Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia and analysis of one-year reinfection rates

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is endemic worldwide. The proposed treatment is expensive and there are few reports regarding reinfection rates in Brazil. The aim of this study was to compare the eradication rates obtained with two therapeutic options and to evaluate reinfection one year after treatment. This was a prospective randomized trial with 55 patients. Thirty-nine patients had active duodenal ulcer (DU) and 16 non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), and all tested positive for HP. Diagnosis was based on at least two positive tests: ultrarapid urease test, histology and/or culture. Patients were randomized to two groups: group OMC treated with 40 mg omeprazole (once a day), 500 mg metronidazole and 250 mg clarithromycin (twice daily) for 7 days, or group NA treated with 300 mg nizatidine (once a day) and 1000 mg amoxicillin (twice daily) for 14 days. Those patients in whom HP was eradicated were followed up for one year to evaluate reinfection. Twenty-five patients were randomized for OMC and 30 for NA. HP eradication occurred in 20/25 patients (80 per cent) treated with OMC and 13/30 (43 per cent) treated with NA (P = 0.01). After reallocation because of initial treatment failure, the overall eradication rate was 44/51 patients (86 per cent). After an average follow-up of one year, we evaluated 34 patients (23 with DU and 11 with NUD). Reinfection occurred in 3/34 patients (7.6 per cent). We conclude that OMC is effective for HP eradication, and that NA should not be used. Reinfection occurs in 7.6 per cent of the patients in the first year after eradication.

[Biliary microcrystals in idiopathic acute pancreatitis: clue for occult underlying biliary etiology]. / Microcristais biliares na pancreatite aguda idiopática: indício para etiologia biliar oculta subjacente.

The main causes of pancreatic inflammation worldwide are biliary lithiasis and alcoholism. However, 10 to 30% of patients have been considered to have "idiopathic" acute pancreatitis. Recently, some studies showed that a significant rate of the so called idiopathic pancreatitis are caused by microlithiasis and/or biliary sludge, identified by the presence of cholesterol monohidrate and/or calcium bilirubinate microcrystals in the biliary sediment. In the present study, the analysis of microcrystals from bile obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was done in patients with pancreatitis (idiopathic, biliary or alcoholic--20 in each group). Patients with idiopathic pancreatitis and microcrystals in the bile underwent cholecystectomy whenever possible. Those who refused or were inapt to surgery underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy or received continuous therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid. Patients with idiopathic pancreatitis without biliary crystals did not receive any specific treatment. The prevalence of biliary microcrystals in patients with idiopathic pancreatitis (75%) and biliary pancreatitis (90%) was significantly higher than in those with alcoholic pancreatitis (15%). In the identification of the etiology of biliary pancreatitis, the presence of microcrystals had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 85%, positive predictive value of 85.7%, negative predictive value of 89.4% and accuracy of 87.5%. In the patients with recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis, with biliary crystals, there was an statistically significant reduction in the number of pancreatitis episodes after specific treatment. In the follow-up of this group during 23.3 +/- 4.8 months, recurrence of pancreatitis occurred only in patients with "persistent biliary factor" (choledocholithiasis and/or persistence of cholesterol monohidrate). All patients with idiopathic pancreatitis who underwent cholecystectomy had chronic cholecystitis. Moreover, cholelithiasis was present in one case. In the ultrassonographic follow-up of the patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis with microcrystals in the bile, cholelithiasis was detected in one case. In the subgroup of five patients with idiopathic pancreatitis without biliary microcrystals recurrence occurred in one case. Ultrassonographic study during follow-up did not reveal biliary stones in any of these patients. We concluded that the detection of biliary microcrystals in "idiopathic" pancreatitis suggested an underlying biliary etiology, even if occult. What's more, early specific therapeutic procedure (cholecystectomy, endoscopic sphincterotomy or ursodeoxycholic acid) in patients with recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis with microcrystals in the bile reduced significantly the recurrence during the follow-up. Finally, acute pancreatitis (specially recurrent) should not be called idiopathic before the microscopic analysis of the bile, aiming to detect or exclude the presence of microcrystals.

