[Systematic ileocolonoscopy in seronegative spondylarthropathies]. / Iléocolonoscopie systématique au cours des spondyloarthropathies séronégatives.

An inflammation of the ileum was observed by Mielants and Veys in patients suffering from reactional arthritis associated to HLA B27 antigen. We thought it would be interesting to perform a systematic ileo-colonoscopy in patients suffering from seronegative spondylo-arthropathy, whether it was an axial or a peripheral form of the disease, or it was associated or not to HLA B27 antigen. The results observed in 30 patients who responded to the criteria of Wright and Moll for the diagnosis of seronegative spondylo-arthropathy, were compared to those of 18 patients suffering from various gastro-intestinal disorders. Macroscopically, a minimal abnormality (erythematous patches and/or micro-ulcerations) was observed in 10 out of 30 patients, and never in the reference group (p less than 0.02). The histological examination demonstrated, in patients suffering from spondylarthritis, a higher frequency of minimal signs of inflammation (lympho-plasmocytes infiltration) at the level of the ileum (in 18 out of 19 patients versus 11 out of 18 patients in the reference group, p less than 0.05) and at the level of the rectum (in 15 out of 19 patients, versus 8 out of 17 patients in the reference group, p less than 0.05). This study suggests therefore the presence of minimal ileorectal inflammation in patients with seronegative spondylo-arthritis, which could have an influence on the pathogenesis and/or the evolutive course of the disease.

[Hemochromatotic cirrhosis complicating pyridoxine-sensitive hereditary sideroblastic anemia. Case report]. / Cirrhose hémochromatosique compliquant une anémie sidéroblastique héréditaire pyridoxino-sensible. Une observation.

A further case of sporadic congenital sideroblastic anaemia is reported. Despite no contributing factors such as blood transfusion, oral ingestion of iron or alcoholic beverages, were present excessive iron stores occurred with consecutive tissue damage resulting in cirrhosis of the liver, portal hypertension and diabetes mellitus. HLA phenotype was A3 B7 as in primary hemochromatosis. Correction of anemia was obtained by vitamin B6 administration. Improvement of iron overload was achieved through the use of daily subcutaneous infusions of the iron chelating drug desferrioxamine with a portable infusion pump.