Histological Findings in Antigen E Positive and Negative in Chronic Hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the histopathological findings in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection (immunotolerant phase in old terminology) and HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (inactive carrier phase in old terminology). STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Gastroenterology, University of Health Sciences, Diyarbakir Gazi Yasargil Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkiye and Diyarbakir and Mersin University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkiye, from May 2014 to August 2022. METHODOLOGY: The difference between fibrosis and histological activity indices of 289 patients in the immunotolerant and inactive carrier phase who had liver biopsy was examined statistically. Additionally, the relationship of these data with age and gender was investigated. RESULTS: While 236 (81.7%) of the patients were in the inactive carrier phase, 53 (18.3%) patients were in the immunotolerant phase. The mean fibrosis score of patients in the immunotolerant stage was 2.0 ± 1.2, while it was 2.0 ± 1.0 in inactive carriers (p = 0.753). The number of patients with a fibrosis score of two and above was 21 (39.6%) in immunotolerant patients and 52 (22.0%) in inactive carrier patients (p = 0.004). In patients under 30 years of age, the mean fibrosis score was 1.7 ± 1.0. It was 2.0 ± 1.1 in those over 30 years of age (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Biochemical parameters or viral load cannot clearly reflect cellular damage in the liver. In the future, HBV DNA positivity alone may be the only criterion for the treatment. KEY WORDS: Chronic viral hepatitis B, Fibrosis, Immune tolerance phase, Inactive carrier phase.

Did diet compliance and remission reduce oxidative stress in celiac patients?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effect of remission status on thiol-disulfide homeostasis in celiac patients and thus to indirectly determine the effect of oxidative stress and inflammation caused by non-compliance with the diet. METHODS: Between February 2019 and December 2021, 117 patients diagnosed with celiac disease were included in this prospective randomized and controlled study. In addition to routine tests of celiac patients, thiol and disulfide measurements were made from the blood both at the beginning of the study and at the end of the first year. RESULTS: While 52 of the patients (44.4%) were in remission, 65 patients (55.6%) were not. There was an evident increase in native thiol levels of the patients who were initially not in remission but went into at the end of the first year (347.4±46.7 µmol/L vs. 365.3±44.0 µmol/L; p=0.001). Mean plasma disulfide levels of patients with celiac going into remission became reduced in the first year from the level of 14.5±5.1 µmol/L down to 8.9±4.2 µmol/L (p<0.001). In celiac patients who entered remission, disulfide and anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A levels decreased in a correlation (r=0.526; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Not being in remission in celiac disease leads to increased oxidative stress, and thiol-disulfide homeostasis is an indirect indicator of this. Additionally, providing remission in celiac patients reduces oxidative stress.

What is the incidence of celiac disease in patients with microscopic colitis? Why are these two diseases related?

Introduction: Although there are studies in the literature showing that celiac disease (CD) is more common in patients with microscopic colitis (MC), there are publications to the contrary. The pathophysiologies of both diseases are different from each other. Aim: To investigate the frequency of CD in MC patients, the different features of these 2 diseases, and the relationship between them. Material and methods: In our prospective and cross-sectional analytical study, the presence of CD was investigated in 90 patients diagnosed with MC by colonoscopy and biopsy due to chronic diarrhoea between September 2011 and December 2021. Results: We detected MC in 102 (9.3%) of 1096 patients investigated for chronic diarrhoea. We detected CD in 1 (1.1%) of 90 patients with MC who participated in the study. Only 10% of the patients were positive for AGA IgA, 3.3% for EMA IgA, and 2.2% for Anti-TG2 IgA. There was no difference in autoantibody titre in treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant MC patients. HLA DQ2 was positive in 32.2% (n = 29) of the MC patients, and HLA DQ8 was found in 5.5% (n = 5). Intraepithelial lymphocyte increase was remarkable in the duodenal biopsies of MC patients who did not respond to treatment (40% vs. 11.4%; p = 0.007). Conclusions: We did not reach the conclusion that CD is more common in MC patients. An increase in IEL may also occur in the small intestine in patients with MC who do not respond to treatment.

Did diet compliance and remission reduce oxidative stress in celiac patients?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the effect of remission status on thiol-disulfide homeostasis in celiac patients and thus to indirectly determine the effect of oxidative stress and inflammation caused by non-compliance with the diet. METHODS: Between February 2019 and December 2021, 117 patients diagnosed with celiac disease were included in this prospective randomized and controlled study. In addition to routine tests of celiac patients, thiol and disulfide measurements were made from the blood both at the beginning of the study and at the end of the first year. RESULTS: While 52 of the patients (44.4%) were in remission, 65 patients (55.6%) were not. There was an evident increase in native thiol levels of the patients who were initially not in remission but went into at the end of the first year (347.4±46.7 μmol/L vs. 365.3±44.0 μmol/L; p=0.001). Mean plasma disulfide levels of patients with celiac going into remission became reduced in the first year from the level of 14.5±5.1 μmol/L down to 8.9±4.2 μmol/L (p<0.001). In celiac patients who entered remission, disulfide and anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A levels decreased in a correlation (r=0.526; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Not being in remission in celiac disease leads to increased oxidative stress, and thiol-disulfide homeostasis is an indirect indicator of this. Additionally, providing remission in celiac patients reduces oxidative stress.

IS LYMPHOPENIA A PREDICTOR OF MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19?

In this study, we evaluated the relation between the presence of lymphopenia and the need of intensive care unit (ICU) or mortality. A total of 1670 COVID-19 patients were divided according to the severity of lymphopenia developing at the time of COVID-19 infection. According to the symptoms and need of ICU, the infection was classified as mild or severe. The rates of severe infection, ICU admission, and mortality were evaluated between the groups. Among 1670 patients, 576 (34.4%) patients had severe disease and 1094 (65.6%) patients had a mild form of the disease; 213 (12.7%) patients with severe COVID-19 died. The severe form of COVID-19 was more common in patients with low lymphocyte levels (<500) than in those with normal lymphocytes count (64.7% vs. 5.2%; p<0.001). The odds ratio of lymphopenic patients was 2.4 (1.8-3.0; p=0.001). The risk of severe COVID-19 infection and mortality was 8.9 and 12.4 times higher in patients with low lymphocyte count compared to patients with normal lymphocyte count subsequently. ROC analysis showed that lymphocyte counts lower than 615 lym/mcL had 96.4% sensitivity for severe disease (AUC:0.89 (0.842-0.938); p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between lymphocyte count and mortality rate and severe COVID-19 disease (for severe COVID-19 r=-0.590; p<0.001and for mortality r=-0.511; p=0.001). In conclusion, we found a strong correlation between lymphopenia and COVID-19 outcomes. Lymphopenia in patients with COVID-19 was a prognostic factor in the course of the disease. Lymphopenia is an easy and inexpensive prognostic factor that can be used in the management of COVID-19 patients.

Relationship Among Helicobacter Pylori, Lower Esophagus Sphincter Pressure, and Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship among lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), Helicobacter pylori (Hp), and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Methods: The retrospective study included patients with isolated hypertensive or hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) who underwent esophageal manometry in our gastroenterology motility laboratory and had normal manometry results. Demographic characteristics, complaints on admission, upper endoscopy findings, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring results, and presence of Hp in gastric biopsy were evaluated. Results: A total of 1226 patients were included in the study, among whom women comprised 54% of all patients. Mean age was 45.4±13.4 years. Most common presenting complaint was pyrosis (85.4%). Pathological reflux was detected in 61.4% of the patients in 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. Reflux esophagitis was detected in 22.9% and LES laxity was present in 17.4% of the patients. In gastric biopsy, Hp was positive in 40% of the patients. The age of patients with hypertensive LES was significantly higher and female gender and body mass index (BMI) were associated with hypertensive LES. Pyrosis was significantly less prevalent in patients with hypertensive LESP. Esophagitis and LES laxity were significantly more prevalent in patients with hypotensive LES. No significant difference was found among the three groups with regard to reflux and Hp positivity. No significant difference was found between Hp-positive and Hp-negative groups with regard to reflux and reflux esophagitis. Conclusion: No clear relationship was found among LES disorders, GER, and Hp. Moreover, no significant difference was found among LES disorders with regard to GER, while the presence of hypotensive LESP, rather than Hp, was found to be an important factor in the development of reflux esophagitis.

