Trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopía en una mujer embarazada con infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile

El diagnóstico de la infección por Clostridioides dfficile (ICD) ha aumentado en el embarazo y periparto. Cambios fisiológicos e inmunológicos normales durante el embarazo pueden incrementar el riesgo de ICD. Mujeres embarazadas con ICD tienen una mayor frecuencia de fracaso al tratamiento y una significativa morbilidad y mortalidad. El trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) se ha convertido en el tratamiento estándar de la ICD recurrente y refractaria. Sin embargo, existen escasos datos sobre sus resultados en mujeres embarazadas. Presentamos el caso de una mujer embarazada que se sometió con éxito a un TMF para el tratamiento de una ICD recurrente.

The diagnosis of Clostridioides dfficile infection (CDI) in pregnant and peripartum women has increased. In this scenario, there are higher rates of treatment failure and a significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has become the gold standard for the treatment of recurrent and refractory CDI however, there are few data on its results in pregnant patients. This case showed that FMT could be a therapeutic strategy in pregnant women with recurrent CDI.

Trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopía en paciente mayor de 65 años con infección recurrente de Clostridioides difficile: aún una estrategia subutilizada / Fecal microbiota transplantation in an older patient with Clostridioides difficile recurrent infection. Report of one case

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major public health problem and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Eighty percent of CDIs occur in adults older than 65 years of age due to a decreased gastrointestinal microbial diversity, immunosenescence and frailty. Thus, the most reported risk factor for recurrent CDI is older age since nearly 60% of cases occur in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly cost-effective alternative to antibiotic treatment for patients with recurrent CDI. We report a 75-year-old male with recurrent CDI, who received a FMT after several unsuccessful antimicrobial treatments. He had a satisfactory evolution after the procedure and remained without diarrhea during the ensuing five months.

Anemia en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: un objetivo subestimado / Anemia in inflammatory bowel disease

Anemia is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there are several causes of anemia in IBD, the two most frequent etiologies are iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. Despite the high prevalence of anemia in IBD and its significant impact on patient's quality of life, this complication is still underdiagnosed and undertreated by providers. Active screening for anemia, structured assessment, comprehensive management, and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed in IBD patients. The cornerstone of anemia management depends on the underlying etiology along with normalization of inflammatory activity. Although, oral iron is effective for the treatment of mild iron deficiency-related anemia, intravenous iron formulations have a good safety profile and can be used as first-line therapy in patients with active IBD, severe anemia and previous intolerance prior to oral iron. After proper treatment of anemia, careful monitoring is necessary to prevent its recurrence. Herein, we discuss the etiology, screening, diagnosis, therapy selection, and follow-up for anemia in IBD.

Proctitis y enfermedad perianal de causa infecciosa: una mirada más allá de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Infectious proctitis and perianal disease: a gaze beyond inflammatory bowel disease

Resumen La proctitis infecciosa secundaria a una enfermedad de transmisión sexual ha aumentado en incidencia y deben ser consideradas especial-mente en varones homosexuales o bisexuales con síntomas rectales. Presentamos un paciente con una proctitis y enfermedad perianal por Chlamydia trachomatis que podría haber sido diagnosticado con otra enfermedad ano-rectal como es la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, si la historia clínica no hubiese sido considerada. Un alto nivel de sospecha es necesario para evitar un diagnóstico incorrecto, retrasar el tratamiento antimicrobiano y el desarrollo de complicaciones.

Abstract Infectious proctitis by sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in incidence and should be considered in homosexual patients with rectal symptoms. In this case, we show a patient with proctitis and perianal disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that could be diagnosed as another anorectal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease if the clinical history is not taken into account. A high level of suspicion is crucial, in order to avoid an incorrect diagnosis, delayed antibiotic therapy and the development of complications.

