Differences between endocarditis caused by Streptococcus bovis and Enterococcus spp. and their association with colorectal cancer.

Streptococcus bovis group and Enterococcus spp. share phenotypic characteristics and intestinal habitat. Both have been associated with endocarditis and colorectal neoplasm (CRN). We studied all cases of endocarditis diagnosed between 1988 and 2014 in our centre and caused by S. bovis (109, 48.8 % of the bacteremia) and by Enterococcus spp. (36, 3.4 % of the bacteremia). Patients were seen until death or during a long-term follow-up, in order to rule out a concomitant CRN. The 109 cases of S. bovis endocarditis (SbIE) compared with the 36 caused by enterococci showed: a higher proportion of males (91 % vs. 72 %, p=0.005), more multivalvular involvement (28 % vs. 6 %, p=0.004), embolic complications (44 vs. 22 %, p=0.02) and colorectal neoplasm (64 % vs. 25 %, p=0.001). SbIE showed fewer co-morbidities (32 vs. 58 %, p=0.005), and less frequently urinary infection source (0 vs. 25 %, p=0.001) and healthcare-related infection (2 vs. 44 %, p=0.001). A total of 123 patients were followed up for an extended period (mean: 65.9 ± 57.5 months). During the follow-up, 6 of 28 (21 %) cases with enterococcal endocarditis and 43 of 95 (45.2 %, p=0.01) cases with SbIE developed a new CRN. These neoplasiae appeared a mean of 60.4 months later (range 12-181 months). Among the 43 cases with SbIE and CRN, 12 had had a previously normal colonoscopy and 31 had had a previous CRN and developed a second neoplasm. Cases of SbIE present important differences with those caused by Enterococcus spp. Colonoscopy must be mandatory both in the initial evaluation of SbIE, as during the follow-up period.

Is colonoscopy necessary in cases of infection by Streptococcus bovis biotype II?

The association of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) with Streptococcus bovis biotype I (SBI) infection is well recognized. However, this is not the case for Streptococcus bovis biotype II (SBII). We conducted this study in order to analyze the relationship between SBII and CRN. We analyzed all cases of bacteremia due to SBI (n = 99) and SBII (n = 36) diagnosed in our hospital (during the period 1988-2011) that were followed up with colonoscopy. In addition, we reviewed the literature (during the period 1982-2011) to select all cases of infection of SB that had undergone colonoscopy or other adequate form of colorectal examination. A multivariate analysis was performed to detect CRN risk factors in patients infected with SB. From the 223 cases of SB infection included in the analysis (135 from our institution and 88 from the literature review), 159 were due to SBI and 64 were caused by SBII. As compared with SBI, the SBII cases had a lower frequency of CRN (27 % vs. 67 %, p <0.001), advanced adenomas (8 % vs. 29 %, p <0.01), and carcinomas (6 % vs. 21 %, p <0.01). In a multivariate analysis, and after adjusting for age, sex, type of infection, and biotype, SBII infection was not associated with CRN: odds ratio (OR) = 0.17; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.09 to 0.33. The only factor independently associated with CRN was SBI infection: OR = 5.7; 95 % CI = 3.0 to 10.9. The prevalence of CRN in patients infected with SBII is significantly lower than patients with SBI and does not appear to be higher than the CRN prevalence among the general population.

Sedation with propofol controlled by endoscopists during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: propofol is a hypnotic used with increasing frequency for sedation during endoscopic procedures. Most of the reports published related with its employment by non-anaesthesiologists, refers to basic endoscopy, with little reference to its use in advanced endoscopy. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of propofol sedation administered by endoscopists, while performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, an advanced technique that is usually performed in high anesthetic level risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective study of a series of endoscopic gastrostomy performed consecutively in our department; the sedation was carried out exclusively with propofol. The staff in the room consisted of two medical gastroenterologists, a nurse and a nursing assistant. Propofol was administered by bolus doses adjusted to patient weight. Arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure were monitored; respiratory activity was monitored visually by observing respiratory excursions of the patient. RESULTS: we included 47 patients, with an average age of 82 years. 87% were ASA III and the rest, ASA IV. The mean dose of propofol was 51 mgr. Complications were recorded: 8 cases of desaturation and two of hypotension, all of them minor and quickly reversible. All procedures were carried out successfully, at a median time of 8 minutes. CONCLUSION: the propofol sedation carried out by non-anaesthesiologist trained staff, seems to appear as a safe and effective procedure while performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

[Eosinophilic esophagitis due to allergy to sheep and goat milk proteins]. / Esofagitis eosinofílica por sensibilización a proteínas de leche de cabra y oveja.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by the presence of high numbers of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosal layer (> 20 high-power field). It is uncommon in adults but in such cases intermittent dysphagia and food impaction are the most common presenting symptoms. We report the case of a male with long-standing intermittent dysphagia after eating selected goat and sheep cheese types, who required medical help following the impaction of an ibuprofen pill in the esophagus. A biopsy demonstrated the presence of eosinophilic inflammation, and allergy testing showed specific IgE against proteins in the milk of goats and sheep. Topical steroid therapy with oral fluticasone, and the elimination of these dairy products from the diet induced complete symptom resolution, and biopsy specimens taken 4 months later showed no eosinophils.

