Clostridium ventriculi in a cynomolgus monkey with acute gastric dilatation and rupture: A case report.

Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is one of the most prevalent and life-threatening diseases in nonhuman primates worldwide. However, the etiology of this syndrome has not been determined. Recently, sudden death occurred in a 7-year-old female cynomolgus monkey with a history of fecal microbiota transplantation using diarrheic stools. The monkey had undergone surgery previously. On necropsy, gastric dilatation and rupture demonstrated a tetrad arrangement on histopathologic examination. On 16S rRNA sequencing, a high population of Clostridium ventriculi was identified in the duodenum adjacent to stomach but not in the colon. This paper is the first report of Clostridium ventriculi infection in a cynomolgus macaque with acute gastric dilatation and rupture.

Sleeve gastrectomy for idiopathic acute gastric dilatation with transmural necrosis.

Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is usually related to eating disorders, postoperative status and mechanical obstruction of the duodenum. When intragastric pressure is augmented, it can lead to alteration of blood flow and result in transmural necrosis. However, there are very few reports on idiopathic AGD and so here we describe the case of a 26-year-old woman diagnosed with AGD without any apparent cause. Conservative treatment was initially conducted, but because of the persistence of dilatation, presence of gastric ulcer and gastric pneumatosis, a surgical approach was necessary. During surgery, gastric necrosis was observed in the greater curvature. A sleeve gastrectomy was conducted from the angle of His to the antrum. No complications were present during the postoperative course. Oeso-gastro-duodenal barium study showed no signs of gastric emptying and psychiatric evaluation ruled out any eating disorder.

Gastric Dilatation Organoaxial Volvulus in a Dog.

A 9 yr old castrated male mixed-breed dog was presented for acute vomiting. Abdominal radiographs appeared to show a normal positioned stomach with marked gas dilation, which persisted despite frequent suctioning with a nasogastric tube. An abdominal ultrasound showed splenomegaly, malpositioning of the spleen, and the pyloroduodenal junction. A ventral midline celiotomy revealed an organoaxial gastric volvulus, rotating on the gastroesophageal, and pyloroduodenal junctions. The omentum was not overlying the stomach, typically seen in mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus. The body of the stomach was derotated with no evidence of gastric necrosis noted. The spleen was in the right cranial abdomen and returned to its normal anatomic position after derotation of the stomach. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged the next day. To the authors' knowledge, organoaxial gastric volvulus has not been reported in dogs. This is rare in humans but occurs most commonly in children <5 yr of age associated with hernias. The recommended treatment is surgical in majority of cases. As a result of the unusual orientation of the stomach, the diagnosis of gastric dilatation-volvulus was challenging. Organoaxial gastric volvulus demonstrates the need for further imaging and evaluation in cases of persistent gas dilation.

Extensive gastric necrosis secondary to acute gastric dilatation: A case report.

We report a case of sudden death in a patient who developed extensive gastric necrosis secondary to acute gastric dilatation. A 36-year-old man with mental retardation (but without difficulties in activities of daily living), developed an illness after a meal out with friends, necessitating 3 hospital visits. He returned home after receiving drug therapy; however, his condition deteriorated, and he was transferred to our hospital via ambulance. Whole-body computed tomography performed upon admission revealed gastric dilatation. A stomach tube was inserted, and 2000 mL of gastric aspirate was obtained. The patient died approximately 5 h later despite receiving treatment. Autopsy revealed 1000 mL of gastric contents and extensive gastric necrosis. He was diagnosed with extensive gastric necrosis secondary to acute gastric dilatation.

Mouse Gamma Herpesvirus MHV-68 Induces Severe Gastrointestinal (GI) Dilatation in Interferon Gamma Receptor-Deficient Mice (IFNγR-/-) That Is Blocked by Interleukin-10.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Clostridium difficile infection cause gastrointestinal (GI) distension and, in severe cases, toxic megacolon with risk of perforation and death. Herpesviruses have been linked to severe GI dilatation. MHV-68 is a model for human gamma herpesvirus infection inducing GI dilatation in interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice but is benign in wildtype mice. MHV-68 also causes lethal vasculitis and pulmonary hemorrhage in interferon gamma receptor-deficient (IFNγR-/-) mice, but GI dilatation has not been reported. In prior work the Myxomavirus-derived anti-inflammatory serpin, Serp-1, improved survival, reducing vasculitis and pulmonary hemorrhage in MHV-68-infected IFNγR-/- mice with significantly increased IL-10. IL-10 has been investigated as treatment for GI dilatation with variable efficacy. We report here that MHV-68 infection produces severe GI dilatation with inflammation and gut wall degradation in 28% of INFγR-/- mice. Macrophage invasion and smooth muscle degradation were accompanied by decreased concentrations of T helper (Th2), B, monocyte, and dendritic cells. Plasma and spleen IL-10 were significantly reduced in mice with GI dilatation, while interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and INFγ increased. Treatment of gamma herpesvirus-infected mice with exogenous IL-10 prevents severe GI inflammation and dilatation, suggesting benefit for herpesvirus-induced dilatation.

