Safety of peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: an observational, multicenter, open label, non-interventional study in Turkish patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pegylated alfa interferon is the only immunomodulatory drug licensed for hepatitis B. We evaluated the safety and tolerability of peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) in patients with chronic hepatitis B. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 113 chronic hepatitis B patients under peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD; 180 µg/week) treatment were included in this multicenter, open label, non-interventional study, and 66 patients completed the follow-up period. Vital signs, physical examination and laboratory findings, concomitant medications, and adverse events were recorded. A Quality of Life questionnaire (Short Form-36) was performed twice, at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between initial and last visits in terms of physical examination findings and Short Form-36 scores. A total of 27 adverse events were reported in 15 patients (22.7%), with most of them being mild in intensity (70.4%). The rates of the adverse events were similar in the monotherapy and combination therapy groups (peginterferon alfa-2a + lamivudine, peginterferon alfa-2a + adefovir or peginterferon alfa-2a + entecavir therapy groups), at 23.7% and 14.3%, respectively. The dosage of peginterferon had to be reduced in 3 patients (4.5%) due to thrombocytopenia. Overall patient compliance to treatment was detected as 85.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the lack of serious adverse events and absence of impairment in Quality of Life, peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD, 180 µg/week, subcutaneously) treatment for 48 weeks led to a high level of patient compliance and was associated with a high degree of safety and tolerability for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis B in real-life practice.

Pyloric giant Brunner's gland hamartoma as a cause of both duodenojejunal intussusception and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is an important dilemma. Brunner's gland hamartoma is an extremely rare tumor generally localized in the duodenal bulb. We present a 34-year-old woman who had suffered from several episodes of melena for the past three years. Endoscopic examinations were normal. Computed tomography showed a large target lesion over the right abdomen and an image representing intestinal malrotation, which was supported by enteroclysis. At exploratory laparotomy, ligamentum of Treitz was located in the mid-to-right side of the columna vertebralis, and the duodenal bulb was found to be invaginated into the proximal jejunum. After longitudinal duodenotomy, a pedunculated ring-shaped large polyp originating from the pyloric ring was seen and excised. Histology was consistent with Brunner's gland hamartoma. This case with obscure bleeding was original with respect to its rarity and being a huge, ring-shaped tumor with pyloric localization. Moreover, the patient had a rare clinical presentation of duodenojejunal intussusception with accompanying intestinal malrotation.

Analysis of inherited thrombophilic mutations and natural anticoagulant deficiency in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension.

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is characterized by non-cirrhotic presinusoidal intrahepatic portal hypertension. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is poorly understood. Obliteration with microthrombosis of the small portal vein branches may lead to lesions underlying portal hypertension. We aimed to put forward a comprehensive thrombophilic mutation profile in IPH and its probable contribution to pathogenesis. Eleven patients and 12 controls were included. We used the CVD-StripAssay which is based on the reverse-hybridization principle to identify a total of 12 thrombophilic gene mutations: Factor V R506Q, Factor V H1299R, prothrombin G20210A, Factor XIII V34L, beta-Fibrinogen -455 G-A, PAI-1 4G/5G, platelet GPIIIa L33P, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, ACE I/D, Apo B R3500Q and Apo E2/E3/E4, respectively. We also evaluated some blood parameters and protein C, protein S, AT-III levels using commercially available assays. IPH patients and controls were similar in respect to gender distribution (P = 1.000). Mean age was 31.2 in patients and 29.1 in controls (P = 0.622). Pica history was present in 54.5% of the patients. Mean protein C and AT-III levels were lower in patients than that of controls (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Factor XIII V34L, PAI-1, GPIIIa L33P, MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C frequencies of genetic polymorphisms were found to be significantly higher among patients than that of controls. Apolipoprotein E2/E3/E4 analysis showed an inverse relationship with IPH when E2 plus E4 compared with E3. A higher frequency of Beta-Fibrinogen -455G-A mutation was observed in patients, but this difference did not reach a statistical significance. Our data represent the most comprehensive study to date with respect to thrombophilic gene polymorphisms in IPH. The data support a possible pathogenetic role in IPH, at least by some of the prothrombotic mutations. In order to confirm or refuse this proposal, a larger cohort of patients is needed.

