In the distal esophagus lesion, stromal macrophages (immunoreactive for CD68) were more commonly found in pill-induced esophagitis than in reflux esophagitis, while intraepithelial mast cells (immunoreactive for CD117) were more frequent in reflux esophagitis (P < 0.05). Here, CD68 is linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease.