Alerta de atraso no diagnóstico de colite microscópica em idosos. Uma série de casos / Warning to delay in diagnosing microscopic colitis in older adults. a series of cases

ABSTRACT Background: Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing non-bloody diarrhea, and several cases are undiagnosed as a hidden cause of chronic diarrhea. Objective: We aimed to report the symptoms, delay diagnosis and the treatment of MC in a case series. Methods: All patients were treated at a Gastroenterology reference office from May 2022 to June 2023. Personal history including preexisting disorders, use of medications and smoking habits were collected. The delay between the onset of symptoms and the correct diagnosis was informed. All patients consented to use budesonide MMX (Corament®) off label. Results: During the study period, six Caucasoid patients were diagnosed with MC, five females and one male, between the ages of 65 and 74. All patients had comorbities and were taking multiple prescription drugs. Laboratory findings showed negative serology for celiac disease for all patients, normal levels of albumin and vitamin B12. The delay between the symptoms and the MC diagnosis varied from 2 months to 6 years. All patients had a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. All patients were in complete clinical remission during the treatment and referred no side effects of the drug. Conclusion: Older females using high-risk medications are suggestive of MC. Preventing delay in the diagnosis of MC is crucial to improvement in patients´ quality of life. Budesonide MMX appears to be effective, safe and well-tolerated.

RESUMO Contexto: A colite microscópica (CM) é uma doença inflamatória intestinal crônica que causa diarreia não sanguinolenta, e vários casos não são diagnosticados como uma causa oculta de diarreia crônica. Objetivo: Esse estudo visou relatar os sintomas, qual o atraso diagnóstico e o tratamento da CM em uma série de casos. Métodos: Todos os pacientes foram atendidos em um consultório de referência em Gastroenterologia no período de maio de 2022 a junho de 2023. Foram coletados antecedentes pessoais, incluindo distúrbios preexistentes, uso de medicamentos e tabagismo. Foi buscado o período entre o início dos sintomas e o diagnóstico correto. Todos os pacientes consentiram em usar budesonida MMX (Corament®) off label. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo, seis pacientes caucasóides foram diagnosticados com CM, cinco mulheres e um homem, com idades entre 65 e 74 anos. Todos os pacientes apresentavam comorbidades e faziam uso de vários medicamentos prescritos. Os achados laboratoriais mostraram sorologia negativa para doença celíaca em todos os pacientes, níveis normais de albumina e vitamina B12. O atraso entre os sintomas e o diagnóstico de CM variou de 2 meses a 6 anos. Todos os pacientes tinham diagnóstico prévio de síndrome do intestino irritável. Todos os pacientes apresentaram remissão clínica completa durante o tratamento e não referiram efeitos colaterais da droga. Conclusão: As mulheres mais velhas que usam medicamentos de alto risco são sugestivas de CM. Evitar o atraso no diagnóstico de CM é fundamental para melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. A budesonida MMX foi eficaz, segura e bem tolerada.

Analysis of the etiology and clinical features of prolonged and chronic diarrhea in children / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To investigate the etiology, incidence and clinical characteristics of pediatric prolonged and chronic diarrhea.Methods:The clinical data of children with prolonged and chronic diarrhea were collected and analyzed, which were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2017 to June 2020.Results:A total of 190 children with prolonged and chronic diarrhea were collected, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.64∶1(118/72) and a median age of 11.2(5.0, 48.0)months.Among them, 74.3%(141/190) were infants aged 0-3 years, and 54.3%(103/190) were infants aged 0-1 years.The overall cure and improvement rate was 83.7%(159/190). Gastrointestinal concomitant symptoms were dominated by abdominal pain, and vomiting, bloating, and extraintestinal concomitant symptoms were mainly fever, weight loss, and growth and development disorders.Common comorbidities included malnutrition (46.3%), anemia (35.3%), and electrolyte abnormalities (20.5%). The lesion detection rate of electronic gastrointestinal endoscopy and capsule endoscopy reached 93.1%(122/131). The detection rate of genetic testing was 60.0%(9/15). In this group of studies, 169 patients had a clear cause, and the confirmed diagnosis rate was 88.9%.The main causes of childhood prolonged and chronic diarrhea were food allergy(36.8%), inflammatory bowel disease(12.6%), and irritable bowel syndrome(9.5%), but 11.1% of the children did not identify the cause after comprehensive examination.Conclusion:Children with prolonged and chronic diarrhea are mainly infants and young children, especially infants, with diverse etiology, mainly non-infectious factors, food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease are important causes.Malnutrition, anemia and other complications are easy to occur.Endoscopy is helpful in diagnosing and differentiating the cause, if necessary, genetic testing could help to determine the cause.

