Microbial dysbiosis in irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center metagenomic study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The focus of this study was to explore potential differences in colonic mucosal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients compared to a control group utilizing a metagenomic study. METHODS: Mucosal microbiota samples were collected from each IBS patient utilizing jet-flushing colonic mucosa in unified segments of the colon with distilled water, followed by aspiration, during colonoscopy. All the purified dsDNA was extracted and quantified before metagenomic sequencing using an Illumina platform. An equal number of healthy age-matched controls were also examined for colonic mucosal microbiota, which were obtained during screening colonoscopies. RESULTS: The microbiota data on 50 IBS patients (31 females), with a mean age 43.94 ± 14.50 (range19-65), were analyzed in comparison to 50 controls. Satisfactory DNA samples were subjected to metagenomics study, followed by comprehensive comparative phylogenetic analysis. Metagenomics analysis was carried out, and 3.58G reads were sequenced. Community richness (Chao) and microbial structure in IBS patients were shown to be significantly different from those in the control group. Enrichment of Oxalobacter formigenes, Sutterella wadsworthensis, and Bacteroides pectinophilus was significantly observed in controls, whereas enrichment of Collinsella aerofaciens, Gemella morbillorum, and Veillonella parvula Actinobacteria was observed significantly in the IBS cohort. CONCLUSION: The current study has demonstrated significant differences in the microbiota of IBS patients compared to controls.

Microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel diseases: results of a metagenomic study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC)and Crohn disease (CD). METHODS: Metagenomic studies were used to study microbiota in the diagnosed cases of UC and CD at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Each segment of the colon was flushed with distilled water during colonoscopy, and the material was aspirated, immediately frozen for the study. The patients attending for screening colonoscopies were taken as age-matched healthy controls. The UC patients were followed clinically for any signs of exacerbation relapse, and CD patients were followed for any complications. RESULTS: The metagenomic data on 46 (24 females) patients with CD were analyzed along with a group of age and gender-matched controls. Their age ranged from 14 to 65 years, mean age 25.19±10.67 years. There were 50 UC patient (28 females) mean age of 34.42±12.58, and their age ranged from 13-58 years. This study identified enrichment of 19 genera in the control group (Abiotrophia, Anaerofustis, Butyrivibrio, Campylobacter, Catenibacterium, Coprococcus, Dorea, Eubacterium, Facklamia, Klebsiella, Lactococcus, Oscillibacter, Paenibacillus, Parabacteroides, Parasutterella, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Treponema). There was a significant enrichment of 14 genera in our CD cohort (Beggiatoa, Burkholderia, Cyanothece, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Fusobacterium, Jonquetella, Mitsuokella, Parvimonas, Peptostreptococcus, Shigella, Succinatimonas, ThermoanaerobacterVerrucomicrobiales, Vibrio). There was a significant enrichment of 7 genera in UC cohort (Beggiatoa, Burkholderia, Parascardovia, Parvimonas, Pseudoflavonifractor, Thermoanaerobacter, Verrucomicrobiales). CONCLUSIONS: A significant dysbiosis was found in UC and CD patients compared to controls.

Colonic Mucosal Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer: A Single-Center Metagenomic Study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Because genetic and geographic variations in intestinal microbiota are known to exist, the focus of this study was to establish an estimation of microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Saudi Arabia by means of metagenomic studies. METHODS: From July 2010 to November 2012, colorectal cancer patients attending our hospital were enrolled for the metagenomic studies. All underwent clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessment. Mucosal microbiota samples were collected from each patient by jet-flushing colonic mucosa with distilled water at unified segments of the colon, followed by aspiration, during colonoscopy. Total purified dsDNA was extracted and quantified prior to metagenomic sequencing using an Illumina platform. Satisfactory DNA samples (n = 29) were subjected to metagenomics studies, followed by comprehensive comparative phylogenetic analysis. An equal number of healthy age-matched controls were also examined for colonic mucosal microbiota. RESULTS: Metagenomics data on 29 patients (14 females) in the age range 38-77 years were analyzed. The majority 11 (37%) of our patients were overweight (BMI = 25-30). Rectal bleeding was the presenting symptom in 18/29 (62%), while symptomatic anemia was the presenting symptom in 11/29 (37%). The location of colon cancer was rectal in 14 (48%), while cecal growth was observed in 8 (27%). Hepatic flexure growth was found in 1 (3%), descending colonic growth was found in 2 (6%), and 4 (13%) patients had transverse colon growth. The metagenomics analysis was carried out, and a total of 3.58G reads were sequenced, and about 321.91G data were used in the analysis. This study identified 11 genera specific to colorectal cancer patients when compared to genera in the control group. Bacteroides fragilis and Fusobacterium were found to be significantly prevalent in the carcinoma group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The current study has given an insight into the microbiota of colorectal cancer patients in Saudi Arabia and has identified various genera significantly present in these patients when compared to those of the control group.

