Humoral Immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Healthy Controls.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies may have a lower vaccine response to certain vaccines. The aim of our study was to evaluate humoral immunogenicity of mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines among patients with IBD and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: We performed a prospective study to evaluate humoral immunogenicity among patients with IBD and HCs after completion of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients with IBD and 60 HCs were enrolled. All HCs and 97% of patients with IBD developed antibodies. Antibody concentrations were lower in patients with IBD compared with those in HCs (median 31 vs 118 µg/mL; P < 0.001). Those who received the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 (median 38; interquartile range [IQR] 24-75 vs µg/mL) had higher antibody concentrations compared with those who received the Pfizer-BNT vaccine series (median 22; IQR 11-42 µg/mL; P < 0.001). Patients on immune-modifying therapy (median 26; IQR 13-50 µg/mL) had lower antibody concentrations compared with those who were on no treatment, aminosalicylates, or vedolizumab (median 59; IQR 31-75 µg/mL; P = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Almost all patients with IBD in our study mounted an antibody response. Future studies are needed in evaluating sustained humoral immunity and the impact of booster dosing in patients with IBD.

Clear liquid diet before bowel preparation predicts successful chromoendoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chromoendoscopy (CE) has been shown to generate both a superior diagnostic yield and dysplasia detection rate than conventional white-light endoscopy and requires a high-quality bowel preparation. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the ability to perform CE in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: We performed an observational study of patients with IBD undergoing colorectal cancer surveillance examinations with CE. Same-day colonoscopy surveys were used to collect patient and procedural variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to establish odds ratios of successful completion of CE. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with IBD were enrolled. We found that patients who did not follow a clear liquid diet before colonoscopy had much lower odds of being able to undergo CE (odds ratio, 0.106; 95% confidence interval, 0.013-0.845; P < .034). Further, we found that previously identified risk factors (older age, history of diabetes mellitus, the timing and split dosing of preparation solution, and procedure time (AM or PM), chronic narcotic use, and history of constipation) for inadequate bowel preparation were not associated with the ability to perform CE. CONCLUSIONS: Following a clear liquid diet the entire day before the procedure was highly predictive of the ability to perform CE. However, established risk factors for inadequate bowel preparation did not inhibit the ability to perform CE in our population. Endoscopists performing CE should consider recommending that patients follow a clear liquid diet the entire day before their examination.

Low Yield and High Cost of Gastric and Duodenal Biopsies for Investigation of Symptoms of Abdominal Pain During Routine Esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) referrals for symptoms of abdominal pain are common. Current guidelines for dyspepsia recommend biopsies of gastric mucosa for Helicobacter pylori in all patients referred for EGD. Our study aimed to determine the clinical yield and cost-effectiveness of gastric and duodenal biopsy in EGDs performed for abdominal pain. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-one outpatient EGDs performed at a single academic tertiary care center were studied. For each procedure, endoscopic as well as pathologic findings from the stomach and duodenum were then recorded. Charge of biopsy was calculated using the increased charges for professional fees, forceps, and pathology fees when a biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Gastric biopsies were obtained on 304 EGDs performed with 13 (4.2%) patients diagnosed with H. pylori. In patients with abnormal gastric mucosa on EGD, 11 of 167 (6.5%) were positive for H. pylori compared to 2 of 137 (1.4%) with normal appearing mucosa (p = 0.02). Charge per diagnosis of H. pylori for normal mucosa was calculated to be $43,073. Duodenal biopsies were performed in 263 cases. Celiac disease was diagnosed in 4 of 263 cases (1.5%). Of patients with abnormal duodenal mucosa on EGD, 1 of 36 (2.7%) were positive for celiac disease compared to 3 of 227 (1.3%) with normal mucosa (p = 0.57). Charge per diagnosis of celiac disease for normal mucosa was calculated to be $47,580. CONCLUSION: Routine biopsy during EGD for symptoms of abdominal pain has low yield with high costs. Practice of routine biopsies of normal appearing tissue and the present guidelines should be reconsidered in the investigation of abdominal pain with EGD.

Influence of previous night call and sleep deprivation on screening colonoscopy quality.

