The Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States
Recruiting now · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Dysphagia, Eosinophilic Esophagitis
In brief
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.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07027826
- Run by
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- People needed
- 70
- Starts
- 2026-08-13
- Expected to finish
- 2027-08-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-08-10
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Recent steroid use (systemic or swallowed/topical corticosteroid) within 4 weeks prior to endoscopy.
- Recent use of dupilumab (Dupixent) within the last 6 months.
- Recent use of other biologic medications (within either 6 months or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer). Examples of biologic medications include:
- 3a. mepolizumab (Nucala)
- 3b. reslizumab (Cinqair, Cinqaero)
- 3c. benralizumab (Fasenra)
- 3d. cendakimab
- 3e. tezepelumab (Tezspire)
- 3f. barzolvolimab
- Individuals suffering from a bleeding diathesis (e.g., hemophilia, severe thrombocytopenia).
- Current use of anticoagulant medications.
- Pregnancy.
- Treatment with another investigational drug or other investigational intervention within 6 months or 5 half-lives whichever is longer.
- Individuals with a known history of any of the following:
- 8a. eosinophilic esophagitis
- 8b. esophageal stricture unable to be passed with an upper endoscope
- 8c. esophageal cancer
- 8d. esophageal motility disorder (e.g., achalasia)
- 8e. esophageal varices
- 8f. esophageal or gastric surgery including fundoplication
- 8g. neurologic cause of dysphagia (e.g., stroke, Parkinson s disease, etc.)
- 8h. allergy to gelatin
- 8i. inability to swallow pills
- Any condition that, in the investigator s opinion, places the individual at undue risk by participating in the study.
Where it is running
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)
- Gabriel Toure University Hospital Center — Bamako, Mali
- Mali International Center for Excellence in Research — Bamako, Mali
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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