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The Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States

Key facts

Who runs it
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Where
Bethesda, United StatesSee the siteAlso in 1 other country, 2 sites
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
70 people, planned
Starts
18 Nov 2026
Expected to end
31 Aug 2027
Type of study
Interventional
Treatments tested
  • Esophageal string test
Record updated
13 November 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years to 65 years
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 16 criteriaShow less

Who cannot take part

  • Recent steroid use (systemic or swallowed/topical corticosteroid) within 4 weeks prior to endoscopy
  • 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
  • Current use of anticoagulant medications
  • Treatment with another investigational drug or other investigational intervention within 6 months or 5 half-lives whichever is longer
  • Individuals suffering from a bleeding diathesis (e.g., hemophilia, severe thrombocytopenia)
  • 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; Co-enrollment guidelines: Co-enrollment in other trials is restricted, other than enrollment on observational studies. Consideration for co-enrollment in trials evaluating the use of a licensed medication will require the approval of the principal investigator in consultation with the medical monitor. Study staff should be notified of co-enrollment on any other protocol as it may require the approval of the principal investigator
  • An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
  • Recent use of dupilumab (Dupixent) within the last 6 months
  • Pregnancy

Other criteria

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:; In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Aged 18 to 65 years
  • Born in the African continent or their parents were born in Africa,
  • Exhibiting symptoms of dysphagia and/or prior history of food impaction
  • 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

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 18 and 65 years old?

Where in United States

Also in 1 other country, 2 sites

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, United StatesContact: Perla Adames Castillo, B.S.N.Taking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Background:

Read full original descriptionShow less

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.

The group in the trial

  • Esophageal string testTreatment being tested

    The esophageal string test is a minimally invasive procedure used to collect esophageal secretions for diagnostic analysis.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Use of the Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States
Fit questions
Built from NCT07027826, who can take part
Record updated
13 November 2026