Síndrome de Good, una causa infrecuente de diarrea crónica / Good Syndrome, a rare cause of chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is a frequent cause of consultation in daily clinical practice. There are multiple diagnostic algorithms that allow a staggered approach to the most frequent pathologies, leaving out some lesser-known ones. This article reports the case of a 66-year-old female patient with a history of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and resected AB thymoma and a history of chronic diarrhea of 8 weeks of evolution. The etiological study ruled out infectious causes, celiac disease and negative viral serology. Due to a history of thymoma, immunoglobulin count was performed, showing severe pan-hypogammaglobulinemia. Good's Syndrome is the combination of thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia, where patients may present with diarrhea secondary to immunodeficiency. Hypogammaglobulinemia associated with the presence of a thymoma is a rare cause but widely described in the literature as Good's Syndrome. Therefore, it seems relevant to describe a case, its approach and subsequent management.

La diarrea crónica constituye una causa frecuente de consulta en la práctica clínica diaria. Existen múltiples algoritmos diagnósticos que permiten realizar un abordaje escalonado de las patologías más frecuentes y permiten descartar algunas menos conocidas. En el presente artículo se reporta el caso de una paciente de género femenino de 66 años, antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, dislipidemia y timoma AB resecado con historia de diarrea crónica de 8 semanas de evolución. Dentro del estudio etiológico se descartan las causas infecciosas, enfermedad celíaca y serologías virales negativas. Por antecedente de timoma, se realizó recuento de inmunoglobulinas, evidenciando una severa pan-hipogammaglobulinemia. El Síndrome de Good es la combinación de timoma e hipogammaglobulinemia, donde los pacientes podrían presentar diarreas secundarias a inmunodeficiencia. La hipogammaglobulinemia asociada a la presencia de un timoma es una causa poco frecuente pero ampliamente descrita en la literatura como Síndrome de Good. Por lo antes señalado, nos parece relevante describir un caso, su abordaje y manejo posterior.

McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome secondary to rectal adenocarcinoma

Introduction: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare condition that arises from a hypersecretory state secondary to large colorectal tumors, mainly villous adenomas, leading to an electrolytic disorder associated with chronic diarrhea that usually persists for years. It is a relatively unknown disease that can lead to severe complications such as acute kidney injury, severe hyponatremia, and hypokalemia. In fact, it causes death in most untreated cases. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most successful treatment, and symptoms tend to disappear after proper management. Case Report: A 62-year-old man with a 2-year history of mucoid diarrhea preceded by abdominal pain presented with acute kidney injury, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia. A digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy were performed, and revealed a large laterally-spreading tumor in the rectum. Further investigation showed a rectal tubulovillous adenoma with secondary McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome. An anterior resection of the rectum with a colonic J-pouch and a diverting ileostomy were performed, and the patient improved with the resolution of the renal failure and electrolyte disturbances. The histopathological analysis revealed an invasive rectal adenocarcinoma. Discussion: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a condition with a low incidence that needs early intervention and proper diagnosis. It is of extreme importance that this disease is included in the differential diagnoses for chronic diarrhea associated with an electrolytic disorder. (AU)

Enterocolopatía sprue-like asociada a la toma de olmesartán / Olmesartan-induced sprue-like enteropathy