OBJECTIVES: There are few studies evaluating the influence of sleep deprivation on endoscopic outcomes. To evaluate the effect of a previous night call on the quality of screening colonoscopies performed the following day. METHODS: Average-risk patients undergoing screening colonoscopies were included. Quality metrics were retrospectively compared between two groups of post-call colonoscopies and colonoscopies performed by the same individuals not on call the night before: those performed by gastroenterologists who were only on call the night prior and those performed by gastroenterologists who performed emergent on-call procedures the night prior. RESULTS: Between 1 July 2010 and 31 March 2012, 447 colonoscopies were performed by gastroenterologists who were on call only the night prior, 126 colonoscopies were performed by gastroenterologists who had completed on-call emergent procedures the night prior, and 8,734 control colonoscopies were completed. There was a lower percent of patients who were screened with adenomas detected in procedures performed by endoscopists who had performed emergent on-call procedures the night prior compared with the controls (30 vs. 39%, respectively; P=0.043). The mean withdrawal time for these colonoscopies was significantly longer than that for the control procedures (15.5 vs. 14.0 min; P=0.025). For the colonoscopies performed by endoscopists who were on call only the night prior, there was no significant difference in the percent of patients screened with adenomas detected compared with controls (42 vs. 39%, respectively; P=0.136). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Despite longer withdrawal times, being on call the night prior and performing an emergent procedure lead to a significant 24% decrease in the adenoma detection rates. (2) It is imperative for screening physicians to be aware of the influence of sleep deprivation on procedural outcomes and to consider altering their practice accordingly.

Higher Cell-Mediated Immune Responses in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Anti-TNF Therapy After COVID-19 Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immunosuppressive therapies may have a blunted response to certain vaccines, including the messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. However, few studies have evaluated the cell-mediated immune response (CMIR), which is critical to host defense after COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response and CMIR after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in patients with IBD. METHODS: This prospective study (HERCULES [HumoRal and CellULar initial and Sustained immunogenicity in patients with IBD] study) evaluated humoral immune response and CMIR after completion of 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in 158 IBD patients and 20 healthy control (HC) subjects. The primary outcome was the CMIR to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in patients with IBD. The secondary outcomes were a comparison of (1) the CMIR in patients with IBD and HC subjects, (2) CMIR and humoral immune response in all participants, and (3) correlation between CMIR and humoral immune response. RESULTS: The majority (89%) of patients with IBD developed a CMIR, which was not different vs HC subjects (94%) (P = .6667). There was no significant difference (P = .5488) in CMIR between immunocompetent (median 255 [interquartile range, 146-958] spike T cells per million peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and immunosuppressed patients (median 377 [interquartile range, 123-1440]). There was no correlation between humoral and cell-mediated immunity after vaccination (P = .5215). In univariable analysis, anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy was associated with a higher CMIRs (P = .02) and confirmed in a multivariable model (P = .02). No other variables were associated with CMIR. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with IBD achieved CMIR to a COVID-19 vaccine. Future studies are needed evaluating sustained CMIR and clinical outcomes.

Antibody and T cell responses to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease do not correlate. Most patients with inflammatory bowel disease mount a T cell response despite being on biologic therapies, those on anti-tumor necrosis factor may have a higher T cell response. Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy has been associated with a lower antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines, but the T cell response is augmented.

Immunogenicity of High Dose Influenza Vaccine for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Anti-TNF Monotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) agents may have lower immune response to the influenza vaccine. We aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the high dose (HD) vs standard dose (SD) influenza vaccine in patients with IBD on anti-TNF monotherapy. METHODS: We performed a randomized clinical trial at a single academic center evaluating the immunogenicity of the HD vs SD influenza vaccine in patients with IBD on anti-TNF monotherapy. Influenza antibody concentration was measured at immunization, at 2 to 4 weeks postimmunization, and at 6 months. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with IBD were recruited into the study, 40 on anti-TNF monotherapy, and 19 on vedolizumab, along with 20 healthy controls (HC). Patients with IBD receiving the HD influenza vaccine had significantly higher H3N2 postimmunization antibodies compared with those who received the SD influenza vaccine (160 [interquartile range 80 to 320] vs 80 [interquartile range 40 to 160]; P = 0.003). The H1N1 postimmunization levels were not significantly higher in the HD influenza vaccine (320 [interquartile range 150 to 320] vs 160 [interquartile range 80 to 320]; P = 0.18). Patients with IBD receiving the HD influenza vaccine and those on vedolizumab who received SD had equivalent antibody concentrations to HC (H1N1 P = 0.85; H3N2 P = 0.23; B/Victoria P = 0.20 and H1N1 P = 0.46; H3N2 P = 0.21; B/Victoria P = 1.00, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD on anti-TNF monotherapy receiving the HD influenza vaccine had significantly higher postimmunization antibody levels compared with SD vaccine. Clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT02461758).