FATAL GASTRIC DILATION IN TWO ADULT BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (MUSTELA NIGRIPES).

Acute gastric dilation resulting in death was identified in two adult black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) housed at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Both individuals were adult males (3 and 5 yr) and previously clinically healthy prior to the event. The etiology of gastric dilation in both cases could not be definitively determined, and necropsy revealed severe cardiovascular compromise secondary to bloat. Limited literature is available regarding a syndrome of this type in adult black-footed ferrets. Differential diagnoses considered included gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), severe gastric distention of unknown origin, and gastric outflow obstruction. Given the severity of this syndrome and the findings in these two cases, acute gastric dilation should be considered in black-footed ferrets presenting with acute abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular compromise.

Suspicion of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with severe gastric dilatation after catheter ablation.

Catheter ablation is a widely used treatment for atrial fibrillation. Gastric hypomotility due to periesophageal vagal plexus injury is a consequence of the extracardiac penetration of ablative energy. Some affected patients develop severe gastric dilatation requiring hospitalization. However, most previous reports have stated the cause of the subject's condition to be "unknown" or described the symptoms using obscure terms, such as "paralytic" or "gastroparesis." For example, one report stated that a few sites of severe gastric dilatation were secondary to "pyloric spasms;" however, no illustrations were provided in the paper. "Superior mesenteric artery syndrome" is a suspected cause of such dilatation.

Abdominal aortic occlusion and vascular compromise secondary to acute gastric dilatation in a patient with bulimia.

Acute gastric dilation is a rare but recognised complication in patients with bulimia and anorexia following binge episodes owing to decreased bowel motility. We present a rare case of acute gastric dilation secondary to bulimia in an otherwise healthy 18-year-old female patient that resulted in compression and complete occlusion of the abdominal aorta, leading to acute mesenteric and bilateral lower limb ischaemia. This resolved immediately following a laparotomy and gastric decompression. Management of these patients is very challenging owing to the lack of a successful precedent. To our knowledge, such a catastrophic complication has only ever been reported once in the literature and the outcome was fatal. Our case is of additional importance as it offers a successful management strategy for these patients.

Gastric dilitation-volvulus in a Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens).

A 10-year-old male red panda presented acutely with symptoms of shock due to acute abdominal distress and respiratory compromise. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed a severely distended stomach for which passage of an orogastric tube for relief was unsuccessful. Intra-operatively, the stomach was found to be distended and torsed around its long axis supporting the diagnosis of Gastric dilitation-volvulus (GDV). The animal arrested and died intra-operatively and was submitted for necropsy with lesions supportive of the diagnosis of GDV. No risk factors for GDV were found to correlate between the panda and those described in domestic dogs. This case suggests that red pandas can be susceptible to this condition in captive settings.

Total gastrectomy performed in emergency conditions for gastric necrosis due to acute gastric dilatation.

Acute massive gastric dilatation is a rare event, with a pathogenesis still debated. Acute massive gastric dilatation invariably leads to necrosis and perforation. We present the case of a 50 year-old woman, admitted in emergency conditions with circulatory collapse and abdominal distension with the onset 12 hours prior to presentation. An emergency laparotomy was performed revealing a stomach occupying the entire abdominal cavity with necrosis and anterior pyloric perforation. The operation consisted in total gastrectomy with stapled Roux-en-Y anastomosis. The postoperative evolution was simple, without complications. Acute massive gastric dilatation is a severe, lethal condition with multiple etiologic factors like anorexia nervosa, trauma, diabetes, postoperative period in abdominal surgery, electrolyte disturbances. In most cases emergency surgical treatment is necessary, dictated by gastric necrosis or perforation. Conservative treatment may represent an option if it is early instituted.

Stomach gas analyses in canine acute gastric dilatation with volvulus.

BACKGROUND: The origin of the gas in the stomachs of dogs with acute gastric dilatation or gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV) often is disputed. HYPOTHESIS: We tested the hypothesis that gaseous distention resulted from aerophagia. ANIMALS: Ten cases of GDV that were submitted to an emergency clinic were sampled intraoperatively. METHODS: With the abdomen open, the needle of a vacutainer blood collection set was inserted into the distended stomach, and gas was collected into 10 mL glass vacutainer vials with rubber stoppers. These were stored at room temperature for 1-7 days and then analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: CO2 composition ranged from 13 to 20%. One dog had an H2 concentration of 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Because the CO2 content of atmospheric air is less than 1%, these findings suggest that the gaseous gastric distention in GDV is not the result of aerophagia.

