Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer in Croatia.

The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was studied in a population from two areas of Croatia with significantly different average gastric cancer (GC) cumulative incidence and mortality rates. In a random sample of 456 blood sera from both areas, which was tested with the ELISA Helicobacter pylori-antibody test, 48.8% of people in the north and 53.3% in the south of the country were found to be infected. The difference between the two areas in the seroprevalence of the infection was not statistically significant, nor did their populations differ in age, sex, educational background, smoking habit or wine consumption. Our results do not point to any association between the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the level of cumulative incidence and GC mortality levels.

The influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastrin and somatostatin values present in serum.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies on the role of Helicobacter pylori in pathogenesis of duodenal ulcers have focused on the mechanism by which H. pylori infections causes exaggerated gastrin release. METHODOLOGY: We compared the gastrin and somatostatin serum values between two groups of patients; 37 H. pylori-positive ones and 29 H. pylori-negative ones. We applied radioimmunoassay technique to determine the gastrin and somatostatin values in serum. H. pylori was confirmed by urease test and by histopathological color according to Giemsa. RESULTS: The level of gastrin in the serum of Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with chronic gastritis were significantly higher in relation to H. pylori-negative patients. The somatostatin concentration in the sera of H. pylori-positive patients with duodenal ulcer (16.27 +/- 9.49 pg/mL) were less in comparison with those without duodenal ulcer (23.25 +/- 13.59 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that H. pylori infection suppresses the somatostatin secretion.

Pirenzepin in gastric and duodenal ulcer: a double-blind trial.

In seventy-five out-patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer a comparative double-blind trial with pirenzepin against placebo was performed. The dose was 50 mg pirenzepin daily or placebo respectively, the duration of treatment being 4 weeks. The healing effect of pirenzepin in duodenal ulcer patients could be proven endoscopically and was statistically significant when compared with placebo (p less than or equal to 0.05). Strong evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of pirenzepin could be further demonstrated in both duodenal and gastric ulcer patients by measuring the marked reduction of ulcer size, even though statistical difference against placebo in gastric ulcers was not fully achieved. Pirenzepin was well tolerated by all patients, except for a mild case of diarrhoea which occurred in one patient. No patient complained of dryness of the mouth or of blurred vision.

Occult gastrointestinal bleeding in rugby player.

BACKGROUND: Local ischemia and mechanical trauma to hollow abdominal organs are quoted as a cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding during and after long distance running. There are no data on athletes from rugby and other contact sports where mechanical trauma of the abdomen is frequent. METHODS: Occult bleeding in the stool of Croatian national rugby team players has been investigated during and after qualification match with Italy for the World Cup 1999 on June 6th 1998 in Makarska, Croatia. One player with positive test was followed and examined in detail after the game. RESULTS: Among 11 Croatian players authors discovered one with a history of GI symptoms and one with conversion of negative to positive test for occult bleeding in stool after the match. The latter player had no GI symptoms or diseases, took no medications, played only 20 minutes in the match on forward position. Conversion has been found in the second stool sample after game (24 to 48 hours after game). The athlete was followed for 18 months. Persistent low values of hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum iron were revealed, as well as expressed hemorrhoids without signs of haemorrhage or inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Lower incidence of GI bleeding among rugby players than among long distance runners minimize the importance of mechanical abdominal trauma in the etiology of GI bleeding during sports activity. Hemorrhoids are not quoted as a cause of GI bleeding after sport activity among athletes.

[Distribution of Helicobacter pylori infection in the adult population of Croatia]. / Rasprostranjenost infekcije s Helicobacter pylori u odrasloj populaciji Hrvatske.

