Liver transplantation in acute liver failure due to Hepatitis B. Two clinical cases.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related acute liver failure (ALF) is uncommon in our region, and there is limited HBV literature regarding the optimal management of these cases. In this article, we report two clinical cases of young men who have sex with men (MSM), both developed severe acute hepatitis caused by HBV, progressed to ALF and afterward required liver transplantation. Antiviral post-transplant treatment included entecavir without Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG), and immunosuppression therapy with steroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. Serologic follow-up showed early Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion, undetectable HBV viral load, and positive Anti-HBs titers. During later follow-up, Anti-HBs titers gradually fell (<10mUI/L after six months), with normal liver function. DISCUSSION: In cases of HBV-related ALF, the liver develops a robust immune response, leading to, an early undetectable viral load and seroconversion, with loss of HBsAg, and the appearance of Anti-HBs as a result of the inflammatory response. The management varies depending on whether this is a de novo acute infection or a reactivation of a previous chronic infection. In both cases, the use of antiviral therapy is recommended, with entecavir or tenofovir, among others, but the use of specific HBIG is supported only in ALF related to chronic HBV infection. The optimal length of the antiviral therapy after liver transplantation is still under discussion. CONCLUSION: These cases of HBV related ALF with an early HBsAg seroconversion demonstrates the relevance of requesting IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM) for the etiological study of ALF with negative HBsAg. Usage of HBIG does not seem essential during the post-transplantation period in these cases.

[Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease]. / Biomarcadores en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: ¿sabe cómo utilizarlos?

Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease are an essential tool in clinical practice. They allow a non-invasive evaluation of patients and thus guide decision-making at different stages of the disease, including diagnostic suspicion, severity assessment, relapse prediction, and treatment response. Although biomarkers in blood such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, are the most commonly used biomarkers, because their low cost and accessibility, they lack specificity. Currently, fecal biomarkers offer greater reliability, applicability, and specificity. Fecal calprotectin is the most commonly used marker. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease, as well as their clinical applications and new biomarkers currently under research.

DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO POUCHITIS IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE.

In patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy, total proctocolectomy and posterior ileal-anal pouch anastomosis is the standard surgical therapy. One of the possible complications is pouchitis. Depending on the duration of the symptoms, it can be classified as acute, recurrent, or chronic. The latter, according to the response to therapy, can be defined as antibiotic-dependent or refractory. The treatment of pouchitis is based on the use of antibiotics and probiotics. Thiopurine and biological therapy have been suggested in patients with refractory pouchitis. Special care should be taken in the endoscopic surveillance of these patients, especially if they present risk factors such as dysplasia or previous colorectal cancer, primary sclerosing cholangitis or ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years.

Biomarcadores en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: ¿sabe cómo utilizarlos? / Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease

Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease are an essential tool in clinical practice. They allow a non-invasive evaluation of patients and thus guide decision-making at different stages of the disease, including diagnostic suspicion, severity assessment, relapse prediction, and treatment response. Although biomarkers in blood such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, are the most commonly used biomarkers, because their low cost and accessibility, they lack specificity. Currently, fecal biomarkers offer greater reliability, applicability, and specificity. Fecal calprotectin is the most commonly used marker. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease, as well as their clinical applications and new biomarkers currently under research.

Abordagem diagnóstica e de manuseio da pouchite em doença inflamatória intestinal / Diagnostic and management approach to pouchitis in inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT In patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy, total proctocolectomy and posterior ileal-anal pouch anastomosis is the standard surgical therapy. One of the possible complications is pouchitis. Depending on the duration of the symptoms, it can be classified as acute, recurrent, or chronic. The latter, according to the response to therapy, can be defined as antibiotic-dependent or refractory. The treatment of pouchitis is based on the use of antibiotics and probiotics. Thiopurine and biological therapy have been suggested in patients with refractory pouchitis. Special care should be taken in the endoscopic surveillance of these patients, especially if they present risk factors such as dysplasia or previous colorectal cancer, primary sclerosing cholangitis or ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years.

RESUMO Em pacientes com colite ulcerativa refratária à terapia médica, a proctocolectomia total e anastomose de bolsa ileal-anal posterior é a terapia cirúrgica padrão. Uma das possíveis complicações é a pouchite. Dependendo da duração dos sintomas, pode ser classificado como aguda, recorrente ou crônica. Esta última, de acordo com a resposta à terapia, pode ser definida como dependente de antibióticos ou refratária a eles. O tratamento da pouchite baseia-se no uso de antibióticos e probióticos. A thiopurina e a terapia biológica têm sido sugeridas em pacientes com pouchite refratária. Um cuidado especial deve ser tomado na vigilância endoscópica desses pacientes, especialmente se apresentarem fatores de risco, como displasia ou câncer colorretal anterior, colangite esclerosante primária ou colite ulcerativa por mais de 10 anos.

[Transplantation of fecal matter in octogenarian patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection]. / Trasplante de materia fecal en pacientes octogenarios con infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile.

