Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated with Immunosuppressive Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has evolved significantly, and treatment with immunomodulators is recommended. These medications may alter the patient's immune response and increase the risk of opportunistic infections. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of acute or chronic HEV infection in IBD patients under immunomodulatory treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational study between 2017 and 2018. IBD outpatients hospitalized for the infusion of immunomodulators were included in 16 French centers. During their daily hospitalization, blood samples were drawn for HEV serology (IgM and IgG) and HEV RNA detection. RESULTS: A total of 488 patients were included, of which 327 (67%) patients had Crohn's disease and 161 (33%) ulcerative colitis. HEV IgM was detected in 3 patients, but HEV RNA was undetectable in all patients. The HEV IgG seroprevalence rate was 14.2%. IgG-positive patients were older at sampling (p = 0.01) and IBD diagnosis (p = 0.03), had higher seafood consumption (p = 0.01) and higher doses of azathioprine (p = 0.03). Ileal and upper digestive tract involvement was more frequent in IgG-positive patients (p = 0.009), and ileocolic involvement was more frequent in IgG-negative patients (p = 0.01). Under multivariate analysis, age > 50 years [OR: 2.21 (1.26, to 3.85), p = 0.004] was associated with previous HEV infection. CONCLUSION: Systematic screening for HEV infection is not needed among IBD patients on immunomodulatory medications. However, in the event of abnormal liver test findings, HEV should be part of the classic diagnostic assessment.

Outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding are similar between direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists.

BACKGROUND: The increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) related to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remains debated. AIMS: To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of UGIB in patients treated with oral anticoagulants. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre study in French general hospitals enrolled all consecutive patients with UGIB during one year. Patients treated with oral anticoagulants were retrieved from the cohort. Main outcomes were mortality and rebleeding during the first 6 weeks and need for non-endoscopic treatment (surgery or interventional radiology). RESULTS: Among the 2498 patients included, 475 (19%) had an oral anticoagulant, mostly with VKA (267 patients [56.2%]). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except for renal failure and cirrhosis that were more prevalent in the VKA group. Gastroscopy was normal in 73 patients (15.3%); peptic lesions were the main cause of UGIB (n = 233, 49%). Endoscopic treatment was performed in 128 patients (26.9%), leading to bleeding resolution in 74% (n = 95). Mortality rate at 6 weeks was 12.4% (59 patients), and was higher in the VKA group compared to DOACs (16.1% vs 7.8%, P < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, only the Charlson index ≥ 5 and UGIB occurrring in in-patients were independently associated with mortality. Rebleeding (56 patients [11.8%]) and need for non-endoscopic treatment (18 patients [3.8%]) were not associated with the type of anticoagulant. CONCLUSION: DOACs do not alter outcomes of UGIB as compared to VKA. Comorbidities and associated treatment are the most important factors worsening the prognosis of UGIB.

Increased incidence of Campylobacter enteritis and their quinolone resistance between 2010 and 2015: Results of a French national observatory conducted in 21 general hospitals (CHG).

INTRODUCTION: In Europe, the number of cases of Campylobacter enteritis and their quinolone resistance is increasing. The aims of this work were to evaluate: (1) the hospital epidemiology of bacterial enteritis between 2010 and 2015. (2) The proportion of Campylobacter and Salmonella enteritis. (3) Resistance to quinolones in adult and paediatric populations. (4) To investigate possible regional epidemiological and bacteriological disparities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicentric study carried out in 21 general hospitals (CHG) representing 14 French regions with a prospective collection of the results of coprocultures from 2010 to 2015 in adult and paediatric populations (children < 15 years old not exposed to quinolones). The epidemiological and bacteriological data were collected from software laboratory for positive stool cultures for Campylobacter and Salmonella. The results were compared year by year and by a period of 2 years. RESULTS: In adults, Campylobacter enteritis was each year significantly more frequent than Salmonella (P < 0.001), with a significant increase from 2010 to 2015 (P < 0.05). In children, there was also a significant and stable predominance of Campylobacter enteritis over the study period (P = 0.002). The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter was greater than 50% on the whole territory, with no North-South difference over the three periods studied. It increased significantly from 2012 to 2015 in adults (48% to 55%, P < 0.05) and in children (54% to 61%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the increase in the prevalence of Campylobacter enteritis compared to Salmonella between 2010 and 2015. The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter is greater than 50% on the whole territory, stable between 2010 and 2015 in adults and significantly increased in children.

