Macrophage-Stimulating 1 Polymorphism rs3197999 in Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background and Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), often necessitates long-term treatment and hospitalizations and also may require surgery. The macrophage-stimulating 1 (MST1) rs3197999 polymorphism is strongly associated with the risk of IBD but its exact clinical correlates remain under investigation. We aimed to characterize the relationships between the MST1 rs3197999 genotype and the clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with IBD within a multi-center cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Clinical data included serum C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, activity indices (PUCAI, PCDAI), anthropometric data, pharmacotherapy details, surgery, and disease severity. Genotyping for rs3197999 was carried out using TaqMan hydrolysis probes. Results: The study included 367 pediatric patients, 197 with Crohn's disease (CD) (40.6% female; a median age of 15.2 years [interquartile range 13.2-17.0]) and 170 with ulcerative colitis (UC) (45.8% female; a median age of 15.1 years [11.6-16.8]). No significant relationships were found between MST1 genotypes and age upon first biologic use, time from diagnosis to biological therapy introduction, PUCAI, PCDAI, or hospitalizations for IBD flares. However, in IBD, the height Z-score at the worst flare was negatively associated with the CC genotype (p = 0.016; CC: -0.4 [-1.2-0.4], CT: -0.1 [-0.7-0.8], TT: 0.0 [-1.2-0.7)]). The TT genotype was associated with higher C-reactive protein upon diagnosis (p = 0.023; CC: 4.3 mg/dL [0.7-21.8], CT 5.3 mg/dL [1.3-17.9], TT 12.2 mg/dL [3.0-32.9]). Conclusions: This study identified links between MST1 rs3197999 and the clinical characteristics of pediatric IBD: height Z-score and CRP. Further studies of the associations between genetics and the course of IBD are still warranted, with a focus on more extensive phenotyping.

Identification of Iatrogenic Perforation in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Iatrogenic viscus perforation in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) is a very rare, yet potentially life-threatening event. There are no evidence-based recommendations relating to immediate post-procedure follow-up to identify perforations and allow for timely management. This study aims to characterize the presentation of children with post-GIE perforation to better rationalize post-procedure recommendations. METHODS: Retrospective study based on unrestricted pooled data from centers throughout Europe, North America, and the Middle East affiliated with the Endoscopy Special Interest Groups of European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition. Procedural and patient data relating to clinical presentation of the perforation were recorded on standardized REDCap case-report forms. RESULTS: Fifty-nine cases of viscus perforation were recorded [median age 6 years (interquartile range 3-13)]; 29 of 59 (49%) occurred following esophagogastroduodenoscopy, 26 of 59 (44%) following ileocolonoscopy, with 2 of 59 (3%) cases each following balloon enteroscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; 28 of 59 (48%) of perforations were identified during the procedure [26/28 (93%) endoscopically, 2/28 (7%) by fluoroscopy], and a further 5 of 59 (9%) identified within 4 hours. Overall 80% of perforations were identified within 12 hours. Among perforations identified subsequent to the procedure 19 of 31 (61%) presented with pain, 16 of 31 (52%) presented with fever, and 10 of 31 (32%) presented with abdominal rigidity or dyspnea; 30 of 59 (51%) were managed surgically, 17 of 59 (29%) managed conservatively, and 9 of 59 (15%) endoscopically; 4 of 59 (7%) patients died, all following esophageal perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic perforation was identified immediately in over half of cases and in 80% of cases within 12 hours. This novel data can be utilized to generate guiding principles of post-procedural follow-up and monitoring. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Bowel perforation following pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy is very rare with no evidence to base post-procedure follow-up for high-risk procedures. We found that half were identified immediately with the large majority identified within 12 hours, mostly due to pain and fever.

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Circulating Immune Cells in Children with Helicobacter pylori Infection-Correlation with Clinical Factors.

