Evaluation of antibiotic use to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and cholangitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prophylactic antibiotic use and complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively evaluated 605 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP in our hospital between September 2009 and November 2011. The antibiotic group included patients who underwent their procedure before October 2010, while the control group included patients after October 1, 2010, who did not receive antibiotics. We compared the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis and cholangitis between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the backgrounds of the 304 control and the 301 antibiotic-treated patients. The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis was 4.9% in the control group and 4.3% in the antibiotic group (p = 0.72). The incidence of postoperative cholangitis was 2.0% in the control group and 1.7% in the antibiotic group (p = 0.99). Choledocholithiasis, pancreatic duct injection, and female gender were detected as significant risk factors for postoperative pancreatitis by multivariate analysis; sclerosing cholangitis and incomplete biliary drainage were significant risk factors for postoperative cholangitis. Even in cases with these risk factors, prophylactic antibiotic use did not influence the incidence of pancreatitis or cholangitis. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic antibiotics do not reduce the incidence of either pancreatitis or cholangitis following ERCP.

Timing of radiological improvement after steroid therapy in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively studied the timing of radiological improvement after steroid therapy in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with AIP (n = 31) received steroids followed by diagnostic imaging within 1 month. Pancreatic swelling, pancreatic and bile duct features, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were compared before and after treatment. The period from treatment initiation to evaluation was divided into five phases: early phase (days 3-5), week 1 (days 6 and 7), week 2 (days 8-14), week 3 (days 15-21), and week 4 (days 22-28). Five gastroenterologists evaluated pancreatic swelling and duct features (good/intermediate/no response), and the "good response" rate (response rate) was calculated for each phase. In addition, pancreatic volumes were measured with a 3D workstation before and after treatment, and the percentage change in volume was calculated. ADC values were calculated in 14 patients. RESULTS: The median ratio of pancreatic volume after relative to before treatment was 0.89, 0.79, 0.67, 0.59, and 0.47 for early phase, week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4, respectively. The response rate of the pancreatic swelling was 37.5%, 57.1%, 83.3%, 100%, and 100%; response rate of the pancreatic duct was 0%, 20%, 75%, 75% and 100%; and response rate of the bile duct was 0%, 66.7%, 83.3%, 100%, and 80%. The ADC increased after treatment in all 14 patients, including the 7 patients evaluated in the early phase. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of pancreatic swelling and duct features is recommended in week 2 and thereafter. The ADC increased soon after treatment initiation, suggesting its usefulness for evaluating early treatment responses.

Ultradeep sequencing study of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in patients treated with daclatasvir, peginterferon, and ribavirin.

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are either part of the current standard of care or are in advanced clinical development for the treatment of patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, but concern exists with respect to the patients who fail these regimens with emergent drug-resistant variants. In the present study, ultradeep sequencing was performed to analyze resistance to daclatasvir (DCV), which is a highly selective nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor. Eight patients with HCV genotype 1b, who were either treatment naive or prior nonresponders to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (Rebetol; Schering-Plough) (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy, were treated with DCV combined with PEG-IFN alpha-2b (Pegintron; Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) and RBV. To identify the cause of viral breakthrough, the preexistence and emergence of DCV-resistant variants at NS5A amino acids were analyzed by ultradeep sequencing. Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 6 of 8 patients (75%), with viral breakthrough occurring in the other 2 patients (25%). DCV-resistant variant Y93H preexisted as a minor population at higher frequencies (0.1% to 0.5%) in patients who achieved SVR. In patients with viral breakthrough, DCV-resistant variant mixtures emerged at NS5A-31 over time that persisted posttreatment with Y93H. Although enrichment of DCV-resistant variants was detected, the preexistence of a minor population of the variant did not appear to be associated with virologic response in patients treated with DCV/PEG-IFN/RBV. Ultradeep sequencing results shed light on the complexity of DCV-resistant quasispecies emerging over time, suggesting that multiple resistance pathways are possible within a patient who does not rapidly respond to a DCV-containing regimen. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01016912.).