Middle-term mortality and re-bleeding after initial diverticular bleeding: A nationwide study of 365 mostly elderly French patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the mortality and re-bleeding rates, and the risk factors involved, in a cohort of patients with previous diverticular bleeding (DB). METHODS: In 2007, data on 2462 patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding were collected prospectively at several French hospitals. We studied the follow-up of patients with DB retrospectively. The following data were collected: age, mortality rates and re-bleeding rates, drug intake, surgery and comorbidities. RESULTS: Data on 365 patients, including 181 women (mean age 83.6 ± 9.8 years) were available. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years (IQR 25-75: 1.7-5.4). Of these, 148 patients died (40.5%). Among the 70 patients (19.2%) who had at least one re-bleeding episode, nine died and three underwent surgical procedures. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy was discontinued in 70 cases (19.2%). The independent risk factors contributing to mortality were age > 80 years (HR = 3.18 (2.1-4.9); p < 0.001) and a Charlson comorbidity score > 2 (1.91 (1.31-2.79); p = 0.003). Discontinuation of therapy was not significantly associated with a risk of death due to cardiovascular events. No risk factors responsible for re-bleeding were identified, such as antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in particular. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the rates of mortality and DB re-bleeding after a median follow-up time of 3.9 years were 19.2% and 40.5%, respectively. The majority of the deaths recorded were not due to re-bleeding.

Over 90% of cases of Microscopic Colitis can be diagnosed by performing a short colonoscopy.

AIMS: To determinate the topographical distribution of key diagnostic histological features of lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC) and to establish what correlations may exist between the histological findings and the causes and severity of MC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MC were included in a prospective multicentre French study from September 2010 to October 2012. MC was diagnosed by performing total colonoscopy with multiple biopsies of the rectum and colon collected in separate jars and analyzed separately for each site (descending and sigmoid colon, transverse colon, ascending colon). CC was defined as a subepithelial collagen layer>10µm thick and LC as an intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) count>20 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells without any associated thickening of the subepithelial collagen. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients, 69 with LC 26 and with CC, were included in the analysis. The sensitivity of the biopsies for diagnosing MC was maximum in the transverse colon and minimum in the rectum. Rectal and left colonic biopsies resulted in the diagnosis of CC and CL in 93% and 94% of cases, respectively. All the remaining cases of MC were diagnosed by performing additional biopsies beyond the splenic flexure. In patients with LC, a higher rate of IELs was associated with the absence of abdominal pain (P=0.01) and a shorter duration of diarrhea (P=0.001). In patients with CC, a lower level of collagen thickness in the basement membrane was associated with the presence of an autoimmune disease (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: More than 90% of cases of microscopic colitis were diagnosed in this study by performing rectal and left colonic biopsies.

Prognostic indices for Budd-Chiari syndrome: valid for clinical studies but insufficient for individual management.

OBJECTIVES: Several prognostic indices (PIs) have been proposed for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). However, patient characteristics, causal factors, and treatment outcomes have changed since these indices have been elaborated. Validation in a recent patient population and comparison of predictive accuracy between these PIs are needed. METHODS: A database of 96 BCS patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 was analyzed. Cox survival models were fitted with time to liver transplantation or death, and time to invasive therapy or death, as end points. The prognostic values of known indices (Child-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), Clichy, Rotterdam BCS index, New Clichy, and BCS-TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)) at diagnosis were assessed in Cox models using the chi-square test, the Kent and O'Quigley measure of dependence, and unrestricted bootstrapping analysis. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were built for both end points and compared. RESULTS: All prognostic indices, except BCS-TIPS, were significant predictors of transplant-free and invasive therapy-free survival. However, only 31 and 37% of the variance in transplant-free and invasive therapy-free survival, respectively, were explained by the best performing indices. For transplant-free survival, AUROCs were < 0.70. For invasive therapy-free survival, AUROCs were < 0.80. For both end points, BCS-TIPS PI AUROCs were significantly lower than others. CONCLUSIONS: Most PIs are valid for transplant-free survival and invasive therapy-free survival in a population of current BCS patients, and thus can be used for stratification in clinical studies. However, predictive accuracy is insufficient to be used for individual patients.

Management practices for gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients: evaluation of the impact of the Paris consensus workshop.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this before-after observational survey was to evaluate compliance with good clinical practice guidelines for gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension and the impact of the French Consensus Workshop held in Paris in 2003. METHODS: Data were recorded concerning episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurring in cirrhotic patients using a survey questionnaire in 2003 before the workshop and again in 2004. RESULTS: Seventy-six index episodes were included in 2003 and 84 in 2004 in patients attending French hospitals. Before hospital admission, primary prophylaxis was similar in 2003 and 2004, but beta blockers were used alone more often in 2004 for secondary prophylaxis (42% vs 19%, P=0.018). The time from onset of bleeding to hospital admission was greater than 12 hours for 43 and 42% of patients and was not shorter in the event of recurrent hemorrhage. At admission, vasoactive drugs were given earlier in 2004 (<2h: 68% vs 35%, P<0.001). Use of antibiotic prophylaxis was similar in 2003 and 2004 (70% vs 61%, P=0.098), and was more common for Child-Pugh B or C patients (P=0.044). CONCLUSION: The Paris Consensus Workshop enabled improved clinical practices. Weak points were insufficient screening for cirrhosis, long delay before admission, insufficient use of antibiotic prophylaxis which should be systematic.