[Evaluation of rapid urease test stored in refrigerator]. / Avaliação do teste rápido da urease conservado em geladeira.

UNLABELLED: The rapid urease test is an accurate and cheap method, which results are readily available, and broadly used for routine Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosis. AIM: The evaluation of rapid urease test stored in refrigerator at 4 degrees C (SRUT) compared to regular rapid urease test. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Endoscopic biopsies were obtained from gastric antrum in 104 consecutive patients. Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was accomplished by rapid urease test, histology and rapid urease test stored (kept in refrigerator by a period ranging from 1 to 8 days). RESULTS: Infection was considered present if both rapid urease test and histology were positive. Helicobacter pylori was present in 45/104 patients (42%). Rapid urease test stored had specificity comparable to rapid urease test (93%), with sensitivity of 88%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that rapid urease test can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week, without loss of clinical applicability, and that can make the test even easier to use for routine Helicobacter pylori tests in a busy endoscopy unit.

Nutritional status improvement in neurologically impaired patients by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding.

With increased use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, it became clear that neurologically impaired patients might benefit from its use. From August 1996 to July 1997, we performed 19 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies in patients with neurological sequelae, who were incapable to maintain their nutritional status by oral ingestion or had repeated episodes of aspiration. Sixteen patients were followed prospectively, from 30 days to 11 months (median: 6.4 months). Average weight (38.2 kg to 44.8 kg), BMI (14.8 kg/m2 to 17.8 kg/m2), weight/height ratio (23.5 kg/cm to 28 kg/cm), mid-upper arm circumference (19.4 cm to 21.6 cm) and triceps skinfold thickness (10.3 mm to 12.6 mm) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Before percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, there were 10 (10/16, 62.5%) patients with grade III thinness. In this group, 3/10 patients (30%) showed improvement to grade I (two individuals) and II (one patient). All but five patients (68.75%) were below the fifth percentile of normal distribution for mid-upper arm circumference. One patient (6.2%) showed improvement of her status (between 25th and 50th percentiles). Four patients (25%) started the follow-up below the fifth percentile for normal distribution of triceps skinfold thickness, and showed no improvement. There were no early complications secondary the procedure. Late complications included granulation tissue on ostomy site (18.8%) and ostomy infection (6.2%). Statistical analysis showed significant improvement of anthropometric data. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a simple, highly successful and safe procedure, when performed in neurologically impaired patients. It is efficient as a long-term enteral feeding method.

Risk of Helicobacter pylori transmission by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has been reported as a risk factor for the transmission of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of transmission of H. pylori infection by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients who had previously had such procedures in a low disinfection level environment. METHODS: The study included 1082 patients. Patients that had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or were treated with antibiotics 15 days before the index endoscopy were excluded. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by ultra-rapid urease test. Variables analyzed were age, gender, type of dyspepsia (organic or functional), and the number of previous upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 60%. Patients ranged in age from 13 to 94 years (mean = 45.8, SD = 15.7) and the number of previous upper gastrointestinal endoscopies ranged from 0 to 20 (mean = 1.5, SD = 2.4). In 53.3% of the patients, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed some mucosal lesion (organic dyspepsia). Prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in patients with organic rather than functional dyspepsia (71.1% vs. 47.1%, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean number of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in patients with and without H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there was no association between history of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and current H. pylori infection in this study population.

Esophageal ulcer and alendronate.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of esophageal ulcer associated with the use of alendronate. CASE REPORT: This is the fifth case ever described in the literature according to our bibliographic review. In our patient, the association between the drug and the esophageal lesions was masked by the presence of a hiatal hernia, potentially a cause of the esophageal lesion. The persistence of the lesions despite high doses of anti-reflux therapy called attention to the possibility of the relationship. The esophageal lesion healed soon after suspension of alendronate. DISCUSSION: The authors present a review of the literature and point to the need for diagnostic investigation, to suspend such a drug from patients who experience dyspeptic symptoms while using it.