Resumen La diarrea crónica es una patología frecuente con un amplio diagnóstico diferencial. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con diarrea crónica secundaria a enterocolopatía por la toma prolongada de olmesartán. Se trata de una patología infradiagnosticada por desconocimiento de la entidad, pero que debe considerarse en base a la frecuencia de uso del grupo farmacológico. En nuestro caso, la buena evolución clínica tras la retirada del fármaco nos muestra la necesidad de considerarlo como causa directa del cuadro clínico. Un adecuado enfoque terapéutico en estos pacientes nos permitirá evitar pruebas complementarias, costos innecesarios y se traducirá en una mejora diagnóstica y del pronóstico de estos pacientes. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2203).

Abstract Chronic diarrhea is a common pathology with a broad differential diagnosis. We present the case of a patient with chronic diarrhea secondary to enteropathy due to prolonged consumption of olmesartan. This is an underdiagnosed pathology due to lack of knowledge regarding this entity, but it should be considered, given the frequency with which this pharmacological group is used. In our case, the favorable clinical progression after withdrawing the medication indicates the need to consider it as the direct cause of the clinical picture. An appropriate therapeutic approach to these patients will allow us to avoid complementary tests and unnecessary costs, and will translate into a better diagnosis and prognosis in these patients. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2203).

Colitis ulcerosa en adolescente / An Adolescent with Ulcerative Colitis

Introducción: La colitis ulcerosa es una enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal de etiología multifactorial, que afecta principalmente al colon y al recto. Sus síntomas cardinales son diarrea crónica, rectorragia y dolor abdominal en cuadros severos. Su curso se caracteriza por periodos de remisión y de actividad llamados brotes, aunque en una menor proporción puede mostrar una actividad continua. Cuando afecta el recto, el colon izquierdo o más zonas se denomina pancolitis. La colonoscopia con biopsias múltiples es imprescindible para confirmar el diagnóstico y valorar la extensión de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Remarcar y promover el cuadro clínico que permita la sospecha diagnóstica de la colitis ulcerosa en el primer nivel de atención. Caso clínico: Paciente de 19 años de edad con antecedentes de diarrea crónica sanguinolenta, refractaria a varios tratamientos, que remitió por sí misma y que posteriormente recidiva con mayor severidad, lo que hace sospechar de una etiología atípica: colitis ulcerosa(AU)

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of multifactorial etiology that affects the colon and rectum. Its cardinal symptoms are diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain(in severe cases). In its course alternate periods of remission and activity (flares), although in a minority it has continuous activity. The extension may affect the rectum, the left colon or even more zones (pancolitis). Colonoscopy with multiples biopsies is essential to confirm diagnosis and evaluate the extension of the disease. Objective: To publicize the clinical picture that allows the diagnostic suspicion of ulcerative colitis at the first level of care. Clinical case: We report a clinical case of a patient of 19 years old with a history of chronic bloody diarrhea refractory to various treatments, which remitted itself and later relapsed more severely, making suspicious of an atypical etiology: ulcerative colitis(AU)

Tumor neuroendócrino gástrico: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Gastric neuroendocrine tumor: case report and literature review / Tumor neuroendocrino gástrico: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura

Este artigo consiste em um estudo de caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 40 anos, com diarreia e perda ponderal significativa iniciada sete meses depois da sua admissão no Hospital Geral Roberto Santos. O paciente não apresentava alterações significativas no exame físico e as investigações clínicas e laboratoriais foram inexpressivas. Foram realizados estudos endoscópicos e anatomopatológicos, confirmando o diagnóstico de neoplasia neuroendócrina gástrica. Os achados histopatológicos evidenciaram um tumor bem diferenciado do tipo dois, sendo uma neoplasia rara de bom prognóstico. O paciente foi submetido a gastrectomia segmentar de corpo gástrico e evoluiu com melhora clínica da diarreia. Ele recebeu alta hospitalar e segue em acompanhamento com os serviços de gastroenterologia e endocrinologia.

