OBJECTIVE: To determine the early esophageal mucosis changes manifested as dilatation of intercellular space (DIS) of distal esophageal epitelium by immunohistochemical staining of transmembrane proteins. METHODS: A cross - sectional study that enrolled 15 respondents with reflux symptoms. Screening was based on GerdQ questionnary. Key data were obtained by videoendoscopy, biopsy and patohistological sample analysis. 4 distal esophagus mucosis samples were taken from all respondents. Imunohistological staining of transmembrane proteins e-cadherin and β-catenin was used. The intensity of transmembrane staining was accepted as an indicator of the continuity of the epithelium, as well as dilatation of intercellular spaces. RESULTS: There was no evidence of DIS among the respondents. As indisputable sign of preservation of the continuity of the epithelium, strong transmembrane staining resulted in all (100%) respondents. Less than 50% of the respondents had patohistological changes that could be associated with reflux, 46.7% had basal epitel cell hiperplasia and infiltration of inflammatory cells, and only 20% of respondents had elongation of stromal papillae. CONCLUSIONS: Dilatation of intercellular space was not proven by immunohistochemical staining of transmembrane proteins, and the other histological changes were recorded with a smaller number of respondents. All this reduces the value of this particular diagnostic procedure in the endoscopic negative stage of the disease, and gives priority to symptomatic treatment, as well as ambulatory follow up of the patients.