Polystyrene Microplastics Causes Diarrhea and Impairs Intestinal Angiogenesis through the ROS/METTL3 Pathway.

Due to the immature intestinal digestion, immunity, and barrier functions, weaned infants are more susceptible to pathogens and develop diarrhea. Microplastics (MPs), pervasive contaminants in food, water, and air, have unknown effects on the intestinal development of weaned infants. This study explored the impact of polystyrene MPs on intestinal development using a weaned piglet model. Piglets in the control group received a basal diet, and those in the experimental groups received a basal diet contaminated with 150 mg/kg polystyrene MPs. The results showed that exposure to polystyrene MPs increased the diarrhea incidence and impaired the intestinal barrier function of weaned piglets. Notably, the exposure led to oxidative stress and inflammation in the intestine. Furthermore, polystyrene MPs-treated weaned piglets showed a reduced level of intestinal angiogenesis. Mechanistically, polystyrene MPs suppressed methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) expression by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, consequently destabilizing angiogenic factors' mRNA and hindering intestinal angiogenesis. In summary, polystyrene MPs contamination in the diet increases diarrhea and compromises intestinal angiogenesis through the ROS/METTL3 pathway, demonstrating their toxic effects on the intestine health of weaned infants.

Animal models with characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: current applications and future perspectives.

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a common intestinal condition that significantly impacts work efficiency and quality of life. The use of animal models is crucial for delving into the pathophysiology of IBS-D and exploring therapeutic options. However, a wide variety of animal models for IBS-D has been used in previous studies, posing a considerable challenge for researchers in selecting a suitable model. In this review, using the Web of Science database, we searched IBS-D-related research spanning from 2014 to 2023; described the differences in animal strains and modeling methods among various IBS-D features recapitulating models; summarized the frequency of model usage, pathogenesis, and pathological characteristics of these models; and discussed their current applications, limitations, and future perspectives. The objective is to offer theoretical guidance for future researchers, aiding them in choosing suitable animal models based on their experimental designs.

Health and economic burden of foodborne zoonotic diseases in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Diseases from food of animal origin are common health problems in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate health and economic burden, and to identify demographic factors associated with community awareness of foodborne zoonotic diseases in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data was collected from 435 households in three towns: Gondar, Lalibela and Debark. A retrospective data was also collected from health records in each town. The health burden due to zoonotic diseases was estimated at 0.2, 0.1 and 1.3 DALYs per household per year and at 73.2, 146.6 and 1,689.5 DALYs out of 100,000 populations per year in Gondar, Lalibela and Debark, respectively. The overall health burden due to foodborne zoonotic diseases (aggregated over the 435 households in the three towns) was estimated to be 89.9 DALYs per 100,000 populations per year. The economic impact of foodborne zoonotic diseases in the three towns of Amhara regional state was 278.98 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (1ETB = 0.025 US Dollar) per household per year and 121,355.68 ETB per year. Costs of preventive measures followed by costs of patients' time made the highest contribution while costs of diagnosis made the lowest contribution to the total economic burden of foodborne zoonotic diseases. From a total of 435 respondents, 305 (70.1%) had known the presence of zoonotic diseases. Level of education, number of families in the house and income were highly associated with awareness of zoonosis. Although majority of respondents had known zoonotic diseases exists (70.1%) and disease can be acquired from animal source food (63.2%), the health and economic burden associated to foodborne zoonotic diseases are still high. Therefore, changing mindset and practical training aiming in controlling foodborne zoonotic diseases may be suggested to the community in the health improvement extension service.

Decreased NHE3 activity in intestinal epithelial cells in TGEV and PEDV-induced piglet diarrhea.