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection has become a major health problem due to the increase in its incidence, severity, and recurrence. In this last scenario, age over 65 has been associated with a more unfavorable evolution. Risk factors such as the presence of altered immunity, comorbidities, malnutrition, polypharmacy, and changes in the intestinal microbiota would explain this higher risk in this group of patients. On the other hand, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective strategy in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection when standard therapy fails. Recently published guidelines suggest that this strategy can be used from the second recurrence. However, few studies have evaluated the results of the FMT in patients over 65 years old, and for our knowledge, there is limited national experience in this group of patients. We present two cases of TMF in octogenarian patients with a recurrent infection due to Clostridioides difficile, with satisfactory recovery at the long term.

An approach to acute severe ulcerative colitis.

Introduction: Despite the introduction of novel therapies and treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis (UC), many patients develop acute, severe episodes, warranting prompt care and aggressive management. There is a significant unmet need to improve outcomes in these patients. Clinicians must be able to identify those that will have worse prognosis and plan an aggressive therapy with an early/proactive adjustments in management if needed.Areas covered: The aim of this review is to evaluate the most recent evidence on the assessment and management of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis. We searched the mainstream literature search engines for the most recent evidence on diagnosis and management of acute UC.Expert Opinion: The approach to patients with severe UC includes clinical and endoscopic assessment of disease severity and ruling out over-infections. While intravenous corticosteroids remain the first line therapy for acute severe colitis, many patients do not respond and require escalation to calcineurin inhibitors or infliximab, and may ultimately require colectomy. Even though several novel therapies are available or in development, their role in acute severe episodes of colitis is unknown.

Trasplante de materia fecal en pacientes octogenarios con infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile / Transplantation of fecal matter in octogenarian patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection

Resumen La infección por Clostridioides (previamente Clostridium) difficile se ha convertido en un problema de salud importante debido al aumento en su incidencia, gravedad y recurrencia. En este último escenario, una edad mayor de 65 años ha sido asociada a una evolución más desfavorable. Factores de riesgo como la presencia de una inmunidad alterada, co-morbilidades, malnutrición, polifarmacia y cambios en la microbiota intestinal explicarían este mayor riesgo a mayor edad. El trasplante de microbiota fecal (TMF) es una estrategia efectiva en el tratamiento de la infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile cuando la terapia estándar fracasa. Guías publicadas recientemente sugieren que esta estrategia puede ser utilizada a partir de la segunda recurrencia. Sin embargo, escasos estudios han evaluado los resultados del TMF en pacientes mayores de 65 años y para nuestro conocimiento existe una escasa experiencia nacional en este grupo de pacientes. Presentamos dos casos de TMF en pacientes octogenarios con una infección recurrente por Clostridioides difficile, con una evolución satisfactoria a largo plazo.

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection has become a major health problem due to the increase in its incidence, severity, and recurrence. In this last scenario, age over 65 has been associated with a more unfavorable evolution. Risk factors such as the presence of altered immunity, comorbidities, malnutrition, polypharmacy, and changes in the intestinal microbiota would explain this higher risk in this group of patients. On the other hand, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective strategy in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection when standard therapy fails. Recently published guidelines suggest that this strategy can be used from the second recurrence. However, few studies have evaluated the results of the FMT in patients over 65 years old, and for our knowledge, there is limited national experience in this group of patients. We present two cases of TMF in octogenarian patients with a recurrent infection due to Clostridioides difficile, with satisfactory recovery at the long term.

[Infections by Listeria monocytogenes]. / Infecciones por Listeria monocytogenes, una experiencia de dos décadas: A two decade experience.

BACKGROUND: Listeria monocytogenes infections have been poorly characterized in Chile. AIM: To evaluate clinical manifestations and risk factors associated to a fatal outcome in a series of patients. METHODS: retrospective analysis of cases from 1991 to 2012. RESULTS: Twenty three cases were identified, including 2 diagnosed after prolonged hospitalization (8.7%) with an average age of 68.4 years (range 44-90). Known predisposing factors were age > 65 years (60.9%), diabetes mellitus (40.9%), and immunosuppression (27.3%). Most cases presented after 2003 (70%). No cases associated with neonates, pregnancy or HIV infections were recorded. Patients presented with central nervous system (CNS) infection (39%), including 8 cases of meningitis and one of rhomboencephalitis; bacteremia (43.5%), including one case with endocarditis; abscesses (8.7%); and other infections (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia; 8.7%). Risky food consumption was found in 80% of those asked about it. Predominant clinical manifestations were fever (90.9%), and confusion (63.6%). CNS infections were associated to headache (OR 21, p < 0.05), nausea and vomiting (OR 50, p < 0.01). Only 45.5% received initial appropriate empirical therapy and 36.4% a synergistic combination. Eight patients died (34.8%), this outcome was associated to bacteremia (OR 8.25; IC95 1.2-59 p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L. monocytogenes infections appear to be increasing in Chile, causing infections in different sites, attacking vulnerable patients, and have a high case-fatality ratio, especially among those with bacteremia.

