Use of the Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Summary
Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease that causes inflammation in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach. Diagnosing EoE currently requires a specialized tool called an endoscope. The esophageal string test (EST) is another test; the EST collects fluid from the upper digestive tract. An EST is simpler and cheaper than an endoscopy. Researchers want to know if an EST can diagnose EoE. Objective: To test if the EST can diagnose EoE in people who have trouble swallowing. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 65 years with trouble swallowing. They must have been born in the African continent or their parents were born in Africa. Design: Participants will be screened. They will give blood, stool, urine, and skin swab samples. They will complete surveys about their medical history, diet, symptoms, and home environment. They will bring a sample of their drinking water for testing. Participants will have an EST. They will swallow a pill capsule that contains a nylon string. One end of the string will be taped to their cheek. The string will unravel down the esophagus and into the stomach. It will be pulled out after 1 hour. Fluids that soaked into the string will be tested. At a different visit, participants will have an endoscopic exam. An endoscope is a flexible tube that is inserted down the mouth; it can be used to take tissue samples from the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Participants will have a final visit in person, online, or by phone. They will take a survey and talk about their test results.
Description
Study Description: Eligible participants will be enrolled to assess the performance and accuracy of the 1-hour esophageal string test (EST) as a diagnostic screening tool for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Consenting participants in the U.S. (n=30) and Mali (n=30) undergoing clinically indicated esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will have an EST performed prior to the procedure. Clinical data, including medical history and laboratory test results, will be captured on a case report form. Symptoms will also be assessed using validated patient reporting outcome measures: the Brief Esophageal Dys…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Able to provide informed consent. 2. Aged 18 to 65 years. 3. Born in the African continent or their parents were born in Africa, 4. Exhibiting symptoms of dysphagia and/or prior history of food impaction. 5. Undergoing clinically indicated endoscopy at the NIH Clinical Center (U.S.), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Gabriel Tour(SqrRoot)(Copyright) (Mali), or other local clinics (Mali) and willing to provide research samples and data. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: An…
Interventions
- DeviceEsophageal string test
The esophageal string test consists of a gelatin or cellulose capsule containing a nylon string. The capsule dissolves allowing the nylon string to absorb esophageal secretions which can be analyzed for various inflammatory mediators.
Locations (3)
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, Maryland
- Gabriel Toure University Hospital CenterBamako
- Mali International Center for Excellence in ResearchBamako