This study reports the case of a 40-year-old male patient presenting with diarrhea and significant weight loss initiated seven months before admission at the Hospital Geral Roberto Santos. The patient showed no significant changes in the physical examination, and clinical and laboratory investigations were inexpressive. Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia was diagnosed by endoscopic and anatomopathological studies. Histopathological findings showed a well-differentiated type 2 tumor ­ a rare neoplasm with a good prognosis. The patient underwent segmental gastrectomy of the gastric body, evolving with clinical improvement of diarrhea. He was discharged from the hospital and is being followed by gastroenterology and endocrinology services.

Paciente del sexo masculino, 40 años, con diarrea y pérdida significativa de peso, que inició siete meses después de su ingreso en el Hospital Geral Roberto Santos. El paciente no presentó cambios significativos en la exploración física y las investigaciones clínicas y de laboratorio fueron inexpresivas. Se realizaron estudios endoscópicos y anatomopatológicos que confirmaron el diagnóstico de neoplasia neuroendocrina gástrica. Los hallazgos histopatológicos mostraron un tumor tipo 2 bien diferenciado, que es una neoplasia poco frecuente y de buen pronóstico. El paciente fue sometido a gastrectomía segmentaria del cuerpo gástrico y evolucionó con mejoría clínica de la diarrea. Fue dado de alta del hospital y aún está en seguimiento con los servicios de gastroenterología y endocrinología.

Olmesartan-associated Enteropathy / 中国医学科学院学报

Olmesartan,an angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker,is a commonly used antihypertensive drug.Several case reports and cohort studies in recent years have described a severe gastrointestinal adverse event with chronic diarrhea,intestinal malabsorption,and weight loss after the administration of olmesartan.In such cases,the patients recovered after discontinuing olmesartan.This adverse effect is called olmesartan-associated enteropathy(OAE).This article reviews the potential pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of OAE,which broadens the disease spectrum for the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea and intestinal malabsorption.

Professor 's clinical characteristics in the treatment of chronic diarrhea with acupuncture and herbal medicine based on activity theory in / 中国针灸

Professor believes that chronic diarrhea is located in the "intestine" and its pathogenesis focuses on the dysfunction of the spleen and the stomach which results in the impairment of activity. In the treatment, the comprehensive therapy is adopted, including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, cupping method, etc. Regarding acupuncture therapy, Tianshu (ST 25) is selected specially for regulating the spleen and stomach function, Xiabai (LU4) for dispersing the lung to stop diarrhea, as well as Yintang (GV 29), Shuigou (GV 26), Chengjiang (CV 24), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongwan (CV 12) for promoting the circulation of the conception vessel and the governor vessel. Regarding moxibustion therapy, moxibustion is exerted at the abdominal region to regulate and blood circulation and unblocking the meridians. Moreover, the retained cupping method is used at Shenque (CV 8) to consolidate the primary and the modified the herbal decoction is supplemented to tonify the acquired foundation for assisting the congenital one. All of these therapies co-work on promoting and regulating activity so as to stop diarrhea.

Diarrea crónica como manifestación de un tumor neuroendocrino / Chronic diarrhea as a manifestation of a neuroendocrine tumor

Resumen Las neoplasias neuroendocrinas (Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, NEN) constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de neoplasias poco frecuentes, que se originan en las células endocrinas, con la capacidad de secretar aminas y polipéptidos hormonales. Las NEN de localización pancreática (pNEN) pueden ser funcionales o no funcionales. Las pNEN funcionales secretan hormonas como la gastrina, la insulina y el glucagón y otras menos frecuentes como el péptido intestinal vasoactivo (PIV), por lo que sus características sindromáticas dependen del péptido secretado. Los vipomas se manifiestan con diarrea crónica de características secretoras, que usualmente conducen a trastornos hidroelectrolíticos e incluso a complicaciones serias asociadas como la falla renal. A continuación, se describe el caso de un hombre de 37 años con diarrea crónica de 6 meses de evolución y frecuentes hospitalizaciones por trastornos hidroelectrolíticos, generados por hipocalemia severa y lesión renal aguda por deshidratación. Después de múltiples estudios, se considera el diagnóstico de una diarrea secretora por NEN funcional, secretora de PIV. Por tanto, se inicia una terapia empírica con octreotida y se logra controlar la diarrea, así como corregir el trastorno hidroelectrolítico. Además, se amplían los estudios, para documentar las pNEN tratadas mediante intervención quirúrgica, con respuesta clínica favorable y remisión completa de la sintomatología.