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) are highly transmissible intestinal infections caused by transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), respectively. They are clinically associated with vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration in piglets. An imbalance in Na+ uptake by intestinal epithelial cells causes TGEV/PEDV-induced diarrhea. However, the mechanism by which TGEV/PEDV-infection in piglets causes Na+ imbalance diarrhea has not been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that specific inhibition of NHE3 activity caused small intestinal bulging, intestinal wall thinning and severe diarrhea in piglets, consistent with the signs of TGEV/PEDV infection. This study further elucidated the role of NHE3 in TGEV/PEDV-induced diarrhea. In this study, small intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were used as a model of infection. The results showed that TGEV/PEDV infection reduced NHE3 activity and Na+ uptake in IPEC-J2 cells. Further studies revealed that the use of NHE3-specific inhibitors could reduce the amount of cell membrane NHE3, thereby decreasing Na+ uptake and ultimately leading to diarrhea. Transcriptomic studies performed on obtained jejunal tissues were also consistent with pre-laboratory results. This study will provide a basis for understanding Na+ imbalance diarrhea caused by TGEV/PEDV, as well as for elucidating the diarrheal pathogenesis of other members of α-animal coronaviruses.

Wei Chang An pill regulates gastrointestinal motility in a bidirectional manner.

CONTEXT: Wei Chang An (WCA) is a commercial prescription developed for the coordination of gastrointestinal movement. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of WCA in the regulation of diarrhoea and constipation in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The diarrhoea and constipation models were prepared by gavage of Folium senna and diphenoxylate hydrochloride. Rats were randomized equally (n = 6) into the normal group given saline daily, the positive group given Pinaverium Bromide (13.5 mg/kg) or Sennoside A (0.1 mg/kg) and three WCA-treated groups (22, 44, and 88 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 7 consecutive days. The effects of WCA were assessed by a series of faecal symptoms and histopathology. Gastrointestinal parameters were determined by ELISA. The effect of WCA on gastrointestinal tissues was evaluated by strip assay. Expression of ROCK-1 and MLCK was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Data from Bristol stool form scale, diarrhoea index, visceral sensitivity, defaecation time, and intestinal propulsive rate showed that WCA protected rats against diarrhoea and constipation (p < 0.01). The up-regulation of Substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine in diarrhoea rats and down-regulation of Substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in constipation rats were inhibited by WCA (p < 0.05). WCA stimulated the gastrointestinal strip contractions but inhibited ACh-induced contractions (p < 0.01). The decreased ROCK-1 and MLCK expression in diarrhoea rats and increased in constipation rats were suppressed by WCA (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: WCA has both antidiarrhea and anti-constipation effects, suggesting its bidirectional role in gastrointestinal modulation, and providing evidence of WCA for irritable bowel syndrome treatment.

Psidium guajava leaf extract improves gastrointestinal functions in rats and rabbits: an implication for ulcer and diarrhoea management.

PURPOSE: Psidium guajava L. (Family, Myrtaceae) is reportedly used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diarrhoea, inflammation, and gastroenteritis. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the gastrointestinal function of Psidium guajava leaf extract (PGLE) in rats and rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude ethanolic PGLE was subjected to phytochemical and toxicity tests (acute and sub-acute). Standard analytical procedures were employed to evaluate the in vivo gastrointestinal motility, and gastroprotective effect of PGLE against aspirin-induced ulcers. RESULTS: In the phytochemical analysis, phenols were the highest (48.32 mg) followed by flavonoids (32.74 mg) and least in tannins (7.31 mg). The acute toxicity of PGLE was >6000 mg/kg. Administration of PGLE decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the body weight, while the liver biomarkers were not significantly altered (p > 0.05) when compared to the control. PGLE significantly increased extractible mucus weight and lowered gastric acid secretion in rats (p < 0.05). PGLE decreased significantly (p < 0.05) ulcer scores and indexes, and increased percentage ulcer inhibition in a dose-dependent manner compared to the negative and omeprazole-treated groups. PGLE dose-dependently inhibited basal amplitudes of contractions, and significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced contractions, terminating them completely at higher doses. CONCLUSION: PGLE may be a good anti-ulcer and anti-diarrhoeal agent, raising the prospect of novel drug development for such applications.

