Frequency of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients Requiring GI Endoscopy in Seven Units in Three Antioquia Subregions

Aim: To determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori and sociodemographic factors, life habits, and personal and family history of gastroduodenal diseases in patients who required and were taken to GI endoscopy (symptomatic or by screening) in seven endoscopy units in three Antioquia subregions. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2018 included 272 participants. Sociodemographic factors, life habits, and personal and family history were related to H. pylori infection. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed to establish the association between the variables, and multivariate analysis (binomial regression) was used to adjust the prevalence ratios of the associated factors. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of H. pylori infection was 55.9%, with differences by subregion (Valle de Aburrá metropolitan area: 54.3%, Oriente: 64%, and Urabá: 79.2%). Factors associated with H. pylori infection were male sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.52), age 18-55 years (APR = 1.62; CI 95% = 1.22-2.16), absence of drinking water (APR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.15-1.72) and educational level below university (APR = 1.73; 95% CI% = 1.26-2.38). Conclusion: The frequency of H. pylori was higher than in other recent studies because different diagnostic tests were used for its detection, and differences were found in the frequency of infection by region, which is explained by the heterogeneity in the populations analyzed. This study suggests the need to improve the population's living conditions to reduce H. pylori and direct measures of primary prevention of the infection, especially in family groups, men, individuals between 18 and 55 years old without drinking water, and with an educational level lower than university.

Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de Helicobacter pylori y la presencia de factores sociodemográficos, hábitos de vida y antecedentes personales y familiares de enfermedades gastroduodenales en pacientes que requirieron y fueron llevados a endoscopia digestiva (sintomáticos o por tamización) en siete unidades de endoscopia de tres subregiones de Antioquia. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal realizado entre 2016 y 2018 que incluyó a 272 participantes. Los factores sociodemográficos, hábitos de vida, antecedentes personales y familiares se relacionaron con la infección por H. pylori. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y análisis bivariado para establecer la asociación entre las variables y el análisis multivariado (regresión binomial) para ajustar las razones de prevalencia de los factores asociados. Un valor p ≤ 0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: la frecuencia de infección por H. pylori fue de 55,9%, con diferencias por subregión (área metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá: 54,3%, oriente: 64% y Urabá: 79,2%). Los factores asociados a la infección por H. pylori fueron sexo masculino (razón de prevalencia ajustada [RPA] = 1,26; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95% = 1,04-1,52), edad de 18-55 años (RPA = 1,62; IC 95% = 1,22-2,16), ausencia de agua potable (RPA = 1,40; IC 95%: 1,15-1,72) y nivel educativo inferior al universitario (RPA = 1,73; IC 95% = 1,26-2,38). Conclusión: la frecuencia de H. pylori fue mayor que en otros estudios recientes porque se emplearon diferentes pruebas diagnósticas para su detección y se demostraron diferencias en la frecuencia de la infección por región, lo cual se explica por la heterogeneidad en las poblaciones analizadas. Este estudio sugiere la necesidad de mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población para reducir la infección por H. pylori y dirigir medidas de prevención primaria de la infección especialmente en los grupos familiares, en hombres, individuos entre 18 y 55 años, sin agua potable y con un nivel educativo inferior al universitario.

The OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement for gastritis and preneoplastic lesion screening: a cross-sectional study.

Stomach cancer (SC) incidence and mortality are relevant public health issues worldwide. In Colombia, screening for preneoplastic lesions (PNL) and the presence of H. pylori is not routinely performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement in gastritis and preneoplastic lesions in patients with gastroduodenal symptoms from Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 272 patients with gastroduodenal symptoms. Gastric biopsies were taken following the Updated Sydney System with the OLGA-OLGIM classification, and the results were evaluated by two pathologists. Chronic gastritis and PNL were reported in 76% and 24% of the patients, respectively. Furthermore, 25% of the patients with PNL displayed gastric atrophy (GA) and 75% intestinal metaplasia (IM). Agreement in the histopathological reading for IM was good, whereas for OLGA was variable, and for the H. pylori quantity was poor. OLGA-OLGIM stages 0-II were the most frequent (96%), while stage III (4%) and SC (4%) were the least frequent. Age and coffee consumption were associated with a higher prevalence of PNL. This work determined that 4% of the population is at high risk of developing SC and would benefit from follow-up studies. Reinforcement of training programs to improve the agreement in histopathology readings is required.

Lactococcus garvieae, an unusual pathogen in infective endocarditis: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Lactococcus garvieae is an unusual cause of infective endocarditis (IE). No current diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are available to treat IE caused by these organisms. Based on a case report, we provide a review of the literature of IE caused by L. garvieae and highlight diagnostic and treatment challenges of these infections and implications for management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old Asian male with mitral prosthetic valve presented to the hospital with intracranial haemorrhage, which was successfully treated. Three weeks later, he complained of generalized malaise. Further work up revealed blood cultures positive for Gram-positive cocci identified as L. garvieae by MALDI-TOF. An echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of IE. Susceptibility testing showed resistance only to clindamycin. Vancomycin plus gentamicin were started as empirical therapy and, subsequently, the combination of ceftriaxone plus gentamicin was used after susceptibility studies were available. After two weeks of combination therapy, ceftriaxone was continued as monotherapy for six additional weeks with good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five cases of IE by Lactococcus garvieae have been reported in the literature. Compared to other Gram-positive cocci, L. garvieae affects more frequently patients with prosthetic valves. IE presents in a subacute manner and the case fatality rate can be as high as 16%, comparable to that of streptococcal IE (15.7%). Reliable methods for identification of L. garvieae include MALDI-TOF, 16S RNA PCR, API 32 strep kit and BD Automated Phoenix System. Recommended antimicrobials for L. garvieae IE are ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone or vancomycin in monotherapy or in combination with gentamicin.

A 19-year old man with IgA vasculitis after vaccination.

A 19-year-old patient who mistakenly received two doses of influenza vaccine 10 days before presentation, was admitted with malaise, weakness, and a purpuric non-blanching rash most prominent on the ankles followed by abdominal pain and hematochezia 72h later. The diagnosis of influenza vaccine-related Henoch-Schonlein vasculitis was made. This complication, although rare, is the most common vasculitis related to immunization.

A 19-year old man with IgA vasculitis after vaccination

ABSTRACT A 19-year-old patient who mistakenly received two doses of influenza vaccine 10 days before presentation, was admitted with malaise, weakness, and a purpuric non-blanching rash most prominent on the ankles followed by abdominal pain and hematochezia 72 h later. The diagnosis of influenza vaccine-related Henoch-Schonlein vasculitis was made. This complication, although rare, is the most common vasculitis related to immunization.