Clarifying the relationship between ABO/Rhesus blood group antigens and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relationship between blood group antigens and peptic ulcer disease has been widely evaluated in the past. Data concerning the same association with upper gastrointestinal bleeding are very limited. We aimed to evaluate this association and we thought it was worthwhile to try to determine whether these components take some part in this complication. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1,098 adults (364 patients and 734 volunteer blood donors as controls). Demographic features, comorbid illnesses, and use of aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were recorded. Blood groups were examined by gel centrifugation method. We included only patients with bleeding from peptic ulcer disease and erosive gastropathy. Ulcers were classified by using Forrest's classification system in terms of rebleeding risk. Helicobacter pylori was examined by histology. RESULTS: The gender distribution was similar in both groups. The ABO blood group phenotype distribution in patients and controls (respectively) was as follows: 46.2% versus 34.9% for group O, 32.4% versus 39.5% for group A, 15.7% versus 18.4% for group B, and 5.8% versus 7.2% for group AB. Blood group O was found to have higher frequency in the patient group than in the control group (P=0.004). Rh positivity was also higher in patients than in controls (P=0.007). H. pylori positivity was similar between blood groups among patients. The rebleeding and mortality rates between blood groups were also similar. CONCLUSION: ABO blood group O had an important role in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The impact of blood group on rebleeding and mortality may be a focus for further studies.

The prevalence of primary and secondary Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin and probable contributing cofactors: data from southeastern Anatolia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori is the most important reason for failure in its eradication. We aimed to determine the prevalence of primary and secondary H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin in isolated H. pylori from dyspeptic patients in southeastern Anatolia and to evaluate the cofactors affecting this clinical problem. METHODOLOGY: The study involved adult patients who had already been diagnosed with symptomatic H. pylori infection based on rapid urease test, gastric histopathological examination and culture. H. pylori strains were isolated from antral biopsies taken during upper endoscopy in 142 dyspeptic patients with no previous therapy against the microorganism. MICs of clarithromycin were determined by E-test. Patients were treated for 14 days with standard triple-agent protocol. H. pylori eradication rate was assessed after 8 weeks. Each patient was re-interviewed to determine secondary resistance. Primary clarithromycin resistance was defined as pre-treatment resistance, while secondary as after treatment resistance. Strains were considered resistant to clarithromycin if the MIC > 1 microg/mL. RESULTS: In total 213-105 women and 108 men-patients was enrolled to the study. The mean age was 35.5+/-14.1 years. In 142 (66.7%) patients out of the total patients enrolled in the study, H. pylori was detected. H. pylori could be cultured from only 61 (43%) of them. In 16.4% of the cases, primary clarithromycin resistance was noted. After 8 weeks, seventy-seven (54.2%) of the 142 patients were reevaluated. Helicobacter pylori eradication could be achieved in 68.8% of them. The proportion of H. pylori eradication in clarithromycin-sensitive patients was 75.8% and the respective proportion was 10% for resistant cases. In the group where H. pylori was still positive the secondary resistance percentage was found to be 27.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of primary clarithromycin resistance is relatively high in our geographical area. Secondary resistance rate was 27.2%. None of the criteria of age, gender, presence of endoscopic lesions, detected H. pylori concentration and gastritis activity showed any effect on the primary resistance.

Does adding misoprostol to standard intravenous proton pump inhibitor protocol improve the outcome of aspirin/NSAID-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding?: a randomized prospective study.

Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastrointestinal bleeding is recognized as an important health problem. We performed a single-center randomized clinical trial to compare the effect of high-dose intravenous proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) alone (group 1) with omeprazole in combination with a low-dose prostaglandin analog (misoprostol; group 2) on clinical outcomes in patients with aspirin/NSAID-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on the late consequences. Patients were recruited to the study if they had upper gastrointestinal bleeding with history of taking aspirin or other NSAIDs within the week before the onset of bleeding. All were evaluated in terms of probable risk factors. After the standard treatment protocol, patients with histologically proven H pylori infection were prescribed a triple eradication therapy for 14 days. The primary end points were recurrent bleeding, surgery requirement, and death rates before discharge and at the end of follow-up period. This study lasted for 2 years. A total of 249 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were admitted, and 49.7% of these patients were users of aspirin/NSAIDs. There were 67 patients in group 1 and 56 in group 2. The distributions for gender, age, comorbidity, H pylori infection, and high-risk ulcer rate were similar in both groups. Among aspirin/NSAID users, endoscopy revealed duodenal ulcer in 47 (38.2%), gastric ulcer in 10 (8.1%), and erosive gastropathy in 33 (26.8%). The overall rebleeding occurred in 12.2%, death in 2.4% of the patients. The in-hospital death (P=.414), rebleeding (P=.925), and surgery (P=.547) rates were similar in both treatment groups. After the follow-up period of 3 months, overall rebleeding occurred in 4.1%, and death in 4.8% of the patients. The overall mortality rate was highest in those >65 years old, who were chronic low-dose aspirin users with comorbidity. One died of transfusion-related graft-versus-host disease. In this pilot study, we indicated that adding misoprostol (600 microg/day) to standardized proton pump inhibitor treatment did not improve or change the rebleeding or mortality rates of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding related to aspirin/NSAID use. Other prospective studies on higher doses of misoprostol are needed to establish the coeffect. One should bear in mind that all blood products must be irradiated before transfused to the host.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of liver cirrhosis in adult patients living in Southeastern Anatolia: leading role of HBV in 505 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cirrhosis is the terminal condition of liver disorders resulting from various causes. Literature lacks data on epidemiological and clinical aspects of liver cirrhosis in Turkey. We aimed to evaluate the main features of liver cirrhosis in this study. METHODOLOGY: We included in the study a total of 505 patients referred to Dicle University Hospital in the last five years and evaluated retrospectively. Demographic features, etiology, clinical findings, disease severity, complications and mortality rates were all recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients, 136 (27%) were female and 369 were (73%) male. Mean age was 50.4. The etiologic spectrum consisted of 368 HBV (72.9%), 41 HCV (8.1%), 12 alcohol (2.4%). Rate for cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) was 11.1% with mean age of 45.4. HDV superinfection was present in 17.8%. Most of the patients were in Child-Pugh class B. Number of decompensated cirrhosis cases was 278 (55%). Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) was seen in 8.9% of patients and 88% had HBV with a mean age of 60. HCC was seen more commonly in HDV superinfected patients (p = 0.035). In-patient mortality was observed in 13.2%. CONCLUSIONS: HBV is the leading etiological factor of liver cirrhosis in Southeastern Anatolia and strict measures must be taken against perinatal or horizontal transmission of contagious pathogens. Alcohol had a marginal role in cirrhosis in our region. Although HDV superinfection is decreasing with time, it may increase HCC risk. Patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis were younger and had lower Child-Pugh scores.