Psychological and Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Undergoing a Low-FODMAP Diet: The Role of the Intestinal Barrier.

A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (LFD) improves both gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the psychological profile of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). The effects of 12 weeks of LFD on GI symptom and psychological profiles in relation to inflammation and the involvement of the intestinal barrier were studied in twenty IBS-D patients. The IBS Severity Scoring System, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Italian version of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, the IBS-Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire, and the Psychophysiological questionnaire were administered. The GI barrier function was assessed by sugar absorption test, the serum and fecal zonulin levels, and the serum levels of intestinal fatty-acid binding protein and diamine oxidase. Interleukins (ILs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serum levels were evaluated along with dysbiosis. At the end of LFD, GI symptoms, psychological state (mainly anxiety, somatization, psychoticism, and interpersonal sensitivity), and QoL significantly improved in these patients. Simultaneously, an improvement in small intestinal permeability and intestinal mucosal integrity occurred, while IL-6, Il-10, LPS, and fermentative dysbiosis significantly decreased. The LFD can modify the immune-inflammatory features and enhance intestinal permeability and mucosal integrity, thus determining a concurrent improvement in the clinical and psychological conditions.

Characteristics of Three Person-to-Person Transmission Clusters of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Southeastern China.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease worldwide. It can be transmitted from person to person, and the fatality rate is very high. During this study, three SFTS clusters including 12 associated cases were identified in three counties in Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2020. The median age of the three index patients was 70 years, and that of secondary case patients was 59 years. Of note, the mortality rate of the index patients was 100%. The mortality rate of secondary case patients was 11%. The total secondary attack rate (SAR) was 30% (9/30). The SARs of cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C were 38% (3/8), 21% (3/14), and 38% (3/8), respectively. Additionally, the interval from onset to diagnosis was 4 days. The intervals from disease onset to confirmation of the index cases and secondary cases were 7 days and 4 days, respectively. All secondary case patients had a history of close contact with blood or body fluids of the index patients. These results indicate that SFTS patients should not be discharged until recovery. When SFTS patients die, the corpses should be transferred directly from the hospital to the crematorium for cremation by persons wearing proper protective equipment to prevent virus transmission.

Dietary niacin affects intestinal morphology and functions via modulating cell proliferation in weaned piglets.

Niacin deficiency leads to inflammation of mucous membranes and diarrhoea. There are few reports on the effects of niacin on the intestinal health of weaned piglets. The present study was conducted to analyse the effects of niacin in weaned piglets along with its underlying mechanism. A total of 48 25-day-old weaned piglets (24 females and 24 males) were randomly allotted into four groups, each treatment were supplemented with 22.5, 30, 45, and 75 mg kg-1 niacin for a period of 14 days, with 12 piglets per diet and 1 piglet per pen. Six piglets (3 males and 3 females) were randomly selected from each treatment group and euthanised for intestinal tissue sampling on days 7 and 14 after the weaning day (day 0), respectively. Dietary niacin did not affect the growth performance of weaned piglets but quadratically affected (P < 0.05) the diarrhoea rate from days 7 to 14. The duodenal villus height and width and crypt depth in the 30 mg kg-1 niacin group were greater than those in the 45 mg kg-1 niacin group on day 7, and the jejunal crypt depth, ileal crypt depth, villus height and villus width decreased (linear, P < 0.05) with the increase in dietary niacin. However, the dietary supplementation with niacin increased (linear, P < 0.001) the jejunal villus height, crypt depth and villus width on day 14. Dietary niacin increased (linear, P < 0.05) the alkaline phosphatase activity in the jejunal mucosa of weaned piglets on day 7 but decreased (linear, P < 0.05) its activity on day 14. The number of Ki67 positive cells per crypt was decreased (linear, P < 0.05) with the dietary niacin on day 7 but increased (linear, P < 0.05) with dietary niacin contents on day 14. Moreover, dietary niacin altered (P < 0.05) SLC5A1, SLC15A1, SLC6A19, TJP-1, occludin and claudin-1 mRNA expression in the small intestine. These results indicate that dietary niacin has different effects on intestinal morphology and functions in the first and second weeks postweaning and that the dietary supplementation with niacin may, by modulating intestinal cell proliferation, affect the intestinal health.