H. pylori gastritis is strongly associated with the upregulation of the expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the gastric mucosa. However, the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases -TIMPs) produced by immune cells in infected children have not been clearly defined. Moreover, the effects of H. pylori eradication therapy on MMPs and TIMPs production has not been evaluated. A total of 84 children were studied: 24-with newly diagnosed H. pylori gastritis, 25-after H. pylori eradication therapy (17 of them after successful therapy), 24-with H. pylori-negative gastritis, and 11-controls. Plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 by ELISA; MMPs and TIMPs expression in lymphocytes; neutrophils and monocytes in peripheral blood by multiparameter flow cytometry; and mucosal mRNA expression levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 in gastric biopsies by RT-PCR were evaluated. Children with H. pylori-related gastritis showed the following: (1) increased MMP-2 and TIMP-2 plasma levels, (2) increased intracellular expression of MMP-2 in the circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils, (3) low frequencies of circulating TIMP-1+ and TIMP-2+ leukocytes, and (4) high expression of mRNA for MMP-9 along with low expression of mRNA for MMP-2 in the gastric mucosa. Unsuccessful H. pylori eradication was associated with the following: (1) high plasma levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, (2) increased pool of TIMP-1+ lymphocytes as well as high expression of MMP-9 in circulating lymphocytes, and (3) high expression of mRNA for MMP-9 in the gastric mucosa. Our data suggest that MMPs are important contributors to stomach remodelling in children with H. pylori-related gastritis. Unsuccessful H. pylori eradication is associated with increased MMP-9 in plasma, circulating lymphocytes, and gastric mucosa.

C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio at Diagnosis of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Multi-Center Study.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the C-reactive protein-to-albumin (CRP/albumin) ratio at diagnosis of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum CRP/albumin ratio was calculated for patients with Crohn's disease (CD; n=186) and ulcerative colitis (UC; n=159) aged 3-18 years. RESULTS Patients with CD differed in CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis in groups with quiescent, mild, moderate, and severe disease (P=0.011). CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis was significant in differentiating patients with severe CD from quiescent disease at diagnosis (area under the curve (AUC)=0.94, odds ratio (OR)=63.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.1-569.1, P<0.0001). CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis could moderately differentiate penetrating from non-penetrating disease behavior in CD at diagnosis (AUC=0.73, OR=6.3, 95% CI 2.0-19.3, P<0.001). Furthermore, CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis weakly differentiated IBD patients in need of biological treatment in a step-up procedure (AUC=0.58, OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4, P=0.022) and in need of surgery (AUC=0.63, OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.4-7.2, P=0.006). For the IBD, CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis was weakly correlated with age at first immunosuppressive treatment (rho=0.20, P=0.018), time from diagnosis to first biological treatment (rho=-0.37, P<0.001), days spent in hospital (rho=0.26, P=0.007), number of severe relapses (rho=0.31, P=0.001), and Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (rho=0.38, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The present findings add to previous studies carried out in adult patients and show that the CRP/albumin ratio at diagnosis was not significantly associated with the course of either CD or UC in children. However, CRP/albumin ratio could differentiate patients with severe CD from those with quiescent disease.

Usefulness of Molecular Methods for Helicobacter pylori Detection in Pediatric Patients and Their Correlation with Histopathological Sydney Classification.

Helicobacter pylori infections, as one of the most prevalent among humans, are generally acquired during childhood, and are one of the main causes of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. A bacterial culture from a gastric biopsy is the gold standard and is the only method that has 100% specificity. However, its sensitivity varies, depending on experience of the laboratory staff, applied culture media, specimen transport conditions, biopsy site, and quality of the sample. The same factors compromise all invasive methods and a culture-based H. pylori infection diagnostic, as well as a recent intake of antibiotics, bismuth-containing compounds, and proton pump inhibitors. Molecular methods have been used for clinical microbiology investigation since the beginning of the 21st century. However, their usefulness for H. pylori infections diagnosis remains unclear, especially in pediatric patients. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of H. pylori infections in a group of 104 pediatric patients and to compare the results of the PCR test with the corresponding histopathological investigation effects. Among the biopsy samples collected from 104 children, 44 (42.3%) were positive in PCR, while 43 (41.3%) and 39 (37.5%) presented histologically-confirmed signs of inflammation and H. pylori colonization, respectively. Moreover, the mean grades of the parameters of the histopathological examination were higher in the group of PCR-positive samples. The compatibility of both research methods was confirmed, emphasizing the usefulness of molecular methods for detecting H. pylori infections in pediatric patients. Considering that the PCR-based method gives reliable results and is less time-consuming and costly, it is worth discussing this method as a new standard in the diagnosis of H. pylori infections, at least among pediatric patients, for which culture-based diagnostics is not sufficient or histopathological examination is negative, while inflammation signs are observed macroscopically.