Infecciones por Listeria monocytogenes, una experiencia de dos décadas: A two decade experience / Infections by Listeria monocytogenes

Background: Listeria monocytogenes infections have been poorly characterized in Chile. ^4im: To evaluate clinical manifestations and risk factors associated to a fatal outcome in a series of patients. Methods: retrospective analysis of cases from 1991 to 2012. Results: Twenty three cases were identified, including 2 diagnosed after prolonged hospitalization (8.7%) with an average age of 68.4 years (range 44-90). Known predisposing factors were age > 65 years (60.9%), diabetes mellitus (40.9%), and immunosuppression (27.3%). Most cases presented after 2003 (70%). No cases associated with neonates, pregnancy or HIV infections were recorded. Patients presented with central nervous system (CNS) infection (39%), including 8 cases of meningitis and one of rhomboencephalitis; bacteremia (43.5%), including one case with endocarditis; abscesses (8.7%); and other infections (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia; 8.7%). Risky food consumption was found in 80% of those asked about it. Predominant clinical manifestations were fever (90.9%), and confusion (63.6%). CNS infections were associated to headache (OR 21, p < 0.05), nausea and vomiting (OR 50, p < 0.01). Only 45.5% received initial appropriate empirical therapy and 36.4% a synergistic combination. Eight patients died (34.8%), this outcome was associated to bacteremia (OR 8.25; IC95 1.2-59 p < 0.05). Conclusions: L. monocytogenes infections appear to be increasing in Chile, causing infections in different sites, attacking vulnerable patients, and have a high case-fatality ratio, especially among those with bacteremia.

Introducción: Las infecciones por Listeria monocytogenes representan una zoonosis con escasa caracterización clínica en Chile. Objetivo: Analizar manifestaciones clínicas y factores de riesgo asociados a desenlace fatal. Pacientes yMétodos: Estudio retrospectivo de casos desde 1991 a 2012. Resultados: Se identificaron 23 casos, dos de ellos de aparición nosocomial (8,7%). La edad promedio fue 68,4 años (rango 44-90). El 70% de los casos ha ocurrido desde el año 2003. Los factores predisponentes más frecuentes fueron edad > 65 años (60,9%), diabetes mellitus (40,9%) e inmunosupresión (27,3%). No se encontraron casos asociados a embarazo, infección por VIH o neonatos. La presentación clínica correspondió a infección del SNC (39%,) con ocho casos de meningitis y uno de romboencefalitis (5%); bacteriemias (43,5%) con un caso de endocarditis infecciosa; abscesos (8,7%) y un caso de neumonía y de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (8,7%). El consumo de alimentos de riesgo fue buscado en cinco pacientes y confirmado en cuatro (80%). Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron fiebre (90,9%) y compromiso de conciencia (63,6%). La presencia de cefalea (OR 21 p < 0,05), o náuseas y/o vómitos (OR 50 p < 0,01) se asociaron en forma significativa a infección del SNC. Sólo 45,5% recibió una terapia antimicrobiana empírica inicial adecuada y 36,4% un esquema sinérgico. Ocho pacientes fallecieron (34,8%), desenlace que estuvo asociado a bacteriemia (OR 8,25; IC95 1,2-59 p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Las infecciones por L. monocytogenes parecen estar aumentando lentamente en Chile, producen infecciones en diferentes parénquimas, afectan a pacientes vulnerables, y tienen una alta letalidad, especialmente en el subgrupo con bacteriemia.

[Reflections about the obstetric attitude towards anencephalic fetuses]. / Reflexiones sobre la conducta obstétrica en la embarazada con feto anencefálico.

Pregnancy of an anencephalic fetus generates deep thoughts about its diagnosis, treatment and management of maternal risk, having in mind the irreversibility of the fetal situation. At the present moment, there are no guidelines for labor care in these cases, probably because in most developed countries in which abortion is legal, these pregnancies are interrupted earlier. In Chile, where abortion is illegal we must deal with these situations at the end of the pregnancy period. Of 35,682 labors attended at our hospital, 14 were anencephalic fetuses. In 50% of these a cesarean section was done and in one, a hysterectomy was required due to uterine inertia.

Reflexiones sobre la conducta obstétrica en la embarazada con feto anencefálico / Reflections about the obstetric attitude towards anencephalic fetuses

Pregnancy of an anencephalic fetus generates deep thoughts about its diagnosis, treatment and management of maternal risk, having in mind the irreversibility of the fetal situation. At the present moment, there are no guidelines for labor care in these cases, probably because in most developed countries in which abortion is legal, these pregnancies are interrupted earlier. In Chile, where abortion is illegal we must deal with these situations at the end of the pregnancy period. Of 35,682 labors attended at our hospital, 14 were anencephalic fetuses. In 50 percent of these a cesarean section was done and in one, a hysterectomy was required due to uterine inertia.