Abdominal Pain and Depression, Not Bowel Habits, Predict Health Care Utilization in Patients With Functional Bowel Disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) are high users of health care. Past studies exploring predictors of utilization have lacked patient-level clinical data. The aim of the current study is to identify demographic, clinical, and psychological predictors of health care utilization in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation (FC), and functional diarrhea (FDr). METHODS: Consecutive new patients diagnosed with IBS, FC, and FDr (using Rome IV criteria) completed questionnaires assessing health care utilization as well as clinical and psychological symptoms. Health care utilization was assessed using a 13-item measure inquiring about the previous 6 months. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) was used to assess severity of abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Of the 507 patients diagnosed with IBS, FC, or FDr, 434 completed the health care utilization questionnaire (mean age of 44 years, 79.5% female, and 73.5% IBS). In the final multivariable models, more severe abdominal pain and higher depression scores were significantly associated with increased utilization of (i) total outpatient visits, (ii) outpatient visits for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and (iii) number of medications for GI symptoms. More severe abdominal pain was also significantly predictive of GI-related emergency department visits. Altered bowel habits were not consistent predictors of health care utilization. DISCUSSION: Severity of abdominal pain and depressive symptoms, but not bowel habits, is a primary driver of increased care-seeking behavior in patients with IBS, FC, and FDr.

The 5-HT3 Receptor Affects Rotavirus-Induced Motility.

Rotavirus infection is highly prevalent in children, and the most severe effects are diarrhea and vomiting. It is well accepted that the enteric nervous system (ENS) is activated and plays an important role, but knowledge of how rotavirus activates nerves within ENS and to the vomiting center is lacking. Serotonin is released during rotavirus infection, and antagonists to the serotonin receptor subtype 3 (5-HT3 receptor) can attenuate rotavirus-induced diarrhea. In this study, we used a 5-HT3 receptor knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of this receptor in rotavirus-induced diarrhea, motility, electrolyte secretion, inflammatory response, and vomiting reflex. The number of diarrhea days (P = 0.03) and the number of mice with diarrhea were lower in infected 5-HT3 receptor KO than wild-type pups. In vivo investigation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran transit time showed that intestinal motility was lower in the infected 5-HT3 receptor KO compared to wild-type mice (P = 0.0023). Ex vivo Ussing chamber measurements of potential difference across the intestinal epithelia showed no significant difference in electrolyte secretion between the two groups. Immediate early gene cFos expression level showed no difference in activation of the vomiting center in the brain. Cytokine analysis of the intestine indicated a low effect of inflammatory response in rotavirus-infected mice lacking the 5-HT3 receptor. Our findings indicate that the 5-HT3 receptor is involved in rotavirus-induced diarrhea via its effect on intestinal motility and that the vagus nerve signaling to the vomiting center occurs also in the absence of the 5-HT3 receptor. IMPORTANCE The mechanisms underlying rotavirus-induced diarrhea and vomiting are not yet fully understood. To better understand rotavirus pathophysiology, characterization of nerve signaling within the ENS and through vagal efferent nerves to the brain, which have been shown to be of great importance to the disease, is necessary. Serotonin (5-HT), a mediator of both diarrhea and vomiting, has been shown to be released from enterochromaffin cells in response to rotavirus infection and the rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4. Here, we investigated the role of the serotonin receptor 5-HT3, which is known to be involved in the nerve signals that regulate gut motility, intestinal secretion, and signal transduction through the vagus nerve to the brain. We show that the 5-HT3 receptor is involved in rotavirus-induced diarrhea by promoting intestinal motility. The findings shed light on new treatment possibilities for rotavirus diarrhea.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, underlying comorbidities, and outcomes of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reported 62 pediatric patients (age <14 years) with confirmed COVID-19 between March 2 and July 1, 2020, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Comorbid conditions, including cardiac, neurological, respiratory, and malignant disorders, were reported in 9 patients (14.5%). The most prominent presenting complaints were fever (80.6%) and cough (48.4%). Most of our patients (80.6%) had mild disease, 11.3% had moderate disease, and 8.1% exhibited severe and critical illness. Twenty-one patients (33.9%) were hospitalized, with 4 patients (6.5%) admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and 3 (4.8%) patients died. CONCLUSION: All pediatric age groups are susceptible to COVID-19, with no gender difference. COVID-19 infection may result in critical illness and even mortality in subsets of pediatric patients.