Usefulness of Testing for Fecal Calprotectin in Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinical Practice.

Gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and fever are common reasons for which parents take children to the pediatrician. An increasing prevalence of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and a decrease in the median age of their onset indicate the need to search for new diagnostic methods for differentiating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) from other gastrointestinal tract diseases. An example of a novel biomarker is fecal calprotectin (FC), which is considered a noninvasive and useful marker of intestinal inflammation. This review summarizes currently available information on the use of FC in the diagnosis and monitoring of IBD in children. Additionally, it attempts to determine the course of action depending on the concentration of FC. Application of FC determination within the framework of primary medical care can decrease the number of children unnecessarily referred either to endoscopic or radiologic examination. There is a double advantage of calprotectin screening; for patients, it reduces delays in diagnosis and unnecessary exposure to endoscopy, and for doctors, it reduces pressure on endoscopy testing and facilitates decision-making. We emphasize the role of FC as a noninvasive marker, primarily in patients with IBD, in monitoring disease activity, predicting relapse, monitoring therapy efficacy, and monitoring postoperative relapses.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among junior high school students in Grudziadz, Poland.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among the junior high school students in city Grudziadz, Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study among second junior high school students was conducted from September 2008 to June 2015 during seven consecutive school years. The studied group was 3241 students 13-17 years old. The 13 C-urea breath test (UBT) was administered to all participants for current H. pylori infection. Clinical, sociodemographic, and hygienic risk factors for H. pylori positivity were analyzed in children with positive and negative UBT. RESULTS: Urea breath test was performed and results were obtained for 3067 of 3241 children, including 723 children (23.6%) with positive result (group 1) and 2344 children (76.4%) with negative result (group 2). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was not different in subsequent seven school years (P = 0.06) and depending on the gender (P = 0.57). In group 1 the cough and in group 2 the epigastric discomfort occurred more frequent (P = 0.04 and P = 0.002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, factors positively associated with prevalence of H. pylori were age >16 years (OR = 2.556; 95%CI 1.293-5.025), living in old town district (OR = 1.374; 95%CI 1.097-1.723), consumption of raw vegetables (OR 1.305; 95%CI 1.038-1.642) or unboiled water (OR = 1.444; 95%CI 1.138-1.832) and using collective catering facilities (OR 1.338; 95%CI 1.039-1.724). Having a cat was protective against H. pylori (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.614-0.991). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 10 years, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Polish adolescents has decreased. H. pylori infection remains problem closely associated with socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. Our results are important to develop prevention strategies for H. pylori-related diseases.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Plasmacytoid and Myeloid Dendritic Cells in Peripheral Blood and Gastric Mucosa of Children.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency and activation status of peripheral plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs) as well as gastric mucosa DC subset distribution in Helicobacter pylori- (H. pylori-) infected and noninfected children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six children were studied; twenty-one had H. pylori. The frequencies of circulating pDCs (lineage-HLA-DR+CD123+) and mDCs (lineage-HLA-DR+CD11c+) and their activation status (CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR expression) were assessed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the densities of CD11c+, CD123+, CD83+, CD86+, and LAMP3+ cells in the gastric mucosa were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The frequency of circulating CD83+ mDCs was higher in H. pylori-infected children than in the noninfected controls. The pDCs demonstrated upregulated HLA-DR surface expression, but no change in CD86 expression. Additionally, the densities of gastric lamina propria CD11c+ cells and epithelial pDCs were increased. There was a significant association between frequency of circulating CD83+ mDCs and gastric lamina propria mDC infiltration. CONCLUSION: This study shows that although H. pylori-infected children had an increased population of mature mDCs bearing CD83 in the peripheral blood, they lack mature CD83+ mDCs in the gastric mucosa, which may promote tolerance to local antigens rather than immunity. In addition, this may reduce excessive inflammatory activity as reported for children compared to adults.

Complex profile of multiple hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a child with Nijmegen breakage syndrome.