Humoral Immunogenicity of 3 COVID-19 Messenger RNA Vaccine Doses in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Herein, we evaluated the humoral immunogenicity of a third coronavirus disease 2019 messenger RNA vaccine dose in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. All patients displayed a humoral immune response, and median antibody concentrations were higher after the third dose than after completion of the 2-dose series.

Heterochromatin Protein 1 Binding Protein 3 Expression as a Candidate Marker of Intrinsic 5-Fluorouracil Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Despite receiving post-operative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy, approximately 50% of patients with stage IIIC colon cancer experience recurrence. Currently, no molecular signature can predict response to 5-FU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse models of colon cancer have been developed and characterized. Individual tumors in these mice can be longitudinally monitored and assessed to identify differences between those that are responsive and those that are resistant to therapy. Gene expression was analyzed in serial biopsies that were collected before and after treatment with 5-FU. Colon tumors had heterogeneous responses to treatment with 5-FU. Microarray analysis of pre-treatment biopsies revealed that Hp1bp3, a gene encoding heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3, was differentially expressed between sensitive and resistant tumors. CONCLUSION: Using mouse models of human colorectal cancer, Hp1bp3 was identified as a candidate marker of intrinsic 5-FU resistance and may represent a potential biomarker for patient stratification or a target of clinical importance.

Improved Detection of Microsatellite Instability in Early Colorectal Lesions.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs in over 90% of Lynch syndrome cancers and is considered a hallmark of the disease. MSI is an early event in colon tumor development, but screening polyps for MSI remains controversial because of reduced sensitivity compared to more advanced neoplasms. To increase sensitivity, we investigated the use of a novel type of marker consisting of long mononucleotide repeat (LMR) tracts. Adenomas from 160 patients, ranging in age from 29-55 years old, were screened for MSI using the new markers and compared with current marker panels and immunohistochemistry standards. Overall, 15 tumors were scored as MSI-High using the LMRs compared to 9 for the NCI panel and 8 for the MSI Analysis System (Promega). This difference represents at least a 1.7-fold increase in detection of MSI-High lesions over currently available markers. Moreover, the number of MSI-positive markers per sample and the size of allelic changes were significantly greater with the LMRs (p = 0.001), which increased confidence in MSI classification. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the LMR panel for detection of mismatch repair deficient lesions were 100% and 96%, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity and specificity of the MSI Analysis System were 67% and 100%; and for the NCI panel, 75% and 97%. The difference in sensitivity between the LMR panel and the other panels was statistically significant (p<0.001). The increased sensitivity for detection of MSI-High phenotype in early colorectal lesions with the new LMR markers indicates that MSI screening for the early detection of Lynch syndrome might be feasible.

Predictors of recurrent ingestion of gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are commonly encountered; however, little knowledge exists as to the causes of foreign body ingestions and why they occur repeatedly in some patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify and define patients at high risk for recurrent foreign body ingestion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of foreign body ingestion was conducted at a tertiary care medical centre over an 11-year period. Variables analyzed included age, sex, incarceration status, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnosis, success of endoscopy, type of sedation used, method of extraction, complications, presence of gastrointestinal pathology, and incidence of recurrent food impaction or foreign body. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients with a foreign body ingestion were identified. One hundred fourteen (77%) experienced a single episode of ingestion and 45 (23%) experienced multiple ingestions. Of the patients with multiple ingestions, 27 (60%) had recurrent food impactions while 18 (40%) ingested foreign objects. In the recurrent ingestor group, a psychiatric disorder had been diagnosed in 16 patients (35.6%) and there were 13 incarcerated individuals (28.9%). The average number of recurrences was 2.6 per patient (117 total recurrences). Individuals with a psychiatric disorder experienced 3.9 recurrences per patient, while prisoners averaged 4.1 recurrences per patient. The combination of a psychiatric disorder and being incarcerated was associated with the highest recurrence rate (4.33 per patient). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that male sex (OR 2.9; P=0.022), being incarcerated (OR 3.0; P=0.024) and the presence of a psychiatric disorder (OR 2.5; P=0.03) were risk factors for recurrent ingestion. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for recurrent ingestion of foreign bodies were male sex, being incarcerated and the presence of a psychiatric disorder.