Endoscopic treatment of acute colorectal obstruction with self-expandable metallic stents: experience in a community hospital.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and security of treatment with self-expandable metallic stents for acute colonic obstruction. METHODS: Retrospectively, we analyzed our experience in placing colonic stents in patients with acute colonic obstruction. Sixty-two patients with malignant colon obstruction were sent to our hospital endoscopic unit from February 1999 through September 2003. The mean age was 75.21 years. A total of 63 self-expandable metallic stents were implanted. All procedures were done under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Technical success was obtained in 58 patients (93.54%). Clinical improvement and resolution of the obstruction were confirmed in 56 of these 58 patients (96.55%) within 48-72 h. Sixteen complications were observed in 11 patients (19%). Twelve cases were minor complications: five patients had pain and rectal tenesmus, and there were seven cases of distal migration of the stent. Four patients (6.9%) had severe complications. Three patients underwent surgery to resolve colonic perforations and one patient developed a colovesical fistula 7 months after stent placement. The stent was used as a bridge to the elective surgery in 22 patients (37.93%). The mean time between stent placement and surgery was 7.66 days (range, 2-20). The stent was used as a definitive palliative treatment in 36 patients (62.07%). CONCLUSION: Stenting was a useful treatment of acute malignant colonic obstruction. The use of stents as a "bridge to the elective surgery" allowed the intestinal preparation, general status restoration, and a one-stage operation with resection and primary reanastomosis. We have also used the stents as a definitive palliative treatment, avoiding surgery in those patients with a very widely metastatic disease or who cannot undergo operation because of comorbid underlying conditions.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for prevention of the recurrence of acute biliary pancreatitis in patients with gallbladder in situ: long-term follow-up of 88 patients.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy without cholecystectomy is a therapeutic option in selected patients after acute biliary pancreatitis. We conducted a prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of sphincterotomy in terms of the need for of subsequent cholecystectomy and the recurrence of gallstone pancreatitis. METHODS: We studied 88 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis and an intact gallbladder who, underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy either because they were high-risk candidates for surgery or because they had refused of cholecystectomy. The median follow-up was 51 months (range, 5-86). RESULTS: Only two patients (2.2%) experienced recurrent pancreatitis. Subsequent cholecystectomy was performed in 10 patients because of acute cholecystitis in eight cases and biliary colic in two cases. Sixty-six patients (75%) remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy is a safe and acceptable alternative to cholecystectomy for the prevention of recurring attacks of gallstone pancreatitis. As a result of this procedure, 75% of patients remained free of symptoms in the long term.

Strangulated volvulus of the sigmoid colon with inviable mucosal appearance in a non-surgical patient. Endoscopic devolvulation.

Colonoscopy is presently always performed before surgical management of a volvulus in the sigmoid colon. It leads to know the viability of the mucosa and, when possible, to resolve the volvulus conservatively. Besides, with endoscopic control, we can place a decompression tube proximal to the volvulated sigmoid colon, favouring a non-surgical resolution. With this conservative approach it is possible to overcome the acute period, and to restore the viability of the sigmoid wall, waiting for a definitive surgical management with less morbidity and mortality. Only with endoscopy, revolvulation does occur in 35-50% of cases. We present the clinical case of a sigmoid volvulus with compromised sigmoid wall in an 82-year-old man with several clinical problems contraindicating surgery. Endoscopic devolvulation with tube placement was adequate to resolve this sigmoid volvulus.

[Delayed reposition of gastrostomy tube using Savary's dilators]. / Reposición diferida de sonda de gastrostomía utilizando dilatadores de Savary.

The delay in substituting a gastrostomy tube after removal leads to the gastrocutaneous tract closure and to the impossibility of putting other nourishment tube without needing another complete endoscopic procedure. We have used the technique described by Tsang through the one which and using Savary's dilators, the stenosed gastrocutaneous tract after accidental removal of the tube, is dilated permitting to put in a simple way a new one. We accomplished the procedure in three patients that attended by removal of the probe and severe stenosis of the stoma. In all they and under endoscopic control we put a new tube in a way rapid and without complications.