Patients with Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) can develop life-threatening immunodeficiency, which should be treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with NBS who due to an increasing number of severe complications was referred for HSCT from a matched unrelated donor. After reduced-intensity conditioning and transplantation of peripheral blood hematopoietic cells, during the early post-transplant period (days 0-30), the girl suffered from severe mucositis, fever episodes, mild acute renal injury and facial vasculitis. All these complications were managed successfully. During the intermediate post-transplant period (days 30-100) a number of hepatic and gastrointestinal complications occurred, including cholecystitis, cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis as well as acute bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract caused by rectal and recto-sigmoid junction ulcers. All the obstacles were obviously attributable both to the primary congenital disease, its complications, and transplantation itself. We overcame these complications and treated the patient with the best possible and safe methods. The multidisciplinary approach based on combined surgical, endoscopic and conservative management of multiple post-transplant complications was successful for the patient.

Prevalence of allergic diseases in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: There are many similarities between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and allergic diseases, including similar epidemiological data, pathomechanism, clinical course and even treatment methods. So far, many studies of IBD comorbidity with other diseases, including allergy, but mainly in adults, have been conducted. AIM: To analyse the prevalence of allergic diseases, i.e. food allergy (FA), cow's milk allergy (CMA), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma in children with IBD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 105 IBD patients from the Department of Paediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenterology of Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz and 100 children without IBD from the Outpatient Clinics. The authors applied the validated questionnaire as a study method. RESULTS: At least one allergic disease was found in 26 (43%) IBD children. The allergological diagnosis was made in IBD children more frequently than in the control group (p = 0.04). The difference was more noticeable with regards to skin prick tests (p = 0.02). FA was the most common disease; it was noted in 19 (32%) IBD children; followed by: AD - in 13 (22%), CMA - in 12 (20%), AR - in 10 (17%) and asthma - in 6 (10%) children. The prevalence of allergic diseases in the control and study groups was comparable (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between age of IBD children and allergy (p > 0.05). Asthma was significantly more common in children undergoing biological treatment (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with IBD should be constantly monitored by medical professionals, not only due to the underlying disease but also due to a possible concomitant allergic disease.

Innate immunity components and cytokines in gastric mucosa in children with Helicobacter pylori infection.

PURPOSE. To investigate the expression of innate immunity components and cytokines in the gastric mucosa among H. pylori infected and uninfected children. Materials and Methods. Biopsies of the antral gastric mucosa from children with dyspeptic symptoms were evaluated. Gene expressions of innate immunity receptors and cytokines were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The protein expression of selected molecules was tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS. H. pylori infection did not lead to a significant upregulation of MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, CD14, TREM1, and TREM2 mRNA expression but instead resulted in high mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and CD163. H. pylori cagA(+) infection was associated with higher IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA expression, as compared to cagA(-) strains. H. pylori infected children showed increased IFN-γ and TNF-α protein levels. IFN-γ mRNA expression correlated with both H. pylori density of colonization and lymphocytic infiltration in the gastric mucosa, whereas TNF-α protein expression correlated with bacterial density. CONCLUSION. H. pylori infection in children was characterized by (a) Th1 expression profile, (b) lack of mRNA overexpression of natural immunity receptors, and (c) strong anti-inflammatory activities in the gastric mucosa, possibly resulting from increased activity of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. This may explain the mildly inflammatory gastric inflammation often observed among H. pylori infected children.

[Biological treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in children in the years 2004-2013 in Poland]. / Leczenie biologiczne nieswoistych zapalen jelit u dzieci w latach 2004-2013 w Polsce.