Long-term conventional interferon alpha in combination with lamivudine for chronic hepatitis B: data from Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Standard interferon or lamivudine monotherapy has been shown to induce a low response rate in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Genotype D represents almost the whole of chronic HBV infection of Turkish population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the long-term interferon-alpha plus lamivudine on these patients, and thereafter the co-effect of maintenance therapy by lamivudine. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study was carried out between the late 1999 and 2005. A total of 37 (24 HBeAg-positive and 13 HBeAg-negative) patients were enrolled in the study. These patients received standard interferon-alpha (9/10 MU) three times sc. a week plus lamivudine 100mg po. daily, for 52 weeks. After the interferon discontinuation, lamivudine monotherapy was assigned to be given until 4-6 months after the occurrence of HBeAg seroconversion in the HBeAg-positive patients and at least three years in HBeAg-negative patients. Response-1 was defined as the response at the end of combination therapy at the 52nd week, and Response-2 as response at the end of the follow-up period under lamivudine monotherapy. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: Patients' follow-up ranged between 7-67 months, with a mean duration of 29.64 +/- 14.01 months. Twenty-six patients (70.3%) had a Response-1, both virological and biochemical. A biochemical Response-2 was achieved in 24 patients (64.9%), while virological Response-2 in 17 (45.9%). Response-1 and Response-2 were similar between HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients (p = 0.262 and p = 0.734, respectively). HBeAg seroconversion was achieved only in 8 (33.3%) of HBeAg-positive patients. Clinical resistance to lamivudine developed only in 9 (24.3%) of the patients. Decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma did not observe in any case. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the efficacy of the 'long-term' anti-viral maintenance along with the combination therapy in genotype D predominant chronic hepatitis B patients. A low clinical resistance rate to lamivudine was achieved.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a bacterial infection of ascitic fluid which arises in the absence of any other intraabdominal infection source. SBP may develop in all cirrhotic patients with ascites. Gram-negative aerobic bacteria and non-enterococcal Streptococcus spp. are the most common organisms isolated from ascites. Diagnosis necessarily relies on paracentesis and requires a high index of suspicion. The incidence of mortality of the first episode varies between 10% and 46%. Early antibiotic treatment is warranted. Renal impairment develops in approximately one-third of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and is postulated to arise as a result of a further reduction in effective arterial blood volume. Cefotaxime has been the most extensively studied antibiotic for this infection. It is considered to be one of the first choice antibiotics because of low toxicity and excellent efficacy. Although parenteral antibiotics are generally used, studies evaluated the efficacy of several oral antibiotics in patients with relatively good clinical conditions. The reported probability of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis recurrence one year after the first attack averaged 40 to 69%. Selective intestinal decontamination with 400 mg norfloxacin per day decreased the overall probability of recurrence from 68% to 20% in 1 year of follow-up.

A comprehensive analysis of 12 thrombophilic mutations and related parameters in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: data from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Possible association of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the most common inherited prothrombotic conditions has been the focus of many investigations. Advance in modern molecular biology is expanding the thrombophilia evaluation steadily. We tried to put forward a comprehensive thrombophilic profile in IBD and to see the probable role of this profile in pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 60 adults (33 patients and 27 healthy controls) were included. We used the CVD-StripAssay which is based on the reverse-hybridization principle to identify a total of 12 thrombophilic gene mutations: Factor V R506Q, Factor V H1299R, prothrombin G20210A, Factor XIII V34L, beta-Fibrinogen-455 G-A, PAI-1 4G/5G, platelet GPIIIa L33P, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, ACE I/D, Apo B R3500Q and Apo E2/E3/E4, respectively. Besides, we evaluated many related blood parameters such as protein C, protein S, AT-III, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Apo-A1, Apo-B100, homocysteine (tHcy) etc. using commercially available assays. RESULTS: The frequencies of genetic polymorphisms were found to be statistically insignificant among patients and controls, except for three: Beta-Fibrinogen-455G-A, MTHFR A1298C and ACE-I/D. Two patients with a history of deep venous thrombosis had more than one polymorphism. Patients with MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C gene mutations had a similar mean tHcy levels with controls. Patients with Apolipoprotein B R3500Q and Apolipoprotein E4 gene mutations had similar mean LDL-cholesterol levels. Mean total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were similar in patients and controls of Apo E2, E3, E4 alleles. CONCLUSION: Predominantly, the presence of genetic mutations that predispose to hypercoagulable states does not appear to be in correlation with IBD. There was a statistical difference between the proportions of the mutated allele frequencies of Beta-Fibrinogen-455G-A, MTHFR A1298C and ACE-I/D in IBD.

[Investigation of autoantibody, anti-HCV and anti-HIV seropositivities in "anti-HBc alone" positive samples]. / SALT Anti-HBc Pozitif orneklerde otoantikor, anti-HCV ve anti-HIV seropozitifliginin arastirilmasi.