Use of Vedolizumab in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Vedolizumab, which is a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to α4ß7 integrin in the gastrointestinal system, may be an effective and safe treatment alternative in those with anti-tumor necrosis factor-resistant inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Patients administered vedolizumab due to anti-tumor necrosis factor resistant or anti-tumor necrosis factor side effects between August 2017 and November 2020 were included in the study. Crohn's patients were evaluated using the Harvey-Bradshaw index and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease, whereas ulcerative colitis patients were evaluated with the Partial Mayo Score Index and Rachmilewitz score. All patients were followed up for 3 months and their blood samples were taken every 3 months. Hemoglobin, white blood cell, leukocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts of the patients were performed. Albumin, C-reactive protein, and erythrocye sedimentation rate values were recorded. The side effect profile for vedolizumab was evaluated for all patients. Among the side effects, arthralgia and flu-like symptoms were observed. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients (18 ulcerative colitis and 30 Crohn's disease) were included in the study. Vedolizumab therapy was initi- ated in the patients due to anti-tumor necrosis factor resistance (17 ulcerative colitis and 26 Crohn's disease) or anti-tumor necrosis factor side effects (1 ulcerative colitis and 4 Crohn's disease). A total of 30 (63%) patients, including 15 (83%) ulcerative colitis and 15 (50%) Crohn's disease, responded to treatment (both response and remission). The mean duration of response to treatment was 4.5 ± 1.5 months. A total of 20 (42%) patients in the vedolizumab therapy subgroup (10/10, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease) went into remission. The mean Harvey-Bradshaw Index value was 9.8 ± 2.8 in the Crohn's disease patients at the time of initial treatment. The mean Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease value was 11.2 ± 3.1 at the time of initial treatment. The mean Harvey-Bradshaw Index value was 6.5 ± 3.0 and the mean Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease value was 4.9 ± 3.6 at 6 months post-treatment. The mean Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index (Rachmilewitz) value was 9.3 ± 1.2 at the time of initial treatment. In addition, the mean Partial Mayo Scoring Index was 6.4 ± 1.5 at the time of initial treatment. The mean Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index (Rachmilewitz) value was 0 (0-6.0), and the mean Partial Mayo Scoring Index was 1.5 (0.3-4.0) at 6 months post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Vedolizumab therapy is effective in both induction and maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease patients who are resistant to anti-tumor necrosis factor or who can not receive anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy due to side effects. No signifi- cant side effect was observed in the patients during follow-up.

Oxidative stress and the importance of H. pylori eradication in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Background: To investigage the thiol and disulphide levels in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and investigate the change in these levels with eradication therapy. Methods: This is a prospective observational study. A total of 320 patients diagnosed with dyspepsia according to Rome IV criteria were included in the study. First, blood samples were drawn from patients to determine their serum thiol and disulphide levels. Endoscopic biopsy was performed on all patients and the biopsy specimens obtained were examined pathologically. Patients positive for H. pylori were administered eradication therapy. Blood samples were drawn from these patients for the second time, and their serum thiol and disulphide levels were measured. The thiol-disulfide levels of the patients who were successful in H. pylori eradication treatment, with those who were not, were compared before and after the treatment. Results: The mean plasma disulphide level decreased significantly from 14.0 ± 6.6 to 10.9 ± 5.9 µmol/L in H. pylori-positive patients that responded to the H. pylori eradication treatment (P = 0.033). On the other hand, there was an insignificant increase in the mean serum thiol level (341.4 ± 30.5 vs. 342.6 ± 29.8 µmol/L; P = 0.273) and an insignificant decrease in the mean serum disulphide level (15.2 ± 2.5 vs. 14.8 ± 2.3 µmol/L; P = 0.163) in H. pylori-positive patients that did not respond to the H. pylori eradication treatment. Conclusion: The inflammation caused by H. pylori shifted the thiol-disulphide equilibrium in the cell redox system towards the direction of disulphide. The study findings suggest that the restoration of the said hemostatic balance with eradication therapy relieved the organism from oxidative stress.

DOES COVID-19 CAUSE PANCREATITIS?