UNLABELLED: In the last years an increase in Crohn's disease morbidity in children is observed together with constant morbidity of ulcerative colitis. The course of these diseases is severe, younger children are affected and the diseases are resistant to conventional treatment. Biological drugs are a chance for a longer remission and healing of the intestinal mucosa. OBJECTIVE OF THE WORK: Assessment of the use of biological drugs in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in Poland was the objective of the work. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastroenterological centers treating inflammatory bowel disease during the years 2004-2013 were invited to a questionnaire retrospective study. RESULTS: The questionnaires of biological treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children were received from 12 centers. In the years 2004-2013 the number of children aged 4 months to 18 years with Crohn's disease treated with biological drugs was 424. In the years 2004-2008--69 children were treated with infliximab and in the years 2009-2013--299 children, which was a four-fold increase. 56 children were treated with adalimumab in the years 2008-2013. In the years 2005-2013--72 children with ulcerative colitis were treated with infliximab and 11 with adalimumab. The age of the children ranged from 2 years to 18 years. The higher number of children treated was in the years 2009-2013: 59 with infliximab and 10 with adalimumab. CONCLUSIONS: In the last decade a significant increase on the number of children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis treated with biological drugs was observed. It is connected not only to greater morbidity but above all to the introduction of a treatment program by the National Health Insurance Fund for children with Crohn's disease. There is an expectation that the introduction of biological treatment in inflammatory bowel disease will prolong clinical and endoscopic remission and diminish the number of surgeries.

Diagnosis, Clinical Presentation and Management of Celiac Disease in Children and Adolescents in Poland.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals, affecting about 1% of the general population in the developed world. In 2012, the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommendations for CD diagnoses in children and adolescents were introduced, allowing the "no-biopsy" approach if certain criteria were met. This approach was also confirmed in the revised guidelines published in 2020. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess-over a one-year period-the clinical presentations and current status of the management of children and adolescents diagnosed with CD in Poland. Medical records of children and adolescents, newly diagnosed with CD in 2022/2023 in three medical centers in Poland, were involved. Gastroenterologists completed the specific anonymous web-based forms developed in the CD SKILLS project, including data routinely assessed at individual visits about the diagnostic approach and clinical presentation of the disease. Our study assessed 100 patients (56% girls) with an age range 1.6-18.0 years. We found that 98% of patients were serologically tested prior to a CD diagnosis and 58% of patients were diagnosed using the "no-biopsy" approach. In the analyzed group, 40% belonged to a known risk group, only 22% had annual screening before the CD diagnosis (the longest for 9 years), and 19% showed no symptoms at the time of the CD diagnosis. Our research confirmed the applicability of the "no-biopsy" approach for the diagnosis of CD in children and adolescents in Poland, and also showed changes in the clinical picture of CD. Moreover, we highlight the need to introduce broad CD serological screening in risk groups of the Polish population.

[The prevalence of dupA (duodenal ulcer-promoting gene) of Helicobacter pylori in children and adolescents--own observation]. / Czestosc wystepowania genu dupA (duodenal ulcer-promoting gene) Helicobacter pylori u dzieci i mlodziezy--obserwacje wlasne.

UNLABELLED: The strains of Helicobacter pylori are described by many common features which determine their virulence. The genes which are connected with much higher virulence of some strains are vacA, cagA, oipA, dupA. Duodenal Ulcer Promoting Gene--dupA is the new virulence factor coexisting with a duodenum ulcer. There is a rationale that shows a protective character of dupA with reference to a stomach cancer. The dupA gene probably causes increasingly higher releasing of pro-infectious IL-8 via stomach cells and it influences the production of IL-12 and other cytokines. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of dupA gene's appearance in the Polish children's group and in the Polish teenagers' group infected with H. pylori. The research was also aimed to determine the coexistence of dupA gene and duodenum ulcer disease or erosion infection of duodenum's mucous membrane. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The endoscopic examination of the upper part of digestive duct was performed in 119 qualified patients with dyspeptic symptoms and with suspicion of stomach and duodenum's mucous membrane infection. The segments were taken for histopathological identification of H. pylori and for genetic indicating via PCR method. To confirm the presence of H. pylori in the extract the amplification of DNA fragment sized 860 pz was used. The presence of dupA gene was detected by PCR reaction with using the starters which include the fragment of jhp0917-jhp0918 sequence in the plastic H. pylori's genome area. To confirm the infection the urea breathing test was taken. RESULTS: 88 patients confirm the infection of H. pylori. The presence of dupA gene was found in 20 patients--a group A (22.7%), whereas in 68 patients dupA gene was not found--a group B (77.2%). Pathological changes in duodenum was found in 20 patients infected with H. pylori (22.7%), included 4 patients in the group A (20%) and 16 in the group B (23.5%). There was an infection (swelling, redness, congestion) in duodenum was found in the group A in all cases and there was an erosion presented in 3 patients. In the group B in 2 patients the duodenum ulcer disease was diagnosed. The infectious changes in duodenum were found in 7 patients but they were not infected with H. pylori; 1 patient was diagnosed with the duodenum ulcer disease. CONCLUSION: The presence of dupA gene in the Polish children population infected with H. pylori is quite frequent but there is no clinical correlation with the duodenum ulcer disease.

