Long-term albumin administration in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ascites is a common complication of cirrhosis, and it is associated with increased mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of long-term albumin administration in decreasing mortality and other complications of patients with cirrhosis and ascites. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE and Embase databases. Randomized controlled trials evaluating long-term albumin administration in patients with cirrhosis and ascites were considered eligible, as long as at least one of the following outcomes was evaluated: mortality, recurrence of ascites/need for paracentesis, refractory ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, or adverse events. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, through the Mantel-Haenszel method. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO platform (CRD42019130078). RESULTS: The literature search yielded 1517 references. Five randomized controlled trials fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in this meta-analysis, involving 716 individuals. Patients receiving long-term albumin had significantly lower risk of recurrence of ascites/need for paracentesis when compared with controls (risk ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.48-0.67, P < 0.00001). There was no evidence of significant difference between the long-term albumin and control groups regarding mortality, refractory ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term albumin administration in patients with cirrhosis and ascites decreases recurrence of ascites/need for paracentesis. At this point, there is no evidence of significant benefits of long-term albumin administration regarding mortality or other complications of cirrhosis.

Albumin for cirrhotic patients with extraperitoneal infections: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Bacterial infections are among the main causes of death in patients with cirrhosis. While there are unquestionable benefits of using albumin in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, the benefits of albumin are controversial for those with extraperitoneal infections. The aim was to compare the use of albumin associated to antibiotics and antibiotics alone in cirrhotic patients with extraperitoneal infections. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE and Embase databases. Randomized controlled trials comparing albumin associated to antibiotics and antibiotics alone in cirrhotic patients with extraperitoneal infections were considered eligible, as long as at least one of the following outcomes was evaluated: mortality and renal dysfunction. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model, through the Mantel-Haenszel method. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO platform (CRD42018107191). RESULTS: The literature search yielded 812 references. Three randomized controlled trials fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. There was no evidence of significant difference between the groups regarding mortality in 30 days (risk ratio [RR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-2.84, P = 0.09, I2 = 0%) or in 90 days (RR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.89-1.83, P = 0.19, I2 = 0%). Regarding renal dysfunction, there was also no evidence of significant difference between the groups (RR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.25-1.19, P = 0.13, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of significant benefits of using albumin for cirrhotic patients with extraperitoneal infections regarding mortality or renal dysfunction.

IMPACT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CHANGES ON SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IN THREE DIFFERENT PERIODS OVER 17 YEARS.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients, and changes in the microbiological characteristics reported in the last years are impacting the choice of antibiotic used for treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and bacterial resistance of the germs causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis over three different periods over 17 years. METHODS: All cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and positive culture of ascites fluid were retrospectively studied in a reference Hospital in Southern Brazil. Three periods were ramdomly evaluated: 1997-1998, 2002-2003 and 2014-2015. The most frequent infecting organisms and the sensitivity in vitro to antibiotics were registered. RESULTS: In the first period (1997-1998) there were 33 cases, the most common were: E. coli in 13 (36.11%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative in 6 (16.66%), K. pneumoniae in 5 (13.88%), S. aureus in 4 (11.11%) and S. faecalis in 3 (8.33%). In the second period (2002-2003), there were 43 cases, the most frequent were: Staphylococus coagulase-negative in 16 (35.55%), S. aureus in 8 (17.77%), E. coli in 7 (15.55%) and K. pneumoniae in 3 (6.66%). In the third period (2014-2015) there were 58 cases (seven with two bacteria), the most frequent were: E. coli in 15 (23.1%), S. viridans in 12 (18.5%), K. pneumoniae in 10 (15.4%) and E. faecium 5 (7.7%). No one was using antibiotic prophylaxis. Considering all staphylococci, the prevalence increased to rates of the order of 50% in the second period, with a reduction in the third period evaluated. Likewise, the prevalence of resistant E. coli increased, reaching 14%. CONCLUSION: There was a modification of the bacterial population causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, with high frequency of gram-positive organisms, as well as an increase in the resistance to the traditionally recommended antibiotics. This study suggests a probable imminent inclusion of a drug against gram-positive organisms in the empiric treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Impacto das mudanças da microbiologia na peritonite bacteriana espontânea em três diferentes períodos ao longo de 17 anos / Impact of microbiological changes on spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in three different periods over 17 years