Evaluation of plasma lactate concentration and base excess at the time of hospital admission as predictors of gastric necrosis and outcome and correlation between those variables in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus: 78 cases (2004-2009).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between plasma lactate concentration and base excess at the time of hospital admission and evaluate each variable as a predictor of gastric necrosis or outcome in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 78 dogs. PROCEDURES: For each dog, various data, including plasma lactate concentration and base excess at the time of hospital admission, surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome, were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Gastric necrosis was identified in 12 dogs at the time of surgery and in 4 dogs at necropsy. Sixty-five (83%) dogs survived to hospital discharge, whereas 13 (17%) dogs died or were euthanized. Of the 65 survivors and 8 nonsurvivors that underwent surgery, gastric necrosis was detected in 8 and 4 dogs, respectively. Via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an initial plasma lactate concentration cutoff of 7.4 mmol/L was 82% accurate for predicting gastric necrosis (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 88%) and 88% accurate for predicting outcome (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 89%). Among all dogs, the correlation between initial plasma lactate concentration and base excess was significant, although base excess was a poor discriminator for predicting gastric necrosis or outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.571 and 0.565, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs with GDV, plasma lactate concentration at the time of hospital admission was a good predictor of gastric necrosis and outcome. However, despite the correlation between initial base excess and plasma lactate concentration, base excess should not be used for prediction of gastric necrosis or outcome in those patients.

Serum pepsinogen-A, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and C-reactive protein as prognostic markers in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Pepsinogens are proenzymes secreted by gastric chief cells. In humans, their serum concentrations reflect gastric mucosal morphological and functional status. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate serum canine pepsinogen-A (cPG-A), C-reactive protein (CRP), and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). ANIMALS: Sixty-six dogs presented with GDV and 79 healthy controls. METHODS: Blood was collected prospectively, and records retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Median cPG-A concentration was higher in GDV dogs (median, 397 µg/L; range, 37-5,410) compared to controls (median, cPG-A 304 µg/L; range, 18-848; P = .07). Mortality rate in GDV dogs was 22.7%. In nonsurvivors of GDV, median cPG-A was higher compared to survivors (median, 746 µg/L; range, 128-5,409 versus median, 346; range, 36-1,575, respectively; P = .003). The proportion of dogs with increased cPG-A increased with gastric wall damage score (P = .007). An ROC analysis of cPG-A as a predictor of death showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75, higher than lactate (AUC 0.66), and corresponded to a sensitivity and specificity of 53% and 88%, respectively. CRP was increased in 48 dogs (75%), cPLI was >200 µg/L in 26 dogs (39.4%) and >400 µg/L in 12 dogs (18.2%) but both analytes had no association with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical cPG-A concentration was positively and significantly associated with gastric wall lesion severity, but, based on ROC analysis, it was only a moderate outcome predictor. CRP and cPLI were commonly increased in dogs with GDV.

Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri alleviates the response to gastric distension in rats.

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria have been reported to alleviate symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, they have not been tested for use in functional gastric disease. We therefore investigated if strains previously shown to protect from response to colorectal distension (CRD) in rats also modulate response to gastric distension (GD). Healthy, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with viable, heat-killed, gamma-irradiated Lactobacillus reuteri or viable Lactobacillus plantarum wild type (WT), L. plantarum Dlt¯mutant, conditioned medium or medium control (9 d), and subjected to GD under anesthesia using an i.g. Teflon catheter. Effects were measured by heart rate (HR) changes during noxious distension (60 mm Hg) compared to baseline HR values. We also investigated the localization of viable, green fluorescent protein-transfected bacteria in the stomach mucosa. Viable L. reuteri decreased the bradycardia induced by noxious GD compared to placebo controls (P < 0.001). Heat-killed or gamma-irradiated L. reuteri and conditioned medium did not have a protective effect in GD. Viable L. plantarum WT and Dlt¯mutant, previously shown to be effective antinociceptive agents in CRD, showed no protective effect in GD. All viable bacteria were associated with the pars glandularis of the rat stomach. Thus, we conclude that the antinociceptive mechanisms of action of probiotic bacteria differ between the stomach and the colon. Symptom alleviation cannot be attributed to the localization of the bacteria in the stomach. Information derived from effects of CRD cannot be extrapolated to effects in the stomach, which are likely to be strain and organ specific.