Nutrición y enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: posibles mecanismos en la incidencia y manejo / Nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease: possible mechanisms of diet on the incidence and management

La enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII), cuyos fenotipos más frecuentes son la enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y la colitis ulcerosa (CU), tiene una etiología multifactorial, que resulta de la interacción de factores genéticos, ambientales y del microbioma. Su incidencia ha aumentado en las últimas décadas, así como también lo ha hecho la occidentalización de la dieta: alta en grasas, carbohidratos refinados, azúcar, carnes rojas y alimentos procesados. Una dieta occidental es considerada como factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de EII, ya que está asociada a disbiosis, alteración de la barrera intestinal y de la inmunidad del huésped. Existen diversas dietas de eliminación que podrían ejercer un rol en la inducción/mantención de la remisión. Sin embargo, la mayoría requiere estudios de mejor calidad científica para poder recomendarlas. A su vez, existen suplementos nutricionales que estarían asociados a la incidencia y curso de la enfermedad. El objetivo de esta revisión es mostrar el posible rol de la dieta en la incidencia de la EII, y las estrategias dieto-terapéuticas, incluyendo suplementos específicos y nutrición enteral, considerando periodos de crisis y remisión.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), most frequent phenotypes Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis, have a multifactorial etiology, resulting from genetics, environmental triggers and microbiome alterations. Its incidence has been increasing as well as the western diet, high in fat, refined carbohydrates, sugar, red meat and processed foods. A western diet is considered a risk factor for the development of IBD, since it is associated with dysbiosis, alteration of the intestinal barrier and host immunity. There are several elimination diets that could play a role in induction/maintenance of remission. However, most of them require better quality scientific studies. Also, there are nutritional supplements associated with the incidence and evolution of the disease. The aim of this review is to show the possible role of the diet in the incidence, and diet-therapeutic strategies, including specific supplements and enteral nutrition, considering periods of active disease and remission

Efectos del ejercicio en enfermedades del tubo digestivo / The effects of excercise on gastrointestinal diseases

Actualmente, existe una mayor evidencia acerca de los efectos positivos de la actividad física, y en especial del ejercicio, sobre algunas enfermedades del sistema gastrointestinal, lo cual tiene relación principalmente con su rol antiinflamatorio a nivel sistémico. Sin embargo, es necesario considerar algunas variables del ejercicio, tales como el volumen e intensidad de éste. Específicamente, el realizar ejercicios de larga duración y alta intensidad, asociados a estados de deshidratación, postprandiales y con altas temperaturas ambientales, podría contribuir a la expresión fisiológica del síndrome gastrointestinal inducido por el ejercicio y a la aparición y/o empeoramiento de los síntomas en las enfermedades del tracto gastrointestinal. Si se controlan dichas variables, realizar ejercicio aeróbico de moderada intensidad y, adicionalmente, durante menos de 60 minutos, serían seguros para disminuir el riesgo y controlar de mejor manera los síntomas de algunas patologías gastrointestinales.

Currently, there is an increase evidence about the beneficial effects of physical activity, particularly of physical exercise in some diseases of the gastrointestinal system, related to its systemic anti-inflammatory role. However, it is necessary to consider some of the exercise variables such as volume and exercise intensity. Specifically, the execution of long duration and high intensity exercises, together with a state of dehydration, postprandial and high environmental temperature, could contribute to the physiological expression of the exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome and the expression and/or worsening of gastrointestinal diseases symptoms.

Síndrome de DRESS inducido por sulfasalazina. ¿Consideramos esta reacción adversa grave al indicar el fármaco? Caso clínico

DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe, rare and potentially lethal idiosyncratic condition associated with the use of some drugs. Given its broad spectrum of presentation, clinical suspicion is essential for management, since it requires the immediate withdrawal of the culprit drug, support measures and the use of corticosteroids as the first line of treatment. We report a 24-year-old woman with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis with joint involvement despite the use of infliximab, who presented symptoms, signs and laboratory compatible with DRESS syndrome on the third week after indicating sulfasalazine for her baseline disease.

Tofacitinib en el tratamiento de la colitis ulcerosa: casos clínicos / Tofacitinib for the treatment of ulcerative colitis: report of two cases

Biological therapy dramatically changed the management of Ulcerative Colitis (UC). However, a significant number of these patients fail to respond or have secondary loss of response to this strategy. In this clinical situation, the options include intensification of anti-TNF therapy, the use of a second anti-TNF or being switched to another drug class. Among the later, tofacitinib, an oral small molecule directed against the JAK/STAT pathway, is safe and effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with moderate-severe UC. We report two patients with UC refractory to conventional treatment and biological therapy, who responded successfully to the use of tofacitinib.