Identifying COVID-19 cases in outpatient settings.

Case identification is an ongoing issue for the COVID-19 epidemic, in particular for outpatient care where physicians must decide which patients to prioritise for further testing. This paper reports tools to classify patients based on symptom profiles based on 236 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive cases and 564 controls, accounting for the time course of illness using generalised multivariate logistic regression. Significant symptoms included abdominal pain, cough, diarrhoea, fever, headache, muscle ache, runny nose, sore throat, temperature between 37.5 and 37.9 °C and temperature above 38 °C, but their importance varied by day of illness at assessment. With a high percentile threshold for specificity at 0.95, the baseline model had reasonable sensitivity at 0.67. To further evaluate accuracy of model predictions, leave-one-out cross-validation confirmed high classification accuracy with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. For the baseline model, sensitivity decreased to 0.56. External validation datasets reported similar result. Our study provides a tool to discern COVID-19 patients from controls using symptoms and day from illness onset with good predictive performance. It could be considered as a framework to complement laboratory testing in order to differentiate COVID-19 from other patients presenting with acute symptoms in outpatient care.

Defining Kawasaki disease and pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome-temporally associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection during SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Italy: results from a national, multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence on the existence of a Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome-temporally associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS), sharing similarities with Kawasaki Disease (KD). The main outcome of the study were to better characterize the clinical features and the treatment response of PIMS-TS and to explore its relationship with KD determining whether KD and PIMS are two distinct entities. METHODS: The Rheumatology Study Group of the Italian Pediatric Society launched a survey to enroll patients diagnosed with KD (Kawasaki Disease Group - KDG) or KD-like (Kawacovid Group - KCG) disease between February 1st 2020, and May 31st 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data, treatment information, and patients' outcome were collected in an online anonymized database (RedCAP®). Relationship between clinical presentation and SARS-CoV-2 infection was also taken into account. Moreover, clinical characteristics of KDG during SARS-CoV-2 epidemic (KDG-CoV2) were compared to Kawasaki Disease patients (KDG-Historical) seen in three different Italian tertiary pediatric hospitals (Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste; AOU Meyer, Florence; IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa) from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2019. Chi square test or exact Fisher test and non-parametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were used to study differences between two groups. RESULTS: One-hundred-forty-nine cases were enrolled, (96 KDG and 53 KCG). KCG children were significantly older and presented more frequently from gastrointestinal and respiratory involvement. Cardiac involvement was more common in KCG, with 60,4% of patients with myocarditis. 37,8% of patients among KCG presented hypotension/non-cardiogenic shock. Coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) were more common in the KDG. The risk of ICU admission were higher in KCG. Lymphopenia, higher CRP levels, elevated ferritin and troponin-T characterized KCG. KDG received more frequently immunoglobulins (IVIG) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (81,3% vs 66%; p = 0.04 and 71,9% vs 43,4%; p = 0.001 respectively) as KCG more often received glucocorticoids (56,6% vs 14,6%; p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 assay more often resulted positive in KCG than in KDG (75,5% vs 20%; p < 0.0001). Short-term follow data showed minor complications. Comparing KDG with a KD-Historical Italian cohort (598 patients), no statistical difference was found in terms of clinical manifestations and laboratory data. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection might determine two distinct inflammatory diseases in children: KD and PIMS-TS. Older age at onset and clinical peculiarities like the occurrence of myocarditis characterize this multi-inflammatory syndrome. Our patients had an optimal response to treatments and a good outcome, with few complications and no deaths.