The study of the distribution of Helicobacter pylori infection was carried out among the population of Croatia aged between 20 and 70 years, in three areas of Croatia (central, northern, southern). For the detection of seroprevalence of this infection the ELISA test for IgG antibodies was used on a random sample of 3,082 serum samples. The testing showed an average rate of seroprevalence in Croatia of 60.4% (95% CI 58.7-62.1%). Higher infection rates were observed in older population of Croatia. These rates ranged from 51.6% in the third decade of life, to almost 70% in the sixth decade. In male subjects the average rate was 58.9% and in female subjects it was 65.9%. The difference was not statistically significant. The results of this study showed that distribution of this infection was not consistent in all the studied areas of Croatia. While the Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence was almost identical in the central area and in the northern counties of Croatia, 58.4% and 59.5% respectively, it showed statistically significant difference in the south, being 71.3% (chi(2) = 25.884, P < 0.001). An inconsistent distribution of this infection in Croatia was indicated also by standardized infection rates, which were 59 in the central area, 61 in the northern and 71 in the southern areas.

[Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in health personnel in 3 hospitals in Zagreb]. / Seroprevalencija infekcije Helicobacterom pylori u zdravstvenih djelatnika triju zagrebackih bolnica.

By this study we wanted to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in 175 health care workers of three Zagreb city hospitals. The obtained results were compared with those of 2492 volunteer blood donors. The influence of age, education, socioeconomic status and length of service at specific hospital working places were investigated in relation to the frequency of H. pylori seropositivity. The blood samples were tested by commercial kits of immunoenzyme assay (ELISA) and complement fixation (CF), according to manufacturers instructions. The mean seroprevalence of infection was 58.6% in the group of blood donors and 53.7% in the group of health care workers (NS). Statistically significant difference was found between physicians (29%) and all other health care workers: nurses (58.6%; p < 0.005), laboratory technicians (60.6%; p < 0.005), clerical workers (66.6%; p < 0.005) and auxiliary workers (82.6%; p < 0.001). Concerning the age, the infection seroprevalence was higher in workers aged more than 40 years than in those younger, and that difference was of statistical significance among nurses and laboratory technicians. Physicians under 29 yrs were of the lowest seropositivity (14.8%). Among health care workers with less than 20 working years, physicians expressed the lowest rate of infection (17.9%) in comparison with nurses (48.5%) and laboratory technicians (53.3%). In all health care workers with more than 20 working years there was significant increase of infection prevalence, particularly among nurses. The employees in gastrointestinal endoscopy laboratories were more often serologically positive than medical workers in other medical departments (58.3% versus 35.0%; p < 0.05).

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori.

Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori in the early 1980s many treatment regimes have been developed to effectively treat this infection. International guidelines have allowed consensus on the best management and improved eradication rates. In recent years, increasing antimicrobial resistance has resulted in falling eradication rates with standard therapies. In this article, we review the most recent studies and guidelines in the treatment of H. pylori. Currently, the first-line treatment remains clarithromycin, amoxicillin or metronidazole and proton pump inhibitor twice daily, but a number of recent studies have shown low eradication rates with this treatment. Increased duration of therapy has been recommended to overcome the falling eradication rates. However, conflicting findings have been reported on the benefits of extending the length of traditional therapy. Sequential therapy may be an effective alternative to standard triple therapy in regions of increased antimicrobial resistance. Probiotics reduce side-effects from traditional regimens and may improve eradication rates. A quinolone-based second-line triple therapy appears to be effective and well tolerated. Bismuth-based quadruple therapy is also an effective alternative if available. In the future, regional antimicrobial resistance and eradication rates will determine the best treatment for H. pylori.

A Phase II safety and effect on time to tumor progression study of intratumoral light infusion technology using talaporfin sodium in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Twenty-seven patients with refractory liver metastases from colorectal cancer took part in a Phase II study of the light infusion technology (Litx) light-activated drug/device system to assess safety and evaluate time to tumor progression (TTP). METHODS: Litx consists of the light-activated drug, talaporfin sodium (LS11), activated intratumorally by a catheter-like array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). After placement of the array via ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance, LS11 was administered intravenously, followed 15-60 min later by light infusion for 2.8 hr. Patients were assessed for adverse events and tumor response using physical examination, laboratory values, and CT scan evaluation over a period of 60 days. RESULTS: The observed occurrence of Litx treatment-related adverse events was minimal and cumulative toxicity did not occur when combined with chemotherapy. Assessment of TTP and tumor response rate, although statistically non-robust, suggest potential improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The Litx system was shown to be safe for treating liver metastases from colorectal cancer and there was no cumulative toxicity when combined with standard systemic therapy. Preliminary assessments of TTP and tumor response rate justify further evaluation in a Phase III follow-up study.