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients, and changes in the microbiological characteristics reported in the last years are impacting the choice of antibiotic used for treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and bacterial resistance of the germs causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis over three different periods over 17 years. METHODS: All cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and positive culture of ascites fluid were retrospectively studied in a reference Hospital in Southern Brazil. Three periods were ramdomly evaluated: 1997-1998, 2002-2003 and 2014-2015. The most frequent infecting organisms and the sensitivity in vitro to antibiotics were registered. RESULTS: In the first period (1997-1998) there were 33 cases, the most common were: E. coli in 13 (36.11%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative in 6 (16.66%), K. pneumoniae in 5 (13.88%), S. aureus in 4 (11.11%) and S. faecalis in 3 (8.33%). In the second period (2002-2003), there were 43 cases, the most frequent were: Staphylococus coagulase-negative in 16 (35.55%), S. aureus in 8 (17.77%), E. coli in 7 (15.55%) and K. pneumoniae in 3 (6.66%). In the third period (2014-2015) there were 58 cases (seven with two bacteria), the most frequent were: E. coli in 15 (23.1%), S. viridans in 12 (18.5%), K. pneumoniae in 10 (15.4%) and E. faecium 5 (7.7%). No one was using antibiotic prophylaxis. Considering all staphylococci, the prevalence increased to rates of the order of 50% in the second period, with a reduction in the third period evaluated. Likewise, the prevalence of resistant E. coli increased, reaching 14%. CONCLUSION: There was a modification of the bacterial population causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, with high frequency of gram-positive organisms, as well as an increase in the resistance to the traditionally recommended antibiotics. This study suggests a probable imminent inclusion of a drug against gram-positive organisms in the empiric treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A peritonite bacteriana espontânea é uma complicação séria em pacientes cirróticos e as alterações nas características microbiológicas relatadas nos últimos anos podem afetar a escolha do antibiótico utilizado no tratamento. OBJETIVO: Os objetivos do presente estudo são avaliar as mudanças na epidemiologia e perfil de resistência bacteriana dos germes causadores de peritonite bacteriana espontânea em três períodos diferentes ao longo de 17 anos. MÉTODOS: Todos os pacientes cirróticos com peritonite bacteriana espontânea e cultura positiva de fluido ascítico foram estudados retrospectivamente em um hospital de referência no Sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados três diferentes períodos selecionados de forma randômica: 1997-1998, 2002-2003 e 2014-2015. Os organismos infecciosos mais frequentes e a sensibilidade in vitro a antibióticos foram registados. RESULTADOS: No primeiro período (1997-1998) houve 33 casos; os mais comuns foram: E. coli em 13 (36,1%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo em 6 (16,7%), K. pneumoniae em 5 (13,9%), S. aureus em 4 (11,1%) e S. faecalis em 3 (8,3%). No segundo período (2002-2003), houve 43 casos, os mais frequentes foram: Staphylococus coagulase-negativo em 16 (35,5%), S. aureus em 8 (17,8%), E. coli em 7 (15,5%) e K. pneumoniae em 3 (6,7%). No terceiro período (2014-2015), houve 58 casos (sete com duas bactérias), os mais frequentes foram: E. coli em 15 (23,1%), S. viridans em 12 (18,5%), K. pneumoniae em 10 (15,4%) e E. faecium 5 (7,7%). Nenhum paciente estava usando profilaxia antibiótica. Quando considerados todos os estafilococos, a prevalência aumentou para taxas da ordem de 50% no segundo período, apresentando redução no terceiro período avaliado. Do mesmo modo, a prevalência de E coli resistente aumentou, chegando a 14%. CONCLUSÃO: Houve modificação da população bacteriana causadora de peritonite bacteriana espontânea, com alta frequência de organismos gram-positivos, bem como aumento da resistência aos antibióticos tradicionalmente recomendados. Este estudo sugere uma provável inclusão iminente de um medicamento contra organismos gram-positivos no tratamento empírico da peritonite bacteriana espontânea.