Characterization of the pathophysiological determinants of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli infection using a challenge model in healthy adults.

An experimental human challenge model with an attenuated diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain has been used in food intervention studies aimed to increase resistance to E. coli infection. This study was designed to refine and expand this challenge model. In a double-blind study, healthy male subjects were orally challenged with 1E10 or 5E10 colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli strain E1392/75-2A. Three weeks later, subjects were rechallenged with 1E10 CFU of E. coli. Before and after both challenges, clinical symptoms and infection- and immune-related biomarkers were analyzed. Subset analysis was performed on clinically high- and low-responders. Regardless of inoculation dose, the first challenge induced clinical symptoms for 2-3 days. In blood, neutrophils, CRP, CXCL10, and CFA/II-specific IgG were induced, and in feces calprotectin and CFA/II-specific IgA. Despite clinical differences between high- and low-responders, infection and immune biomarkers did not differ. The first inoculation induced protection at the second challenge, with a minor clinical response, and no change in biomarkers. The refined study design resulted in a larger dynamic range of symptoms, and identification of biomarkers induced by a challenge with the attenuated E. coli strain E1392/75-2A, which is of value for future intervention studies. Addition of a second inoculation allows to study the protective response induced by a primary infection.Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT02541695 (04/09/2015).

Gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19: results from a European centre.

BACKGROUND: Infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is typically associated with a respiratory syndrome, but gastrointestinal symptoms have been described in early reports from China. However, data from European centres are scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterise the gastrointestinal manifestations of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their disease course. METHODS: Patients admitted at our centre between March and April 2020 with diagnosis of COVID-19 were included. Asymptomatic patients or those without symptom information were excluded. Clinical features, laboratory data and disease severity (mechanical ventilation, intensive care admission or death) were analysed. RESULTS: Two-hundred one patients were included (median age 71 years; 56.2% male). Digestive symptoms were reported by 60 (29.9%) patients during the disease course, being part of the disease presentation in 34 (16.9%). The most frequent were diarrhoea in 36 patients (17.9%). Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were younger (P = 0.032), had higher haemoglobin levels (P = 0.002) and lower C-reactive protein (P = 0.045) and potassium levels (P = 0.004). Patients with digestive symptoms had less severe disease (28.3 vs. 44.0%; P = 0.038). Regarding liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was elevated in 65.2% of patients and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 62.7%, but these patients did not present a more severe disease (elevated AST P = 0.062; elevated ALT P = 0.276). CONCLUSION: A significant portion of COVID-19 patients have digestive symptoms, mostly at presentation. This should be taken into account in order to keep a high level of suspicion to reach an early diagnosis and setup infection control measures to control the transmission rate. This subgroup of patients appears to have a less severe disease course.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and dengue: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: The pandemic of this century has overwhelmed the healthcare systems of affected countries, and all resources have been diverted to coronavirus disease 2019. At the onset, coronavirus disease 2019 can present as any other acute febrile undifferentiated illness. In tropical regions, clinicians are increasingly challenged to differentiate these febrile illnesses without the use of diagnostics. With this pandemic, many of these tropical diseases are neglected and go underreported. Dengue is holoendemic in the Maldives, and dengue viruses circulate throughout the year. Reports about coinfections with dengue virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are scarce, and the outcome and the dynamics of the disease may be altered in the presence of coinfection. We have described the clinical manifestation and serial laboratory profile, and highlighted the atypical findings uncommon in dengue infection. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 was a 39-year old Asian male, presented on day 6 of dengue infection with warning signs. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that was done as per hospital protocol was found to be positive. Case 2 was a 38-year old Asian male, was admitted on day 5 of illness with symptoms of acute respiratory infection with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Evaluation of progressive leukopenia and thrombocytopenia showed positive dengue serology. CONCLUSION: Clinicians must be conscientious when working on the differential diagnosis of possible tropical diseases in cases of coronavirus disease 2019, specifically, when patients develop hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis with elevated expression of aspartate higher than alanine transaminase, which is frequently observed in dengue infection. Caution must be taken during the administration of intravenous fluids when treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and dengue coinfection, as coronavirus disease 2019 patients are more prone to develop pulmonary edema. Timely diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to avoid the devastating complications of severe forms of dengue infection. It is important to repeat and reconfirm the dengue serology in coronavirus disease 2019 patients to avoid false positivity. Diligence and care must be taken not to neglect other endemic tropical diseases in the region during the present pandemic.