[Hemostasis and treatment of stress hemorrhage in the upper gastrointestinal tract of trauma patients]. / Blutstillung und Behandlung von Stressblutungen im oberen gastrointestinalen Trakt bei Verwundeten.

Despite the use of H2-receptor antagonists for the prevention of stress lesions, 32 (9%) of the 354 wounded treated at the surgical intensive care units presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. 28 (87.5%) patients underwent endoscopic examination. The types of hemorrhage (capillary, venous and arterial bleeding) and the efficacy of hemostasis were analyzed. The bleeding ceased spontaneously in 17 (53.1%) patients, and 3 (9.4%) died in spite of all the endoscopic and surgical procedures undertaken.

Monoclonality in Helicobacter pylori-positive gastric biopsies: an early detection of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is not present in healthy gastric mucosa, but it can develop in sites of long-persisting inflammation and is connected with the development of MALT lymphoma. A monoclonal lymphocyte population is one of the characteristics of such lymphomas. In this study we analyzed gastric biopsies (formalin fixed and paraffin embedded or frozen) in 93 patients with dyspepsia accompanied by Helicobacter pylori infection. We applied PCR and single-cell immunocytochemistry to detect the clonality of the gastric B-cell population. Immunocytochemistry performed on 33 frozen biopsies showed two samples with monoclonal pattern. PCR analysis of immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) gene rearrangements revealed two monoclonal populations out of 161 biopsies from 60 patients. We conclude that PCR analysis was the most sensitive method, which gave us insight into the nature of the earliest stage of MALT lymphoma in gastric biopsies.

Helicobacter pylori: in vitro induction of resistance to azithromycin.

Helicobacter pylori resistance to macrolides is possibly an important factor for the failure of macrolide therapy for H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to assess the propensity of H. pylori to develop in vitro resistance to azithromycin. In 73 clinical isolates taken from patients before starting antimicrobial therapy of H. pylori infection, MIC was determined using an agar dilution method (Müller-Hinton agar with 7.5% unlysed horse blood, pH = 7.2, at 35 degrees C, during 72 h in a humid microaerobic atmosphere). Each strain was first cultivated at half minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) then in doubling concentrations until growth arrest. All experiments for induction of resistance were performed on the same media, incubation temperature, atmosphere and time of MIC determination. MIC interpretative standards for sensitivity, intermediate sensitivity and resistance of H. pylori to azithromycin were < or = 2, 4 and > or = 8 mg/l, respectively. Of 73 strains, 5 died during the experiments, and in the remaining 68 strains, serial passage with increasing azithromycin concentrations resulted in the development of resistance in 19 (26.9%) strains. Two strains had an MIC of 16 mg/l azithromycin. Thirty-three (48.5%) strains kept the same MIC or doubled their MIC, 16 (23.5%) strains had 4- to 16-fold MIC but still remained sensitive, 2 resistant strains had 128-fold MICs and 17 resistant strains had increased their MICs more than 128 times. Seventeen highly resistant strains (MIC > 128 mg/l) were kept frozen at -70 degrees C for 3 months in a brain-heart infusion broth with 15% glycerol. MIC was assessed again to determine the stability of resistance. Eleven strains kept MICs > 128 mg/l, 2 became sensitive and 1 intermediate, but reverted easily, after only 2 passages, to an MIC of > 128 mg/l azithromycin. Although macrolides are very active against H. pylori, the propensity to develop resistance in a high proportion of strains has a clear impact on the choice of the right combinations of macrolides with other agents as well as the dosage of the macrolide antibiotics.