[Polymorphism of helicobacter pylori and the presence of genes babA2 and sabA and endoscopic and histopathological changes in patients infected with Heicobacter pylori]. / Polimorfizm Helicobacter pylori i obecnoss genów babA2 i sabA a obraz endoskopowy i histopatologiczny u chorych zakazonych Helicobacter pylori.

UNLABELLED: The infection of Helicobacter pylori is the main reason of a duodenal and gastric ulcer disease. Among other virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori, there are outer membrane proteins (OMPs), such as babA2 and sabA. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: An assessment of a relationship between the presence of genes babA2 and sabA and endoscopic and histopathologic changes during gastritis, duodenitis and an ulcer disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 119 patients aged from 3 to 17 (average 13.6) with gastritis and duodenitis and the infection of Helicobacter pylori. The endoscopy was conducted with taking samples of the mucosa for the histopathologic and genetic examination. The degree of endoscopic and histopatologic changes were determined according to Sydney's classification. The patients were devided in the extra groups with a small level (without erosion) and with a large level (with erosion) of endoscopic changes. To identify the infection of Helicobacter pylori, the PCR technique was used and then the presence of the babA2 and sabA genes of Helicobacter pylori was verified. The genetic confirmation of Helicobacter pylori infection was obtained in 88 patients and material was directed to the further examination. RESULTS: Not statistically significant differences were determined between endoscopic and histopathologic pictures and either the presence or absence of the genes babA2 and sabA. CONCLUSION: The presence of the genes babA2 and sabA is not related with level of endoscopic and histopathologic changes in pediatrics patients.

Celiac-the lone horse? An autoimmune condition without signals of microbiota dysbiosis.

Accumulating evidence supports the role of microbiota in autoimmune processes, but research regarding the role of the gut microbiota in celiac disease (CD) is still emerging, and a consistent CD-associated dysbiosis pattern has not yet been defined. Here, we characterized the microbiota of children newly diagnosed with CD, with their unaffected family members as a healthy control group to reduce confounding factors including genetic background, hygiene, dietary habits, and environment, and followed children with CD over 1 year of dietary intervention (exclusion of gluten) to understand if the microbiota is associated with CD and its mediation. We did not find differences in the microbiota of siblings with and without CD, despite a wealth of evidence in the literature supporting CD-specific microbiota. CD is common among first-degree relatives, so this could suggest that unaffected family members in this study may be living in a pre-CD state, currently below clinical detection. Interestingly, despite the effectiveness of diet in CD control, we did not observe diet-mediated microbiota changes, except for short-term increase in Akkermansia muciniphila. This lack of effect could suggest a very strong CD microbial signature even when controlled or could be a technical shortcoming. Expanded future studies with both related and unrelated controls and diet interventions in both the CD and control arms can provide further context to our findings. IMPORTANCE The microbiota is the community of microbes that live in and on us. These microbes are essential to our health and everyday function. Disruption of the community is associated with diseases ranging from metabolic syndrome to autoimmune diseases to mental disorders. In the case of celiac disease (CD), research remains inconclusive regarding implications of the microbiota in etiology. Here, we compared microbiota of children with CD to those of their unaffected family members and found very few differences in microbiota profiles. We next examined how gluten elimination in CD patients affects the microbiota. Surprisingly, despite diet adherence, microbiota shifts were minimal, with only a short-term increase in Akkermansia muciniphila. Previous studies suggest that family members of CD patients may be living in a pre-CD state, which could explain their microbial similarity. A larger study with unrelated controls and increased microbiota monitoring during diet intervention should give our findings more perspective.