Abstract Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms that originate in endocrine cells with the ability to secrete amines and hormonal polypeptides. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) can be functional or non-functional. Functional PNETs secrete common hormones such as gastrin, insulin and glucagon and much less frequent hormones such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Their characteristics depend on the peptide secreted. Vipomas are characterized by chronic diarrhea of ​​secretory characteristics that usually lead to hydroelectrolytic disorders and can lead to serious complications associated with renal failure. This article describes the case of a 37-year-old man who had suffered chronic diarrhea with frequent hospitalization for hydroelectrolytic disorders for six months due to severe hypokalemia and acute renal damage due to dehydration. After multiple studies, a diagnosis of secretory diarrhea due to a VIP secretory functional NET was considered. Empirical therapy with Octreotide was begun to control diarrhea and correct the hydroelectrolytic disorder. More studies of PNETS are being published. They have been treated surgically intervention with favorable clinical results and complete remission of symptoms.

Chronic Diarrhea Caused By an Impacted Foreign Body in the Sigmoid Colon: A Rare Scenario

Chronic diarrhea is a very common disease which affects the quality of life of our patients. It is one of the major diseases for which patients are referred to gastrointestinal clinics. Irritable bowel syndrome, infectious diarrhea and abdominal tuberculosis due to unhygienic conditions in our part of the world and inflammatory bowel disease are the major causes of chronic diarrhea in young patients. We are reporting a young female patient who presented with chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and bleeding per rectum mimicking ulcerative colitis for last many months but on colonoscopy examination an impacted foreign body was found in the sigmoid colon which was the culprit. Surgical retrieval of the foreign body resolved the symptoms.

Detection of enteric agents into a cats' shelter with cases of chronic diarrhea in Southern Brazil / Detecção de agentes enteropatogênicos associados à diarreia crônica em um gatil no Sul do Brasil

This study carried out a survey about enteropathogenic agents in domestic cats' shelter as a stage of investigation for the intermittent chronic diarrhea. Individual fecal samples from 39 cats with free access to the external environment were submitted to parasitological examination, parvovirus, and coronavirus by PCR, and Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and Tritrichomonas foetus by real-time PCR. From the cats evaluated, 30 (76.9%) were positive for one or more enteric agents, and coinfections were observed in 11 cats samples (28.2%). Helminth eggs were observed in 48.7% of cats (19/30), 16 (41%) were positive for parvovirus or coronavirus and 25.6% (10/30) were infected by protozoa. From the positives for protozoa, five cats were positive to T. foetus (12.82%). The first finding of this protozoan through PCR was in the southern Brazil, and the second was in the whole country. Chronic diarrhea in cats may be multifactorial in shelter animals where the population density is high and the control of parasitic, and viral infections are deficient. Moreover, it is due to poor hygiene conditions in these shelters. The factors associated with the proliferation of infectious diseases in shelters are correlated with new pathogens infections such as T. foetus.(AU)