[Comparison between invasive tests for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections]. / Comparação entre testes invasivos para o diagnóstico da infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram negative bacteria that colonizes gastric epithelial cells. It has been associated with several gastric disease including chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosis can be done with invasive and non-invasive methods. In invasive methods an endoscopic gastric mucosa biopsy specimen is used. In our study we compare the sensitivity, specificity, costs and applicability of four invasive diagnostic tests: culture, urease ultra-rapid test, histology (Giemsa and Hematoxilineosin stain) and fuchsin stained mucosal slides. Urease test was the easiest, fastest diagnostic test, with sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100%, being also the cheapest test. We concluded that it should be the test of choice for Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosis.

Biliary and pancreatic stent blockage by bacterial biofilm: presentation of two cases.

Biliary and pancreatic stents are effective tools in the management of obstructive jaundice (both malignant and benign), pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, and as treatment for biliary and pancreatic fistulae. Unfortunately, stents may become blocked and require replacement in a number of patients. In the present study a blocked stent from a patient with transpapillary drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst and another from a patient with obstructive jaundice resulting from cancer of the head of the pancreas associated with Mirizzi syndrome were characterized by electron microscopy. Stent blockage was diagnosed by a pressure test and stent cultures were performed. Electron microscopy of the blocked stents revealed the sludge to consist of microcolonies of bacteria mixed with amorphous material, and cultures of both stents were positive for Klebsiella sp and E. coli.

Biliary and pancreatic stent blockage by bacterial biofilm: presentation of two cases

Biliary and pancreatic stents are effective tools in the management of obstructive jaundice (both malignant and benign), pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, and as treatment for biliary and pancreatic fistulae. Unfortunately, stents may become blocked and require replacement in a number of patients. In the present study a blocked stent from a patient with transpapillary drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst and another from a patient with obstructive jaundice resulting from cancer of the head of the pancreas associated with Mirizzi syndrome were characterized by electron microscopy. Stent blockage was diagnosed by a pressure test and stent cultures were performed. Electron microscopy of the blocked stents revealed the sludge to consist of microcolonies of bacteria mixed with amorphous material, and cultures of both stents were positive for Klebsiella sp and E. coli.

[Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and adenocarcinoma. Report of a case]. / Síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers e adenocarcinoma. Relato de caso.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare disease, characterized by autosomic inheritance, presenting skin stain and hamartomatous polyps. We report one case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and duodenal adenocarcinoma in a young male who presented with liver metastasis and pancreatic invasion. Such association is reported to be presented in 5% of patients with the syndrome. The reasons of such association are unknown, being possible that: 1) there is malignant degeneration of a adenomatous polyp; 2) malignant degeneration of a hamartomatous polyp, or 3) adenomatous portion of a hamartomatous polyp could undergo malignant transformation.

Endoscopic study of the ileal papilla in a normal case and in patients under several pathological conditions.

The ileal protrusion into the lumen of the large intestine was studied in 9 patients (8 adults and 1 girl), 6 females and 3 males, all Brazilians and Caucasians. One of the patients resulted to have no disease, whereas in the others was confirmed the suspected diverticulosis, non specific ulcerative colitis, polyposis, regional ileitis or tuberculosis. In all cases the papillary and bilabial types of the termination of the ileum was documented by endoscopic photography, justifying the change of the expression "Bauhin's ileocecal valve" to that of "eminentia ilealis". Even in cases (one with regional ileitis and the other with tuberculosis) in which the disease altered the eminentia ilealis, it was possible to recognize the ileal papilla. Endoscopy confirmed direct, in vivo observations of ileal papilla, excluding the influence of the surgical procedure (incision and exteriorization in cases of cecostomy) in the morphological aspect of the normal eminentia ilealis.