BACKGROUND: Viral infections can cause acute pancreatitis. Idiopathic pancreatitis has an important proportion in the etiology of acute pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rate of development of acute pancreatitis (AP) in COVID-19 patients and to determine the rate of idiopathic pancreatitis in the etiology of this pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 6.467 patients hospitalized with the COVID-19 diagnosis were included in the study. Patients diagnosed with AP based on the Atlanta criteria were identified. Etiological factors were determined in patients who developed acute pancreatitis and compared with the etiological factors in 315 patients with non-COVID-19, hospitalized with the diagnosis of AP before the COVID-19 pandemic. AP was detected in 0.1% of patients with COVID-19. While gallstone was the etiologic factor in 2 (28.6%) of seven patients who developed acute pancreatitis during COVID-19, hyperlipidemia was the factor for 1 (14.3%) patient. Moreover, the etiologic factor could not be determined in 4 (57.1%) patients, and they were regarded as idiopathic pancreatitis patients. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common etiologic factor in 315 (78.4%) patients admitted to the hospital for AP before the COVID-19 pandemic. Idiopathic pancreatitis was ranked second with 16.8%. CONCLUSION: It was observed that there was a significant difference in the incidence of idiopathic pancreatitis between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 (P=0.015). Results suggest that the SARS-Cov-2 virus may be among the factors leading to AP.

COVID-19 causa pancreatite? / Does covid-19 cause pancreatitis?

ABSTRACT Background Viral infections can cause acute pancreatitis. Idiopathic pancreatitis has an important proportion in the etiology of acute pancreatitis. Objective To investigate the rate of development of acute pancreatitis (AP) in COVID-19 patients and to determine the rate of idiopathic pancreatitis in the etiology of this pancreatitis. Methods A total of 6.467 patients hospitalized with the COVID-19 diagnosis were included in the study. Patients diagnosed with AP based on the Atlanta criteria were identified. Etiological factors were determined in patients who developed acute pancreatitis and compared with the etiological factors in 315 patients with non-COVID-19, hospitalized with the diagnosis of AP before the COVID-19 pandemic. AP was detected in 0.1% of patients with COVID-19. While gallstone was the etiologic factor in 2 (28.6%) of seven patients who developed acute pancreatitis during COVID-19, hyperlipidemia was the factor for 1 (14.3%) patient. Moreover, the etiologic factor could not be determined in 4 (57.1%) patients, and they were regarded as idiopathic pancreatitis patients. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common etiologic factor in 315 (78.4%) patients admitted to the hospital for AP before the COVID-19 pandemic. Idiopathic pancreatitis was ranked second with 16.8%. Conclusion It was observed that there was a significant difference in the incidence of idiopathic pancreatitis between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 (P=0.015). Results suggest that the SARS-Cov-2 virus may be among the factors leading to AP.

RESUMO Contexto Infecções virais podem causar pancreatite aguda (PA). A pancreatite idiopática tem uma proporção importante na etiologia da pancreatite aguda. Objetivo Investigar a taxa de desenvolvimento de pancreatite aguda em pacientes com COVID-19 e determinar a taxa de pancreatite idiopática na etiologia desta pancreatite. Métodos No estudo foram incluídos 6.467 pacientes internados com o diagnóstico de COVID-19. Foram identificados pacientes diagnosticados com PA com base nos critérios de Atlanta. Fatores etiológicos foram determinados em pacientes que desenvolveram pancreatite aguda e comparados com os fatores etiológicos em 315 pacientes sem COVID-19, hospitalizados com o diagnóstico de PA antes da pandemia COVID-19. A PA foi detectada em 0,1% dos pacientes com COVID-19. Enquanto o cálculo biliar foi o fator etiológico em 2 (28,6%) dos sete pacientes que desenvolveram pancreatite aguda durante o COVID-19, a hiperlipidemia foi o fator para 1 (14,3%) paciente. Além disso, o fator etiológico não pôde ser determinado em 4 (57,1%) pacientes, sendo considerados pacientes com pancreatite idiopática. A pancreatite biliar foi o fator etiológico mais comum em 315 (78,4%) pacientes internados no hospital para PA antes da pandemia COVID-19. A pancreatite idiopática ficou em segundo lugar com 16,8%. Conclusão Observou-se que houve diferença significativa na incidência de pancreatite idiopática entre pacientes com COVID-19 e não COVID-19 (P=0,015). Os resultados sugerem que o vírus SARS-Cov-2 pode estar entre os fatores que levam à pancreatite aguda.