Uma pesquisa de agentes enteropatogênicos em gatos domésticos de um abrigo foi realizado como etapa da investigação das causas de diarreias crônicas intermitentes. Amostras fecais individuais de 39 gatos, com livre acesso ao ambiente externo, foram obtidas para pesquisa de helmintos através do exame parasitológico, investigação de parvovírus e coronavírus e de Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. e Tritrichomonas foetus através de PCR em tempo real. Dos gatos avaliados, 30 (76,9%) foram positivos para algum ou mais de um destes agentes entéricos. Desses, 11 (28,2%) apresentaram co-infecções parasitárias. Ovos de helmintos foram observados em 48,7% dos gatos (19/30), 16 felinos (41%) foram positivos para parvovírus ou coronavírus e 25,6% (10/30) estavam infectados por protozoários. Dos positivos para protozoários, cinco apresentaram Tritrichomonas foetus (12,82%), um organismo pouco relatado no Brasil, sendo este o primeiro relato de detecção deste protozoário através de PCR em fezes de gatos no Sul do Brasil e o segundo no país. A diarreia crônica em gatos pode ser multifatorial em animais de abrigo onde a densidade populacional é elevada e os meios de controle parasitário e viral são deficitários, além das condições de higiene precárias. Os fatores associados à proliferação de doenças infecciosas em abrigos promovem o surgimento de infecções por novos patógenos como o Tritrichomonas foetus, até então pouco relatado no Brasil.(AU)

Diagnostic ideas of chronic diarrhea in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

The etiology of chronic diarrhea in children is complex,which seriously affects children's health and quality of life. Chronic diarrhea in childhood is common in infants. In addition to acquired factors,congenital anatomical abnormalities and congenital hereditary diseases should also be considered. The diagnosis of diarrhea should be based on comprehensive analysis of age,history,physical examination and laboratory tests. Further examination should be selected according to different conditions,including imaging,digestive endoscopy,pathology and special examination. Gene sequencing and functional verification should be used when genetic diseases are suspected. Eventually,most of the causes can be found.

Genetic diagnosis in chronic diarrhea in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

Chronic diarrhea in children is a common digestive system disease with many types,and the clinical symptoms are complex. The symptoms of various chronic diarrhea diseases often overlap,so it is difficult to diagnose. Gene detection is an effective method for making diagnosis. In recent years,the progress of molecular diagnosis technology,especially the wide application of second generation gene sequencing(NGS)technology,has reduced the cost and time of gene detection. Therefore,selecting the appropriate gene diagnosis strategies and interpreting the reports are very important for clinicians.

Racecadotril (Acetorphan) for diarrhea in adults infected with HIV/AIDS: A meta-analysis and systematic review

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Diarrhea is a common and disabling symptom seen in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The diarrhea is chronic and results in malabsorption contributing to cachexia. Symptomatic treatment can improve the quality of life and nutritional status of these patients.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The endogenous group of opiates known as enkephalins function as anti-secretory agents without affecting intestinal transit. Racecadotril (acetorphan) is an orally active enkephalinase inhibitor. Available studies have focused on the use of racecadotril in healthy adults and children with acute infectious diarrhea.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong>To assess the efficacy of racecadotril (acetorphan) in reducing the duration and frequency of bowel movement in adult HIV patients with chronic diarrhea.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS: </strong> Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials which used racecadotril for chronic diarrhea in HIV patients. Three independent reviewers assessed the quality of the two studies based on the Cochrane Infectious Disease Group prior to inclusion in study. Data extracted were analyzed using Revman Version 5. Test for heterogeneity was performed using the chi square test.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Results showed the standardized mean difference for the two trials comparing racecadotril to placebo and octreotide in reducing bowel movements from baseline was -1.00 (95% CI -1.16 to -0.84, Z=12.08, p<0.00001), showing a beneficial effect. Response rate for the two trials comparing racecadotril to placebo or octreotide in reducing bowel movements from baseline was -0.13 (95% CI -0.26 to 0.01, Z=1.84, p<0.07), showing a trend towards benefit in terms of response rates. Heterogeneity was statistically insignificant (p=1, I2=0%).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> There is evidence pointing to a benefit in using racecadotril in HIV and AIDS-associated, non-infectious diarrhea by decreasing the frequency of loose stools. An individualized approach is still recommended in its use for HIV patients with chronic diarrhea.</p>