Expression of adhesion and activation molecules on circulating monocytes in children with Helicobacter pylori infection.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the cell surface expression of adhesion (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18, CD54, and CD58) and activation (CD14, HLA-DR, and CD16) molecules on the circulating monocytes in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected and noninfected children with gastritis, with the goal of comparing the results with those obtained from the controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four children were studied: 47 of them with H. pylori infection (of those 25 children after the failure of eradication therapy) and 26 children with gastritis where H. pylori infection was excluded, as well as 21 controls. H. pylori infection status was assessed based on [¹³C] urea breath test, rapid urease test, and histology. Analysis of the monocyte surface molecule expression was carried out by flow cytometry. RESULTS: H. pylori-infected children and children who experienced a failure of the eradication therapy differed significantly in the expression of adhesion and activation molecule on circulating monocytes. A decrease, both in the proportion of CD11c- and CD14-bearing monocytes, and the expression of CD11c and CD14 molecules on circulating monocytes, was found in children in whom the eradication therapy failed (p < .05). Low expression of CD11b (p = .04) and CD18 (p = .02) integrins on monocytes was also observed. Additionally, the percentage of HLA-DR-bearing monocytes was decreased (p = .04), while the CD16 density receptor was increased (p = .02). Compared with the controls, low percentage of CD16-positive monocytes was noted in noninfected children with gastritis (p = .01). CONCLUSION: H. pylori eradication therapy in children causes inhibition of inflammatory response via a reduction in CD11b, CD11c, and CD18 beta2 integrin monocyte expression.

Adaptive changes of pancreatic protease secretion to a short-term vegan diet: influence of reduced intake and modification of protein.

In our previous study, we demonstrated that abstaining from meat, for 1 month, by healthy omnivores (lacto-ovovegetarian model) resulted in a statistical decrease in pancreatic secretion as measured by faecal elastase-1 output. However, no correlation between relative and non-relative changes of energy and nutrient consumption and pancreatic secretion was documented. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the changes of exocrine pancreatic secretion with a more restrictive dietetic modification, by applying a vegan diet. A total of twenty-one healthy omnivores (sixteen females and five males) participated in the prospective study lasting for 6 weeks. The nutrient intake and faecal output of pancreatic enzymes (elastase-1, chymotrypsin and lipase) were assessed twice during the study. Each assessment period lasted for 7 d: the first before the transition to the vegan diet (omnivore diet) and the second during the last week of the study (vegan diet). The dietary modification resulted in a significant decrease in faecal elastase-1 (P < 0·05) and chymotrypsin output (P < 0·04). The lipase excretion remained unchanged. The decrease in proteolytic enzymes was documented to be positively correlated with a decreased protein intake (P < 0·05). In addition, elastase-1 and chymotrypsin outputs were also related to the changes of protein type, plant v. animal (P < 0·04 and P < 0·03, respectively). It was concluded that significant reduction and modification of protein intake due to a short-term vegan diet resulted in an adaptation of pancreatic protease secretion in healthy volunteers.

Polymorphic variants of genes involved in homocysteine metabolism in celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a polygenic chronic enteropathy conferring an increased risk for various nutrient deficiency states. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a frequent finding in CD and may be related to the development of venous thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, and stroke in untreated CD patients. Recently, a possible excess in the frequency of the MTHFR c.677C>T (rs1801133) gene variant in CD patients was reported. The purpose of this study was to determine if there exist differences in the distribution of polymorphic variants of genes involved in homocysteine/methyl group metabolism between CD patients and the general population. A set of 10 gene polymorphisms (MTHFR rs1801133, MTR rs1805087, MTHFD1 rs2236225, MTRR rs1801394, CBS 844ins68, BHMT1 rs7356530 and rs3733890, BHMT2 rs526264 and rs625879, and TCN2 rs1801198) was tested in 134 patients with CD and 160 matched healthy controls. The frequency of the MTR rs1805087 GG genotype in CD patients was lower than in controls (0.01 and 0.06, respectively), although statistical significance was not achieved (P = 0.06). For the other analyzed polymorphisms, there was no evidence of difference in both allelic and genotypic distribution between cases and controls. The exhaustive Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction analysis revealed no combination of interactive polymorphisms predicting the incidence of CD. In contrast to the well-documented clinical observations of increased risks of vascular disease in patients with longstanding untreated CD, in our group of patients no significant association with CD was found for all tested polymorphic variants of genes involved in homocysteine metabolism. These findings should be replicated in studies with a larger sample size.