[Endoscopic aspect of ulcerated tumor-like gastritis associated with Helicobacter heilmannii]. / Aspect de gastrite ulcérée pseudo-tumorale due à Helicobacter heilmannii.

We report on 5 cases with an endoscopic aspect exceptionally described of ulcerated tumor-like gastritis associated with Helicobacter heilmannii. This rare but ubiquitary bacteria, belonging to the same family as Helicobacter pylori, is epidemiologically and structuraly different. When these endoscopic lesions are detected, Helicobacter heilmannii has to be looked for carefully. The treatment, which is the same than for Helicobacter pylori, must lead to complete repair of endoscopic and histologic lesions.

Treatment of benign gastric ulcer: a comparative clinical trial of rioprostil and ranitidine.

This study is a multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, two-way, parallel group comparison of the efficacy and safety of rioprostil and ranitidine in the treatment of active gastric ulcer. Ninety-one patients with gastric ulcer are randomly allocated to treatment with either rioprostil 300 micrograms b.d., or ranitidine, 150 mg b.d. The duration of treatment is 4 weeks, or 8 weeks for the patients who are improved but not healed at 4 weeks. Clinical, endoscopic and laboratory assessments are made before treatment, and after each treatment period. Therapeutic success is defined as complete endoscopic healing of the ulcer. At the end of the treatment period, either 4 or 8 weeks, healing rates are 69% in the rioprostil group, and 66% in the ranitidine group; this difference is not significant (p = 0.86). After the first 4 weeks of treatment the healing rates are 44% and 55% in the rioprostil and ranitidine groups, respectively. The incidence of adverse effects is 22% in the rioprostil group, and 7% in the ranitidine group (p = 0.036). Diarrhoea is the most common side effect (12%), but is usually intermittent and mild. We conclude that rioprostil, 300 micrograms b.d., for up to 8 weeks is as effective as ranitidine, 150 mg b.d., in the treatment of benign gastric ulcer.

Jejunal IgA and C3 deposition in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura with severe intestinal manifestations.

An adult male patient with Henoch-Schônlein purpura and severe intestinal involvement is reported. Henoch-Schönlein purpura was documented by microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of the skin and kidney. At duodenojejunoscopy there were multiple ulcerations and thickening of mucosal folds. Microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of duodenum and proximal jejunum showed submucosal vasculitis and granular deposits of immunoglobulin A and complement components (C3) in the vessel walls, similar to those observed in the skin and kidney. This patient exhibited severe and prolonged intestinal lesions of Henoch-Schölein purpura, and was resistant to a 10-day course of total parenteral nutrition. However a dramatic clinical response was observed within 24 h after the initiation of plasma exchange therapy; steroids were not used. Intestinal involvement in anaphylactoid purpura may be associated with local immunologic abnormalities similar to those observed in cutaneous vessels and glomerular mesangium.