Applications of Orento Based on“Upper Heat and Middle Cold” / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Orento is generally used for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. We have used orento for various diseases based on “upper heat and middle cold”. As a result of the evaluation of 30 responders to orento, the most frequent sign of “upper heat” was “yellow tongue coating” (29/30 responders), while the most frequent sign of “middle cold” was “preference for warm foods and beverages” (27/30 responders). Compared with the non-­responder group, the responder group showed significantly higher frequencies of “gastrointestinal cold”, which is the sum of “preference for warm foods and beverages” and “aggravation of gastrointestinal symptoms by cold foods and beverages” (29/30 responders, p = 0.047), and “upper/lower gastrointestinal symptoms” (29/30 responders, p = 0.014). These results suggest that “yellow tongue coating” is the most important sign for “upper heat” while “gastrointestinal cold” is the most important sign for “middle cold”. As Kampo patterns for orento, gastrointestinal symptoms often occur, but there is a possibility of upper or lower gastrointestinal symptoms, skin disorders, and sleep disorders.

Diagnóstico y manejo de la colitis microscópica / Diagnosis and management of microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a clinical condition characterized by chronic watery diarrhea, normal colonic mucosa and characteristic histological findings. It is composed of two main entities: collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC). Its incidence has been increasing, currently accounting for between 8 to 16% of studies for chronic diarrhea. It is more frequent in elderly women and is strongly associated with other autoimmune disorders. Its pathogenesis is not very well understood, but it supposes the immune activation secondary to the exposure of the colonic mucosa to different luminal antigens, mainly drugs. Management includes suspension of the potential causative agent and the use of anti-diarrheal medications. Oral budesonide has proven to be effective in induction and maintenance of remission, but with a high rate of recurrence upon discontinuation. Immune-modulators drugs such as azatioprine and metrotrexate have been tested in patients dependent to corticoids with variable results. Antibodies against tumor necrosis factors (TNF) are under studies, with promising results.

La colitis microscópica (CM) es una condición clínica caracterizada por diarrea crónica acuosa con mucosa colónica normal y hallazgos histológicos característicos. Está compuesta por dos entidades principales: la colitis colágena (CC) y la colitis linfocítica (CL). Su incidencia ha ido en aumento, siendo en la actualidad la responsable del 8 a 16% de los casos por diarrea crónica. Es más frecuente en mujeres de edad avanzada con una fuerte asociación a otras enfermedades autoinmunes. Su etiopatogenia no es del todo conocida, pero se cree juega un rol la activación inmune secundaria a la exposición de la mucosa colónica a diferentes antígenos luminales, principalmente fármacos. Dentro del manejo se incluye la suspensión del potencial agente causal y el uso de fármacos antidiarreicos. La budesonida oral ha demostrado alta efectividad en la inducción y mantención de la remisión, pero con una alta tasa de recurrencia al suspenderla. Fármacos inmunomoduladores como azatioprina y metrotrexato se han probado en pacientes corticodependendientes con resultados variables. El uso de anticuerpos monoclonales anti factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF) se encuentra en estudio, con resultados prometedores.

Estrongiloidiasis gastrointestinal en paciente inmunocompetente: a propósito de un caso / Gastrointestinal strongyloidosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

Intestinal parasitic infections cause a not insignificant number of chronic diarrhea in children, however, with the sociodemographic change that our country has experienced, the number of cases and new parasites (immigration from tropical endemic areas) could increase. We report the case of an immunocompetent patient who presents with chronic diarrhea associated with Strongyloides stercoralis infection. The patient migrated two years ago from an endemic area for this helminth. The diagnosis is challenging, and the chances of a successful outcome depend on the administration of the antiparasitic.

Las infecciones parasitarias intestinales provocan un número no despreciable de causas de diarrea crónica en niños, sin embargo, con el cambio sociodemográfico que ha vivido nuestro país se podría incrementar el número de casos y de nuevos parásitos (inmigración de áreas endémicas tropicales). Reportamos el caso de un paciente inmunocompetente, que presenta cuadro de diarrea crónica asociada a infección por Strongyloides stercoralis. El paciente habría migrado hace dos años desde zona endémica para este helminto. El diagnóstico es desafiante y las posibilidades de un resultado exitoso dependen de la administración del antiparasitario.