Comparative study of 4 Fr versus 6 Fr nasobiliary drainage catheters: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite the benefits of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (NBD) in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and nose/throat discomfort can result. We aimed to determine whether the use of a smaller catheter alleviates these complications. METHOD: A randomized, controlled trial at a tertiary care center compared 4 Fr and 6 Fr NBD catheters; 165 ERCP patients with naïve papillae were randomly assigned to a catheter-size group. RESULTS: The prevalence of PEP was significantly lower in the 4 Fr group (3.7%; 3/82) than in the 6 Fr group (15.7%; 13/83; P = 0.019). No spontaneous catheter displacement occurred within 24 h. Discomfort visual analog scores were 2.6 and 4.3 in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups, respectively (P = 0.0048) on procedure day; on the following day, the scores were 2.3 and 3.6 (P = 0.028). Bile output was 16.3 mL/h and 21.4 mL/h in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups (P = 0.051). On obstructive jaundice subgroup analysis, bile drainage was 19.2 mL/h and 22.1 mL/h in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups (P = 0.40). The 4 Fr group required 5.6 days to reduce bilirubin levels versus 6.1 days in the 6 Fr group (P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with naïve papillae, lower rates of PEP and less nose/throat discomfort are associated with the use of 4 Fr NBD catheters. In patients with obstructive jaundice, 4 Fr and 6 Fr catheters are comparable with regard to bile output and bilirubin level reduction.

Characteristic Features of Cholangiocarcinoma Complicating Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is often complicated by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA); thus, early detection of CCA is an important way to improve PSC prognosis. METHODOLOGY: In a retrospective study, 23 cases of PSC were included. Seven cases were complicated by CCA (CCA group) and 16 cases were not (control group). Blood examinations, bile duct imagings from direct cholangiography, intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) findings and pathological diagnosis results (bile juice cytology, brush cytology, and forceps biopsy) were referenced. RESULTS: Blood examinations showed that serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), total bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher in the CCA group, whereas cholangiography showed that the dominant stricture was significantly longer in the CCA group. No significant difference in the IDUS findings was observed between the 2 groups. Cholangioscopy enabled CCA diagnosis via identification of the papillary mucosa in sites other than the stricture. Forceps biopsy was the most useful pathological diagnostic technique, with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The CA19-9 level and bile duct stricture morphology were useful for diagnosing CCA complicating PSC. Aggressive performance of cholangioscopy and pathological diagnostic techniques, such as brush cytology and forceps biopsy, are essential for identification.

A novel TK-NOG based humanized mouse model for the study of HBV and HCV infections.

The immunodeficient mice transplanted with human hepatocytes are available for the study of the human hepatitis viruses. Recently, human hepatocytes were also successfully transplanted in herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (TK)-NOG mice. In this study, we attempted to infect hepatitis virus in humanized TK-NOG mice and urokinase-type plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficiency (uPA-SCID) mice. TK-NOG mice were injected intraperitoneally with 6 mg/kg of ganciclovir (GCV), and transplanted with human hepatocytes. Humanized TK-NOG mice and uPA/SCID mice were injected with hepatitis B virus (HBV)- or hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive human serum samples. Human hepatocyte repopulation index (RI) estimated from human serum albumin levels in TK-NOG mice correlated well with pre-transplantation serum ALT levels induced by ganciclovir treatment. All humanized TK-NOG and uPA-SCID mice injected with HBV infected serum developed viremia irrespective of lower replacement index. In contrast, establishment of HCV viremia was significantly more frequent in TK-NOG mice with low human hepatocyte RI (<70%) than uPA-SCID mice with similar RI. Frequency of mice spontaneously in early stage of viral infection experiment (8weeks after injection) was similar in both TK-NOG mice and uPA-SCID mice. Effects of drug treatment with entecavir or interferon were similar in both mouse models. TK-NOG mice thus useful for study of hepatitis virus virology and evaluation of anti-viral drugs.

Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in primary sclerosing cholangitis: ιmplications for cholangiocarcinogenesis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) occurs frequently in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) induced by inflammation are believed to mediate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production thereby promoting carcinogenesis. Their expression in PSC-associated CCA tissues and non-neoplastic bile duct epithelial cells (BDECs) in PSC was investigated. COX-2 and mPGES-1 levels in 15 PSC patients (7 with CCA) were scored using immunohistochemical staining. The results were compared with those obtained in CCA tissues and non-neoplastic BDECs (controls) of 15 sporadic CCA patients. Non-neoplastic BDECs from large and small bile ducts were investigated separately. The mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in CCA tissues were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Ki-67 immunostaining was performed to evaluate cell proliferation. COX-2 was strongly expressed in PSC-associated CCA tissues and non-neoplastic BDECs in PSC. This expression was significantly upregulated in both compared with sporadic CCA tissues and non-neoplastic BDECs in sporadic CCA (both P<0.01). mPGES-1 was expressed at moderate to strong levels in PSC. Compared with controls, the expression was significantly higher in non-neoplastic small BDECs (P<0.01). COX-2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in PSC-associated tissues than in sporadic CCA tissues (P<0.01). Conversely, no differences were observed in mPGES-1 mRNA levels. Ki-67 labeling indices were higher in PSC-associated CCA tissues and non-neoplastic BDECs in PSC than in controls. In conclusion, COX-2 and mPGES-1 were highly expressed in PSC-associated CCA tissues and non-neoplastic BDECs in PSC, suggesting the involvement of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in cholangiocarcinogenesis.

Combination therapies with NS5A, NS3 and NS5B inhibitors on different genotypes of hepatitis C virus in human hepatocyte chimeric mice.

OBJECTIVE: We recently demonstrated that combination treatment with NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase inhibitors succeeded in eradicating the virus in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of combining an NS5A replication complex inhibitor (RCI) with either NS3 protease or NS5B inhibitors on elimination of HCV genotypes 1b, 2a and 2b. DESIGN: The effects of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)-605339 (NS3 protease inhibitor; PI), BMS-788329 (NS5A RCI) and BMS-821095 (NS5B non-nucleoside analogue inhibitor) on HCV genotypes 1b and 2a were examined using subgenomic HCV replicon cells. HCV genotype 1b, 2a or 2b-infected human hepatocyte chimeric mice were also treated with BMS-605339, BMS-788329 or BMS-821095 alone or in combination with two of the drugs for 4 weeks. Genotypic analysis of viral sequences was achieved by direct and ultra-deep sequencing. RESULTS: Anti-HCV effects of BMS-605339 and BMS-821095 were more potent against genotype 1b than against genotype 2a. In in-vivo experiments, viral breakthrough due to the development of a high prevalence of drug-resistant variants was observed in mice treated with BMS-605339, BMS-788329 and BMS-821095 in monotherapy. In contrast to monotherapy, 4 weeks of combination therapy with the NS5A RCI and either NS3 PI or NS5B inhibitor succeeded in completely eradicating the virus in genotype 1b HCV-infected mice. Conversely, these combination therapies failed to eradicate the virus in mice infected with HCV genotypes 2a or 2b. CONCLUSIONS: These oral combination therapies may serve as a Peg-alfa-free treatment for patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1b.

[Malignant phyllodes tumor metastatic to the pancreas: a case report].

A woman in her 50s was admitted with obstructive jaundice due to a pancreatic mass. She had a history of a right breast phyllodes tumor treated with mastectomy 3 years previously. Diagnostic imaging (endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), CT, and MRI) demonstrated a well-demarcated mass in the pancreatic head. EUS-FNA showed spindle shaped tumor cells. The pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen showed a malignant spindle cell tumor consistent with a metastatic malignant phyllodes tumor. In addition, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the staining pattern of pancreatic tumor was similar to that of the breast phyllodes tumor. Pancreatic metastases from breast phyllodes tumors have rarely been reported in the literature.

