Eradication rate and adherence with high-dose amoxicillin and proton pump inhibitor as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection: Experience from University Hospital in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: In Chile, more than 70% of adults are infected by Helicobacter pylori. Clarithromycin should not be used in any regimen if there is >15% resistance to this antibiotic, being greater than 26% in our population. In this scenario, the effectiveness of triple therapy (proton pump inhibitor [PPI], clarithromycin, amoxicillin) was only 63.8%. AIM: To evaluate the eradication rate and safety of dual therapy (esomeprazole and amoxicillin) in high doses, through a prospective, observational, and descriptive study. METHODS: Patients with a positive urease test obtained in an upper digestive endoscopy were included. Any other previous H. pylori eradication regimen were excluded. All patients were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg three times a day and amoxicillin 750 mg four times a day for 14 days. The eradication rate of the dual therapy was evaluated with the H. pylori stool antigen test (the Pylori-Strip® test used) 6 weeks after completing the eradication treatment and with at least 14 days without PPI, being a negative result, confirmation of the effectiveness of this regimen. RESULTS: Of 122 patients, 106 had a negative H. pylori antigen in stool; The intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis, the eradication rates were 91.8% [95% CI: 87%-97%] and 94% [95% CI: 90%-98%], respectively. Four patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. Smoking and adherence to treatment were associated with eradication rate. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with H. pylori infection, high-dose dual therapy has a high eradication rate and good adherence, raising the possibility that it could be used as first-line therapy in our country. Studies with a larger number of patients should confirm these results.

Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen in a Crohn`s disease patient.

Despite advances in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly with biological therapies and new small molecules, a significant gap still exists in achieving persistent remission from a symptomatic, biomarker, and endoscopic perspective. In this context, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is considered as a therapeutic strategy. This approach has also been suggested for managing ischemic ulcers located at anastomotic sites. In this clinical case, we describe the clinical and endoscopic evolution of a challenging-to-manage Crohn's disease (CD) patient with an ischemic ulcer at the ileo-rectal anastomosis who underwent HBOT.

Personalized therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. / Terapia personalizada en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease being their most common presentations, comprise a spectrum of diverse disease phenotypes, exhibiting variable behaviors ranging from an indolent course to aggressive phenotypes that impact quality of life of these patients. The last two decades have been marked by the development of new medications (biological therapy and novel small molecules) with diverse mechanisms of action, which have revolutionized the management of IBD, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these patients. This landscape of multiple therapeutic options underscores the need to define which medication will benefit each patient the most and at what speed it should be started. The objective of this review is to present personalized approaches for patients with IBD, thus contributing to therapeutic management.

Vancomycin in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: there is a role beyond Clostridioides difficile infection.

The development of new biological agents and small molecules has revolutionized the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, many patients do not respond or gradually lose their response, necessitating the search for other therapeutic strategies (1). In this clinical case, we describe the evolution of a patient with difficult-to-manage Crohn's Disease (CD) who was treated with oral vancomycin.

Safety of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

In recent years, better knowledge of the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has led to a relevant expansion of the therapeutic arsenal for these conditions. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a family of small molecules that block one or more of the intracellular tyrosine kinases, including JAK-1, JAK-2, JAK-3 and TYK-2. Tofacitinib, a non-selective small molecule JAK inhibitor, and upadacitinib and filgotinib, which are selective JAK-1 inhibitors, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis. Compared to biological drugs, JAK inhibitors have a short half-life, rapid onset of action, and no immunogenicity. Both clinical trials and real-world evidence support the use of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of IBD. However, these therapies have been linked with multiple adverse events (AEs) including infection, hypercholesterolemia, venous thromboembolism, major adverse cardiovascular events, and malignancy. While early studies recognized several potential AEs, post-marketing trials have shown that tofacitinib may increase the risk of thromboembolic diseases and major cardiovascular events. The latter are seen in patients aged 50 years or older with cardiovascular risk factors. Hence, the benefits of treatment and risk stratification need to be considered when positioning tofacitinib. Novel JAK inhibitors with a more selective effect on JAK-1 have proven to be effective in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, offering a potentially safer and efficacious therapeutic option to patients, including those with previous non-response to other therapies such as biologics. Nevertheless, long-term effectiveness and safety data are required.

Corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel disease: Are they still a therapeutic option? / Corticoides en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: ¿siguen siendo una opción terapéutica?

Despite the development and incorporation of new therapeutic strategies, such as biologic therapy and small molecules, corticosteroids still play an important role in inducting inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remission. Variables like indicating the right doses at the right time, in adequate intervals, the security of these drugs and the pharmacological alternatives available must be considered by the providers when they are indicated to patients with IBD. Although the use of corticosteroids is considered as a marker of quality of care in patients with IBD, the use of these drugs in the clinical practice of IBD is far from being the correct one. This review article is not intended to be just a classic review of the indications for corticosteroids. Here we explain the scenarios in which, in our opinion, steroids would not be an appropriate option for our patients, as well as the most frequent mistakes we make in our daily practice when using them.

Trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopía en una mujer embarazada con infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile

El diagnóstico de la infección por Clostridioides dfficile (ICD) ha aumentado en el embarazo y periparto. Cambios fisiológicos e inmunológicos normales durante el embarazo pueden incrementar el riesgo de ICD. Mujeres embarazadas con ICD tienen una mayor frecuencia de fracaso al tratamiento y una significativa morbilidad y mortalidad. El trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) se ha convertido en el tratamiento estándar de la ICD recurrente y refractaria. Sin embargo, existen escasos datos sobre sus resultados en mujeres embarazadas. Presentamos el caso de una mujer embarazada que se sometió con éxito a un TMF para el tratamiento de una ICD recurrente.

The diagnosis of Clostridioides dfficile infection (CDI) in pregnant and peripartum women has increased. In this scenario, there are higher rates of treatment failure and a significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has become the gold standard for the treatment of recurrent and refractory CDI however, there are few data on its results in pregnant patients. This case showed that FMT could be a therapeutic strategy in pregnant women with recurrent CDI.

Trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopía en paciente mayor de 65 años con infección recurrente de Clostridioides difficile: aún una estrategia subutilizada / Fecal microbiota transplantation in an older patient with Clostridioides difficile recurrent infection. Report of one case

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major public health problem and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Eighty percent of CDIs occur in adults older than 65 years of age due to a decreased gastrointestinal microbial diversity, immunosenescence and frailty. Thus, the most reported risk factor for recurrent CDI is older age since nearly 60% of cases occur in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly cost-effective alternative to antibiotic treatment for patients with recurrent CDI. We report a 75-year-old male with recurrent CDI, who received a FMT after several unsuccessful antimicrobial treatments. He had a satisfactory evolution after the procedure and remained without diarrhea during the ensuing five months.

Anemia en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: un objetivo subestimado / Anemia in inflammatory bowel disease

Anemia is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there are several causes of anemia in IBD, the two most frequent etiologies are iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. Despite the high prevalence of anemia in IBD and its significant impact on patient's quality of life, this complication is still underdiagnosed and undertreated by providers. Active screening for anemia, structured assessment, comprehensive management, and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed in IBD patients. The cornerstone of anemia management depends on the underlying etiology along with normalization of inflammatory activity. Although, oral iron is effective for the treatment of mild iron deficiency-related anemia, intravenous iron formulations have a good safety profile and can be used as first-line therapy in patients with active IBD, severe anemia and previous intolerance prior to oral iron. After proper treatment of anemia, careful monitoring is necessary to prevent its recurrence. Herein, we discuss the etiology, screening, diagnosis, therapy selection, and follow-up for anemia in IBD.

[Fecal microbiota transplantation in an older patient with Clostridioides difficile recurrent infection. Report of one case]. / Trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopía en paciente mayor de 65 años con infección recurrente de Clostridioides difficile: aún una estrategia subutilizada.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major public health problem and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Eighty percent of CDIs occur in adults older than 65 years of age due to a decreased gastrointestinal microbial diversity, immunosenescence and frailty. Thus, the most reported risk factor for recurrent CDI is older age since nearly 60% of cases occur in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly cost-effective alternative to antibiotic treatment for patients with recurrent CDI. We report a 75-year-old male with recurrent CDI, who received a FMT after several unsuccessful antimicrobial treatments. He had a satisfactory evolution after the procedure and remained without diarrhea during the ensuing five months.

[Anemia in inflammatory bowel disease]. / Anemia en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: un objetivo subestimado.

Anemia is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there are several causes of anemia in IBD, the two most frequent etiologies are iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease. Despite the high prevalence of anemia in IBD and its significant impact on patient's quality of life, this complication is still underdiagnosed and undertreated by providers. Active screening for anemia, structured assessment, comprehensive management, and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed in IBD patients. The cornerstone of anemia management depends on the underlying etiology along with normalization of inflammatory activity. Although, oral iron is effective for the treatment of mild iron deficiency-related anemia, intravenous iron formulations have a good safety profile and can be used as first-line therapy in patients with active IBD, severe anemia and previous intolerance prior to oral iron. After proper treatment of anemia, careful monitoring is necessary to prevent its recurrence. Herein, we discuss the etiology, screening, diagnosis, therapy selection, and follow-up for anemia in IBD.

Anal neoplasia and perianal Crohn's disease: myth or reality?

The association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a low prevalence and is mainly supported by articles that include a series of cases. We describe the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings of a patient with Crohn's disease (CD) who developed SCC while undergoing biological therapy with active disease.