Diverticulite do intestino delgado, uma causa incomum deabdome agudo inflamatório / Diverticulitis of the small bowel, an unusual cause of inflamatory acute abdomen

Objetivos: Descrever a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico diferencial e o tratamento de um caso de diverticulite do intestino delgado.Descrição do caso: Um homem de 58 anos de idade apresentou quadro clínico de dor e distensão abdominal, com exames de imagem demonstrando espessamento de alça de intestino delgado. Foi realizado exame videolaparoscópico do abdome e diagnosticada diverticulite do intestino delgado, a qual recebeu tratamento cirúrgico. O paciente teve boa evolução no pós operatório.Conclusões: A localização da doença diverticular no intestino delgado é pouco comum, e sua apresentação com complicações como perfuração, obstrução e hemorragia a tornam de grande importância clínica, pela dificuldade de se estabelecer o diagnóstico diferencial com outras moléstias abdominais.

Aims: To describe the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and treatment of a case of diverticulitis of the small intestine.Case description: A man of fifty-eight years of age presented a clinical picture of abdominal pain and distension, with imaging demonstrating thickened loop of small intestine. Direct laparoscopic examination of the abdomen diagnoseddiverticulitis of the small intestine, which received surgical treatment. The patient progressed well postoperatively.Conclusion: Small bowel is an uncommon site of diverticular disease, and its great clinical importance lies in its presentation with problems such as perforation, obstruction and bleeding, which makes it difficult to establish a differential diagnosis with other abdominal diseases.

Diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento do carcinoma hepatocelular variante fibrolamelar / Diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma variant fibrolamellar

Objetivos: descrever um caso de carcinoma hepatocelular variante fibrolamelar, uma patologia pouco comum e com tratamento de escolha ainda controverso. Descrição do caso: aqui relatamos o caso de um paciente masculino de 45 anos, com diagnóstico de carcinoma hepatocelular variante fibrolamelar que foi submetido à hepatectomia parcial com ressecção tumoral, e encontra-se momentaneamente livre de doença após o seguimento de um ano. Conclusão: a variante fibrolamelar do carcinoma hepatocelular acomete geralmente em pacientes jovens, com fígado não-cirrótico, apresentando crescimento tumoral indolente e com melhores taxas de cura em comparação à forma clássica do carcinoma hepatocelular.

Aim: to describe a case of hepatocellular carcinoma fibrolamellar variant, an unusual pathology and treatment of choice remains controversial. Case description: here we report the case of a male patient of 45 years diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma variant fibrolamellar who underwent hepatectomy with tumor resection and is momentarily free of disease after one year follow up. Conclusion: fibrolamellar variant of hepatocellular carcinoma usually affects young patients with non-cirrhotic liver and has indolent tumor growth and better cure rates in comparison to the classic form of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Divertículo gigante do cólon: uma doença rara com localização atípica / Giant colonic diverticulum, a rare disease with atypical localization

O divertículo gigante do cólon é uma rara patologia com menos de 150 casos descritos na literatura inglesa, sendo a primeira referência feita pelos franceses Bonvin e Bonte em 1946. Em 90% dos casos, esta patologia localiza-se no cólon sigmoide e a sua apresentação pode variar desde a forma assintomática até o abdômen agudo. O caso descrito ocorreu em um paciente masculino, com 55 anos, e apresentou-se insidiosamente, com quadro clínico infeccioso e diagnóstico realizado por ressonância nuclear magnética e enema opaco. A localização do divertículo é atípica no cólon transverso, e o tratamento realizado foi cirúrgico com diverticulectomia, apresentando pós-operatório sem complicações.

Giant colonic diverticulum is a rare disease with fewer than 150 cases reported in English literature, the first reference made by the French Bonvin and Bonte in 1946. In 90% of cases the pathology is located in the sigmoid colon and the presentation of this disease can vary from asymptomatic to the acute abdomen. The case described occurred in a male patient aged 55 years and presented insidiously with clinical infection and diagnosis by MRI and barium enema. The location of divertículo is atypical in the transverse colon, and the patient was treated with surgical diverticulectomy, with no postoperative complications.