Statins induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Given the poor prognosis for cholangiocarcinoma, new and effective treatments are urgently needed. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reportedly exert anticancer effects in a variety of diseases, but there have been no reports of these effects in cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated the utility of statins for cholangiocarcinoma treatment. Proliferation suppression by pitavastatin and atorvastatin was investigated in the human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines HuCCT1 and YSCCC while changes in the cell cycle and intracellular signals were examined by FACS and Western blotting, respectively. Additive proliferation suppression by statins and pre-existing anticancer drugs was also investigated. HuCCT1 and YSCCC cell proliferation was dramatically suppressed by incubation with statins for 72 h or longer. Cell cycle analysis revealed a reduction in the G2M fraction and an increase in the sub-G1 fraction in statin-treated cells, while Western blotting showed increased levels of cleaved caspase-3 and a reduction in p-ERK. Furthermore, statins in combination with gemcitabine, cisplatin and 5-FU showed additive proliferation suppression. In this study, treatment of human cholangiocarcinoma cells with statins induced apoptosis via suppression of the classical MAPK pathway. Together, these results suggest that statins may be a new cholangiocarcinoma treatment option that could potentially enhance the anticancer effect of pre-existing anticancer drugs.

A Case of Abdominal Abscess in Crohn's Disease: Successful Endoscopic Demonstration of an Obscure Enteric Fistula by Dye Injection via a Percutaneous Drainage Catheter.

Abdominal and pelvic abscesses occur in approximately 10-30% of Crohn's disease patients during the course of the disease; most of these abscesses have an enteric communication. For this condition, percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) rather than emergency surgery has recently been recognized as a valuable procedure for initial treatment. However, in cases wherein the abscess is accompanied by an enteric fistula, the recurrence of abscess might be inevitable without the management of the enteric fistula. Therefore, demonstration and evaluation of the enteric fistula is essential to prevent abscess recurrence; however, this is not necessarily a simple procedure. Here, we report abdominal abscess accompanied by a rectal fistula in a patient with Crohn's disease; this condition was successfully treated by PAD. Furthermore, PAD was also useful in identifying the fistula by colonoscopy involving dye injection via the drainage catheter. To our knowledge, no previous literature has reported the use of dye injection via the drainage catheter for identifying a fistula during endoscopic examination. We present here the radiographic, sonographic, and endoscopic findings of this case.

Phospholipase D-dependent and -independent p38MAPK activation pathways are required for superoxide production and chemotactic induction, respectively, in rat neutrophils stimulated by fMLP.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated signal transduction pathways convert signals by extracellular stimulation into a variety of cellular functions. However, the roles of MAPKs in neutrophils are not well understood. To elucidate the temporal roles of p38MAPK during rat neutrophil activation stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), we examined the kinetics of this enzyme and the role of p38MAPK related to neutrophil functions (superoxide production and chemotaxis). SB203580, a potent and specific inhibitor of p38MAPK, significantly depressed both superoxide production and chemotaxis. Ethanol and 1-butanol, inhibitors of phospholipase D (PLD), suppressed p38MAPK activation in neutrophils under conditions (1 microM fMLP for 5 min) that stimulated superoxide production; and they significantly depressed superoxide production in rat neutrophils stimulated by fMLP. However, neither inhibitor had any effect on the activation of p38MAPK under the conditions (10 nM fMLP for 60 min) that gave optimal chemotaxis. These results indicate that multiple signaling pathways were involved in stimulating p38MAPK and that p38MAPK played different roles in regulating neutrophil function depending on the conditions for stimulation with fMLP. In addition, the activation of p38MAPK occurred dependent on or independent of PLD activation in neutrophils stimulated with fMLP.