Herbal medicine WangShiBaoChiWan improves gastrointestinal health in mice via modulation of intestinal tight junctions and gut microbiota and inhibition of inflammation.

WangShiBoChiWan (WSBCW) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, its preclinical efficacy and the mechanisms of action have not been adequately studied. The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of WSBCW on gastrointestinal health and modulation of related biomarkers. Female C57BL mice were randomly assigned into one of the experimental groups consisting of the control, drug controls, and WSBCW at 40, 120, and 360 mg/kg BW. Whole gut transit, small intestinal motility, and intestinal barrier permeability were determined. The castor oil-induced diarrhea mouse model was used to determine the effect of WSBCW on the diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). WSBCW increased whole gut transit and intestinal motility, improved intestinal permeability in healthy animals and alleviated diarrhea symptoms in IBS-D mice. WSBCW upregulated intestinal junction proteins, increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium genus, Desulfovibrio genus and inhibited Bacteroides fragillis group in the gut microbiota, increased intestinal villi lengths, and decreased blood levels of inflammatory cytokines. Our study provided preclinical evidence to verify the effectiveness of WSBCW in gastrointestinal health and elucidate mechanistic insights. The results warrant further investigations to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of WSBCW on gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS and IBD.

Implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection for neurogastroenterology.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestation in up to one fifth of patients. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of COVID-19, infects gastrointestinal epithelial cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors triggering a cascade of events leading to mucosal and systemic inflammation. Symptomatic patients display changes in gut microbiota composition and function which may contribute to intestinal barrier dysfunction and immune activation. Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection and related mucosal inflammation impact on the function of the enteric nervous system and the activation of sensory fibers conveying information to the central nervous system, which, may at least in part, contribute symptom generation such as vomiting and diarrhea described in COVID-19. Liver and pancreas dysfunctions have also been described as non-respiratory complications of COVID-19 and add further emphasis to the common view of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a systemic disease with multiorgan involvement. PURPOSE: The aim of this review was to highlight the current knowledge on the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the crosstalk with the gut microbiota, the fecal-oral route of virus transmission, and the potential interaction of the virus with the enteric nervous system. We also review the current available data on gastrointestinal and liver manifestations, management, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

The Food Poisoning Toxins of Bacillus cereus.

Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous soil bacterium responsible for two types of food-associated gastrointestinal diseases. While the emetic type, a food intoxication, manifests in nausea and vomiting, food infections with enteropathogenic strains cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Causative toxins are the cyclic dodecadepsipeptide cereulide, and the proteinaceous enterotoxins hemolysin BL (Hbl), nonhemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) and cytotoxin K (CytK), respectively. This review covers the current knowledge on distribution and genetic organization of the toxin genes, as well as mechanisms of enterotoxin gene regulation and toxin secretion. In this context, the exceptionally high variability of toxin production between single strains is highlighted. In addition, the mode of action of the pore-forming enterotoxins and their effect on target cells is described in detail. The main focus of this review are the two tripartite enterotoxin complexes Hbl and Nhe, but the latest findings on cereulide and CytK are also presented, as well as methods for toxin detection, and the contribution of further putative virulence factors to the diarrheal disease.