Brush cytology during ERCP for the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic malignancies.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and management of pancreaticobiliary diseases. The diagnostic sensitivity of brush cytology is reported as between 18% and 70% for malignant bile duct or pancreatic duct strictures. We report our findings in 74 patients with pancreaticobiliary strictures who underwent ERCP. Brush cytology was performed on 55 bile duct specimens and 19 pancreatic duct specimens. No complications related to the procedure occurred; 4 specimens (5.4%) were unsatisfactory for interpretation. Strictures were benign in 22 patients (12 pancreatitis, 5 sclerosing cholangitis, 3 Mirizzi syndrome, and 2 papillitis) and malignant in 52 patients (29 pancreatic carcinoma, 10 cholangiocarcinoma, 6 metastatic disease, 4 pancreatic mucinous ductal ectasia, 1 ampullary carcinoma, and 2 non-functioning islet cell tumors). The nature of the stricture was confirmed by surgery, surgical biopsy, necropsy, or follow-up. The overall results for brush cytology were sensitivity 56.2%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 51.2%, and accuracy 70%. Our results confirm the value, safety, and utility of obtaining cytologic specimens at the time of ERCP; confirmation was obtained in 65.5% of pancreatic carcinoma cases. Although a negative result does not exclude pancreaticobiliary malignancy, a positive result confirms this diagnosis.

Treatment of duodenal ulcer with omeprazole or ranitidine in a Brazilian population: a multicenter double-blind, parallel group study.

Two hundred and forty-one patients with at least one ulcer at stage A1 or A2, measuring at least 5 mm in its larger diameter, were included in this Brazilian double-blind randomized study. Patients received omeprazole 20 mg in the morning (n = 120) or ranitidine 300 mg at night (n = 121) for 2 wk; unhealed ulcers were treated for an additional 2 wk. At the end of 4 wk, unhealed ulcers were treated openly with omeprazole 20 mg o.m. for 4 wk. Healing rates at 2 and 4 wk were 67.3% and 92.9% for omeprazole and 39.8% and 82.0% for ranitidine (per protocol analysis). Results were similar when analyzed as intention to treat (p significant in favor of omeprazole). Epigastric day-time pain was the most common of all symptoms (89.2%), but only heartburn at day 15 showed a significantly better response to omeprazole than to ranitidine. A multivariate analysis (logit analysis) showed that the odds in favor of healing were greater for small ulcers, nonsmokers, and omeprazole treatment.

Pseudomixoma peritoneal / Pseudomyxoma peritonei

Pseudomixoma de peritónio , uma patologia para que se manifesta por implantes de mucina na cavidade peritoneal decorrentes de tumor de ov rio ou apêndice. Os autores relatam um caso e fazem revisäo de literatura.

[Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus: diagnostic importance of partial endoscopic polypectomy]. / Carcinossarcoma de esôfago: importância diagnóstica da polipectomia endoscópica parcial.

The clinical and pathological manifestations of a case of carcinosarcoma of the esophagus are reported. Barium swallow and endoscopy revealed a polypoid mass in mid esophagus. The tumor was large, pedunculated, covered by smooth mucosa with some erosions. Histologically the tumor was composed of a mixture of invasion keratinizing cells and intermingled bundle of spindle shaped cells resembling fibrosarcoma. The tumor was removed with surgery and did not show submucosa infiltration. It was not detected any metastasis or local recurrence during the 12 months follow-up period. The diagnosis was made by an endoscopic partial polypectomy. We conclude that partial polypectomy may be of value in preoperative diagnosis of esophageal polypoid mass.

Campylobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients

The presence of Campylobacter pylori in gastric mucosa of patients with dyspeptic complaints has been described. The association of the symptoms and endoscopic and histopathologic alterations with the presence of the bacterium still remains unknown. 117 patients were studied with respect to dyspeptic symptoms, endoscopic and histopathologic examinations, microbiological analysis and urease test to detect Campylobacter pylori. Campylobacter pylori was found in 77 per cent of all patients. Of these 36.8 per cent had normal gastric mucosa and 84.7 per cent presented gastritis. There was no association between the symptoms, the endoscopic and histological findings.