Hipocalcemia sintomática como manifestación de enfermedad celíaca en el adulto. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Symptomatic hypocalcemia as a rare celiac disease manifestation in adulthood. A case presetation and literature review

Resumen La enfermedad celíaca (EC) es un padecimiento sistémico con base inmunológica caracterizado por la intolerancia al gluten. La prevalencia mundial se ha reportado aproximadamente en 1%. El diagnóstico depende de la sintomatología, pruebas serológicas y resultado de la biopsia de intestino delgado. El cuadro clínico típico se caracteriza por diarrea, malabsorción y pérdida de peso. La enfermedad celiaca fue clásicamente descrita como una enfermedad de presentación en la infancia, sin embargo, su diagnóstico en la etapa adulta se ha vuelto más común. Existe una transición en la presentación de esta entidad, desde pacientes con síntomas típicos hasta pacientes asintomáticos. La identificación de estos últimos ha sido posible por la detección de anticuerpos séricos y los hallazgos de biopsias de intestino realizadas por otro motivo. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 57 años de edad que acude al servicio de urgencias por síntomas gastrointestinales y clínica neuropática. A la exploración física destacó la presencia de los signos de Chvostek y Trousseau. Se solicitaron estudios de laboratorio generales en los que destacó la presencia de hipocalcemia, por lo que requirió manejo con infusión de calcio intravenoso. Se complementó el abordaje con estudios que sugirieron malabsorción. Se realizó panendoscopía y colonoscopia con toma de biopsias, en las que se reportaron hallazgos sugestivos de enfermedad celiaca Marsh 3B. Finalmente, se solicitaron anticuerpos antitransglutaminasa, los cuales se reportaron postivos. Fue así que se integró el diagnóstico de EC. Se inició manejo con dieta libre de gluten con posterior mejoría.

Abstract Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic process with an immunological basis characterized by gluten intolerance. The worldwide prevalence that has been reported is of approximately 1%. The diagnosis depends on the symptomatology, serological tests and the results of a small bowel biopsy. The typical clinical presentation is characterized by diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss. Reports describe that the celiac disease is typically found in childhood, however, its diagnosis in adulthood has become a lot more common. A transition exists in the presentation of this nosological entity, from patients with typical symptoms to patients with an asymptomatic type. The identification of the latter has been possible with the detection of serum antibodies and the findings of bowel biopsies performed for other reasons. We present the case of a 57-year old male patient who arrived to the emergency room due to gastrointestinal and neuropathic symptoms. The physical examination highlighted the presence of Chvostek and Trousseau signs. General laboratory studies were requested, and hypocalcemia was identified; hence, a treatment with intravenous calcium infusion was required. The approach was complemented with other studies that suggested malabsorption. A panendoscopy and a colonoscopy with biopsies were performed. The findings suggested a Marsh 3B celiac disease. Finally, antitransglutaminase antibodies were requested and were reported as positive; therefore, a celiac disease diagnosis was made. The treatment started with a gluten-free diet, showing a subsecuent improvement.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in an immunosuppressed patient: a case report

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease that is characterized by Eosinophil infiltration in one or multiple segments of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology of this condition remains unknown. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis has heterogeneous clinical manifestations that depend upon the location and depth of infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract, and eosinophilia may or may not be present. This article reports a case of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in a 57 years old retroviral male patient, who presented with chronic diarrhea, bilateral pedal edema and eosinophilia. Ultimately, the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was clinched. The rare character of eosinophilic gastroenteritis and its varied clinical presentations often lead to delayed diagnosis and complications. Case reports may help to disseminate knowledge about the disease, thereby increasing the likelihood of early diagnosis and intervention to prevent complications.