Biomarcadores en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: ¿sabe cómo utilizarlos? / Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease

Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease are an essential tool in clinical practice. They allow a non-invasive evaluation of patients and thus guide decision-making at different stages of the disease, including diagnostic suspicion, severity assessment, relapse prediction, and treatment response. Although biomarkers in blood such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, are the most commonly used biomarkers, because their low cost and accessibility, they lack specificity. Currently, fecal biomarkers offer greater reliability, applicability, and specificity. Fecal calprotectin is the most commonly used marker. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease, as well as their clinical applications and new biomarkers currently under research.

Abordagem diagnóstica e de manuseio da pouchite em doença inflamatória intestinal / Diagnostic and management approach to pouchitis in inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT In patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy, total proctocolectomy and posterior ileal-anal pouch anastomosis is the standard surgical therapy. One of the possible complications is pouchitis. Depending on the duration of the symptoms, it can be classified as acute, recurrent, or chronic. The latter, according to the response to therapy, can be defined as antibiotic-dependent or refractory. The treatment of pouchitis is based on the use of antibiotics and probiotics. Thiopurine and biological therapy have been suggested in patients with refractory pouchitis. Special care should be taken in the endoscopic surveillance of these patients, especially if they present risk factors such as dysplasia or previous colorectal cancer, primary sclerosing cholangitis or ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years.

RESUMO Em pacientes com colite ulcerativa refratária à terapia médica, a proctocolectomia total e anastomose de bolsa ileal-anal posterior é a terapia cirúrgica padrão. Uma das possíveis complicações é a pouchite. Dependendo da duração dos sintomas, pode ser classificado como aguda, recorrente ou crônica. Esta última, de acordo com a resposta à terapia, pode ser definida como dependente de antibióticos ou refratária a eles. O tratamento da pouchite baseia-se no uso de antibióticos e probióticos. A thiopurina e a terapia biológica têm sido sugeridas em pacientes com pouchite refratária. Um cuidado especial deve ser tomado na vigilância endoscópica desses pacientes, especialmente se apresentarem fatores de risco, como displasia ou câncer colorretal anterior, colangite esclerosante primária ou colite ulcerativa por mais de 10 anos.

Trasplante de materia fecal en pacientes octogenarios con infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile / Transplantation of fecal matter in octogenarian patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection

Resumen La infección por Clostridioides (previamente Clostridium) difficile se ha convertido en un problema de salud importante debido al aumento en su incidencia, gravedad y recurrencia. En este último escenario, una edad mayor de 65 años ha sido asociada a una evolución más desfavorable. Factores de riesgo como la presencia de una inmunidad alterada, co-morbilidades, malnutrición, polifarmacia y cambios en la microbiota intestinal explicarían este mayor riesgo a mayor edad. El trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) es una estrategia efectiva en el tratamiento de la infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile cuando la terapia estándar fracasa. Guías publicadas recientemente sugieren que esta estrategia puede ser utilizada a partir de la segunda recurrencia. Sin embargo, escasos estudios han evaluado los resultados del TMF en pacientes mayores de 65 años y para nuestro conocimiento existe una escasa experiencia nacional en este grupo de pacientes. Presentamos dos casos de TMF en pacientes octogenarios con una infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile, con una evolución satisfactoria a largo plazo.

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection has become a major health problem due to the increase in its incidence, severity, and recurrence. In this last scenario, age over 65 has been associated with a more unfavorable evolution. Risk factors such as the presence of altered immunity, comorbidities, malnutrition, polypharmacy, and changes in the intestinal microbiota would explain this higher risk in this group of patients. On the other hand, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective strategy in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection when standard therapy fails. Recently published guidelines suggest that this strategy can be used from the second recurrence. However, few studies have evaluated the results of the FMT in patients over 65 years old, and for our knowledge, there is limited national experience in this group of patients. We present two cases of TMF in octogenarian patients with a recurrent infection due to Clostridioides difficile, with satisfactory recovery at the long term.

Factores ambientales en el desarrollo y evolución de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Environmental risk factors in the development and evolution of inflammatory bowel disease

Environmental factors may influence the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and modify its natural history. The objective of this review is to evaluate current evidence about environmental factors associated with the disease. A better knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease can lead to better treatment strategies and suggestions to prevent the disease.

