Barbara et al found that mast cells which were proximal to nerves correlated with abdominal pain severity, suggesting a role for mast cells and their mediators in the altered sensorimotor pathophysiology of IBS.22, 26 Our results also showed that mast cell numbers/c-kit staining (but not mast cell tryptase staining—data not shown) correlated positively with abdominal pain scores. This evidence concerns the gene KIT and irritable bowel syndrome.