"Anti-HBc alone" which is an unusual serologic pattern of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, may be detected in the seropositive samples for hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and in the presence of autoantibodies due to cross reactions. In this study, 20 serum samples with isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, which were detected in May 2005, have been investigated by means of the presence of some autoantibodies (anti-nuclear antibody; ANA and rheumatoid factor; RF), anti-HCV and anti-HIV, in the Central Laboratory of Dicle University Medical School. All of the "anti-HBc alone" samples were negative for HBV-DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and liver enzyme (ALT and AST) levels were normal except for three patients. As a result, a total of six (30%) samples were found positive. Four of them were positive for ANA and two were positive for anti-HCV, while one serum yielded positivity for both ANA and anti-HCV. Anti-HCV positive samples were searched for the presence of HCV-RNA by real-time PCR, and none were found positive. Of three patients with increased AST and ALT levels, one was anti-HCV positive, one was ANA positive, while the other was negative for all parameters. In conclusion, possible presence of autoantibodies and anti-HCV should be taken into consideration during the evaluation of isolated anti-HBc IgG positive test results.

Fenofibrate treatment in two adults with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II is a rare familial disorder of bilirubin conjugation with consecutive life-long unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. In the presence of severe hyperbilirubinemia, a fetus or an adult is at risk for neurological defects in this syndrome. This paper is the first report emphasizing details about this disorder in two patients from Turkey. The diagnosis was made on the basis of history and laboratory findings excluding other causes of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Phenobarbital loading test and C bile analysis also supported the diagnosis. There was a study in the literature in which treatment with chlofibrate had been recommended in this syndrome. Based on the results of that study, we administered fenofibrate treatment to our patients for one month and analyzed serum bilirubin levels before and after this procedure. No improvement in bilirubin levels was observed in either case.

A head to head comparison of oral vs intravenous omeprazole for patients with bleeding peptic ulcers with a clean base, flat spots and adherent clots.

AIM: To compare the effect of intravenous and oral omeprazole in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers without high-risk stigmata. METHODS: This randomized study included 211 patients [112 receiving iv omeprazole protocol (Group 1), 99 receiving po omeprazole 40 mg every 12 h (Group 2)] with a mean age of 52.7. In 144 patients the ulcers showed a clean base, and in 46 the ulcers showed flat spots and in 21 old adherent clots. The endpoints were re-bleeding, surgery, hospital stay, blood transfusion and death. After discharge, re-bleeding and death were re-evaluated within 30 d. RESULTS: The study groups were similar with respect to baseline characteristics. Re-bleeding was recorded in 5 patients of Group 1 and in 4 patients of Group 2 (P = 0.879). Three patients in Group 1 and 2 in Group 2 underwent surgery (P = 0.773). The mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 +/- 1.6 d in Group 1 vs 4.5 +/- 2.6 d in Group 2 (P = 0.710); the mean amounts of blood transfusion were 1.9 +/- 1.1 units in Group 1 vs 2.1 +/- 1.7 units in Group 2 (P = 0.350). Four patients, two in each group died (P = 0.981). After discharge, a new bleeding occurred in 2 patients of Group 1 and in 1 patient of Group 2, and one patient from Group 1 died. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the effect of oral omeprazole is as effective as intravenous therapy in terms of re-bleeding, surgery, transfusion requirements, hospitalization and mortality in patients with bleeding ulcers with low risk stigmata. These patients can be treated effectively with oral omeprazole.

Changes in pulse oximetry levels and factors affecting oxygen saturation during routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with or without sedation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to investigate whether endoscopy or midazolam as premedication causes oxygen desaturation and to determine factors which may affect the occurrence of oxygen desaturation. METHODS: Totally 200 patients with various indications (103 men and 97 women), who presented to the Endoscopy Unit of Dicle University Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination, were included in the study. Anamnesis and anthropometric values of the patients were taken. Preoperative oxygen saturation, hemoglobin levels and heart rate per minute were recorded. Patients with initial oxygen saturation levels <90% were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 100 patients who underwent endoscopic examination without sedation and the second group included 100 patients who underwent endoscopic examination with sedation [midazolam (2-5 mg)]. At the end of endoscopy, intravenous flumazenil (0.2 mg) was administered to the premedication patients. Patients were monitored for oxygen saturation and heart rate starting before the sedation and oropharynx anesthesia and lasting until 1 min after the end of the procedure. During the endoscopic examination, minimum oxygen saturation and maximum heart rate values were recorded. The duration of the oxygen saturation <90% was recorded throughout the procedure and the relation of this time with the total time of the endoscopic examination was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the 200 patients included in the study was 45 and 44 years for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of body mass index, smoking, hemoglobin and basal maximum pulse rate, duration of endoscopy, minimum basal oxygen saturation, duration of hypoxia and time to hypoxia. No relation was determined between oxygen desaturation and gender, duration of the endoscopy, basal pulse rate or hemoglobin level. It was found that smoking made significant contributions to the oxygen desaturation. CONCLUSION: Midazolam premedication for upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy is a reliable procedure and does not contribute an additional risk in individuals without serious comorbidities. Smoking habits should be taken into account in endoscopy patients.

