable bowel" after taking an allergen product. X-ray examination outside the period of exacerbation of the pathology does not reveal. After provocation with a product that may have an allergenic effect, peristalsis of the stomach and intestines increases, the passage of barium accelerates, spastic constrictions are formed, gases accumulate.
It is necessary to differentiate allergic electrocolopathy from infectious, parasitic, tumor diseases of the intestines, acute appendicitis, and thrombosis of the mesenteric vessels.
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