Utilidad de la monitorización terapéutica de infliximab en el manejo de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Usefulness of therapeutic monitoring of infliximab in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Primary non-response and secondary loss of response (LOR) are significant problems of biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in IBD patients receiving these drugs can improve outcomes. Aim: To measure serum infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies (ATI) in patients with IBD post-induction phase and during maintenance therapy assessing the clinical course of IBD. Patients and Methods: Prospective study of IBD patients receiving infliximab between July 2016-May 2017. Group-A included patients who received induction therapy while Group-B included patients who were in maintenance therapy. TDM was performed in serum samples collected at weeks-14 and 30 in Group-A and before the infliximab maintenance dose in Group-B. Clinical scores, fecal calprotectin and endoscopic score were also evaluated. Results: Of 14 patients in Group-A, 57% achieved endoscopic response. Median serum infliximab concentrations at week-14 and 30 were 2.65 AU/mL (0.23-32.58) and 2.3 AU/mL (0.3-16.8), respectively. Patients with mucosal healing had non-significantly higher median infliximab concentrations at week- 14, as compared to week 30 (median 3.2 vs 2.2 AU/ml, respectively, p 0.6). ATI >10 ug/mL were found in one and seven patients at week-14 and 30, respectively. At 52 weeks of follow-up, four patients (31%) had LOR. Group-B included 36 patients, 33% had LOR. Median serum concentrations of infliximab were 1.4 AU/mL (0.27-7.03). No significant differences in serum infliximab concentration were observed between patients in remission and those with inflammatory activity. Seventeen patients had ATI >10 ug/mL. Conclusions: Clinical algorithms using TDM might help to optimize the pharmacological therapy of IBD.

Experiencia del trasplante de microbiota fecal a través de colonoscopía en el tratamiento de la infección por Clostridium difficile recurrente / Fecal microbiota transplantation through colonoscopy for Clostridium difficile recurrent infection: report of eight cases

Background: Most cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) respond to a standard course of antibiotics, however recurrent CDI is becoming common and alternative therapeutic strategies are needed. In this scenario, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been suggested. Aim: To describe the efficacy and safety of FMT for the treatment of recurrent CDI. Patients and Methods: Review of medical records of all patients with recurrent CDI treated with FMT between April 2013 and April 2017. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted including details of treatment prior to FMT, rate of FMT treatment success and clinical course during follow-up period. Telephone surveys were conducted to determine patient satisfaction. Results: Eight patients aged 19 to 82 years (six women) underwent FMT. They experienced a median of four previous episodes of CDI (range 3-8). The mean duration of CDI was 18 days (range 3-36) before FMT. All procedures were performed by colonoscopy. Effectiveness with one session of FMT was 100%. During the follow-up period (median 24 months, range 7-55), two patients developed CDI, one of them after using antibiotics. Adverse events were reported in three patients. Two had bloating and one patient with Crohn's disease and a history of bacteremia had an episode of Escherichia coli bacteremia. All patients would use FMT again if necessary. Conclusions: FMT through colonoscopy appears to be a safe, effective and long-lasting therapy in cases of recurrent CDI.

Cáncer sincrónico y metacrónico detectado con PET/CT en población oncológica / Multiple primary malignant neoplasms detected by PET/CT in cancer patients

Background Imaging with F18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is used to determine sites of abnormal glucose metabolism and can be used to characterize and localize many types of tumors. Aim To assess the prevalence of multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMN) detected by PET/CT in cancer patients. Material and Methods F18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scans performed to 800 patients with a newly diagnosed cancer or with already treated tumors were retrospectively reviewed. In patients whose examination described incidental findings not related to the primary tumor, a research was done about further laboratory, imaging or pathological studies. Results In 188 PET/CT scans (23%) an incidental finding was found. Of these, 66 (35%) were considered as MPMN, 12 as atypical metastases of a known primary tumor, 14 as false positive images (inflammatory or physiologic uptake) and 29 as benign or low grade tumors. In 67 cases (36% of all incidental tumors), the finding was not confirmed. Seven percent of patients with a newly diagnosed tumor had a synchronic MPMN detected by PET/CT. Nine percent of patients with treated tumors developed a metachronous MPMN during their follow up. The most common incidental tumors were thyroid cancer in 15 cases, kidney cancer in 13, lung cancer in 10, colorectal carcinoma in 9, breast cancer in 6, prostate cancer in 4, non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 3 and pancreatic cancer in 2. Conclusions A MPMN is detected by PET/CT in a significant number of cancer patients.