Analysis of 1242 cases with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding in Southeastern Turkey: a different etiologic spectrum.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few detailed reports on gastrointestinal system bleeding in Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the patients with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding who were hospitalized in our clinic. METHODOLOGY: The patients who were hospitalized in Dicle University Hospital Department of Gastroenterology from March 1992 to June 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: During this period of time, 296 females (23.8%) and 946 males (76.2%), total 1242 patients were hospitalized for upper gastrointestinal system bleeding. Mean age was 47 for both sexes. Distribution of the cases was as follows: 31.6% duodenal ulcer (n: 393), 30.5% esophageal variceal bleeding (n: 379), 13.7% erosive gastritis (n: 171), 6.8% erosive duodenitis (n: 85), 4.9% gastric ulcer (n: 62), 2.8% carcinoma (n: 35), and 3.5% other causes. Peptic ulcer related bleeding was the most encountered reason (37.5%, n: 466). Four percent of the cases other than esophageal variceal bleeding underwent urgent surgical intervention. Eleven percent of the cases (n: 138) resulted in death of which 65.9% were esophageal variceal bleeding (n: 91). CONCLUSIONS: The most striking result is the very high rate of esophageal variceal bleeding. This finding is in concordance with the high prevalence of the viral hepatitis in the region.

Evaluation of optimal gastric mucosal biopsy site and number for identification of Helicobacter pylori, gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The study is designed to identify the optimal gastric mucosal biopsy site and number for identification of Helicobacter pylori, gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-two patients were included in the study, gastric biopsies were obtained from 5 different sites: lesser curvature of the mid-antrum (A1), greater curvature of the mid-antrum (A2), incisura angularis (IA), lesser curvature of the mid-corpus (B1), greater curvature of the mid-corpus (B2). Helicobacter pylori was evaluated in sections stained with toluidine blue, and histopathological examination was performed in sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were positive for Helicobacter pylori at least in one biopsy site. Helicobacter pylori was positive in 47 patients (64.3%) in A1, in 54 patients (73.9%) in A2, in 60 patients (82.1%) in IA, 44 patients (60.2%) in B1, and in 42 patients (57.5%) in B2. The highest positivity determined was in the combination of A2 and IA sites (95.8%). Gastric atrophy was determined in 35 of 73 patients (27.1% in A1, 20% in A2, 25.7% in IA, 20% in B1, and 7% in B2). Intestinal metaplasia was determined in 31 of the Helicobacter pylori-positive patients (18% in A1, 16% in A2, 30.9% in IA, 21.8% in B1, 12.7% in B2). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that taking biopsies from both A1 and IA sites has the highest sensitivity in detecting Helicobacter pylori. However, it is difficult to define a specific site for detecting gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia.

An unusual presentation of primary amyloidosis.

A 65-year-old male patient presented with right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic lesion in the perihepatic and intraparenchymal area. Computed tomography (CT) showed hypodense lesion in the same localization. A fine needle biopsy specimen of the perihepatic lesion was hemorrhagic. On abdominal CT, the liver showed enhancement, but the spleen did not enhance. The spleen could not be detected by scintigraphic imaging using Tc99m sulfur dioxide. A diagnosis of primary amyloidosis was made by renal biopsy. Melphalan 10 mg/day for 4 days/month was started. The clinical and radiological follow up demonstrated a resorption of the hematoma. The patient is still alive at the eighth month of therapy.