Duodenal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma: A rare cause of melena.

INTRODUCTION: We report a rare case of duodenal metastasis from primary lung adenocarcinoma presented with history of melena and weight loss. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 52-year-old smoker man presented with six months history of epigastric pain, melena and weight loss. Esophago-gastroduodenoscopy revealed a 10mm ulcerative lesion in the fourth part of duodenum. Histopathology of resected lesion showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Tumor cells showed immunopositivity for cytokeratin-7 (CK7), thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and immunonegativity for CK20, Villin, CDX2 and thyroglobulin, supporting the diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung origin. Computed tomography (CT) of chest revealed left hilar mass encasing the main pulmonary artery associated with ipsilateral hilar and contralateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopy assisted biopsy of lung mass confirmed the diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma. Patient was staged as T4N3M1. After the resection of duodenal metastasis followed by three cycles of cisplatinum based chemotherapy with Bevacizumab, melena resolved completely. DISCUSSION: Duodenal metastases from lung adenocarcinoma are extremely uncommon, and rarely produce symptoms. Most of cases require duodenectomy or pancreatico-duodenectomy for symptomatic relief. For smaller duodenal metastatic lesions (≤1cm) endoscopic resection is a feasible therapeutic option. CONCLUSION: Although rare, duodenal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma should also be included in the differential diagnosis of melena. Smaller lesions (≤1cm) can safely be managed with endoscopic resection.

Acute autoimmune hepatitis mimicking metastatic liver disease: A case report.

We report progressive painless jaundice in a 39 year old female with a suspicion of metastatic liver disease on ultrasound and computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Although the most frequent liver lesions are liver metastasis because of dual blood supply of the liver and the impact of hormones, the index case proved to have acute autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after liver biopsy was undertaken. AIH, an unresolving inflammation of liver, occurs predominantly among females worldwide. It may present acutely and even fulminant hepatitis has been described. The index case had a dramatic response to steroid treatment with total recovery and complete resolution of liver lesions. She is clinically fine and has been regularly attending our clinic for the last year. To our knowledge from a Medline search, this is the first report where AIH was seen to mimic metastatic liver disease.

Fish bone migration: an unusual cause of liver abscess.

Treating a pyogenic liver abscess is a therapeutic challenge when a patient presents with atypical symptoms. One of the rare causes of treatment failure of these abscesses is the unrecognised migration of a foreign body from the gastrointestinal tract. The authors describe a pyogenic liver abscess in a 45-year-old male who presented with a 10 day history of fever, and abdominal pain. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a needle-like foreign body in the liver. At operation a 2.5 cm fish bone was extracted from the liver. Subsequently, his feverish symptoms disappeared, and he has remained well in the ensuing 3 month postoperative period. Fish bone-induced liver abscess is discussed in this brief report.

Inflammatory bowel disease register: Steps towards Crohn's & colitis foundation of Saudi Arabia (CCFSA).

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are among the leading cause of financial burden, morbidity and employee absenteeism in developed countries because of their chronic remitting and relapsing courses. IBD is estimated to affect the Canadian economy to the tune of 100 million dollars per year. The data regarding exact prevalence in Asian countries, including Saudi Arabia, is still incomplete as there is underreporting and lack of proper registry of the diagnosed cases. The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) has increased over the last decade in Saudi Arabia due to increased IBD awareness among population, as more patients seek medical help and also due to unknown reasons. There is a need of proper registration of IBD patients and establishment of Crohn's & colitis foundation of Saudi Arabia (CCFSA) as in other parts of the world. The Crohn's & colitis foundation of Saudi Arabia will be a forum which will co ordinate IBD treatment and research in the country in addition to health education among IBD population.

Bee sting therapy-induced hepatotoxicity: A case report.

The use of bee venom as a therapeutic agent for the relief of joint pains dates back to Hippocrates, and references to the treatment can be found in ancient Egyptian and Greek medical writings as well. Also known as apitherapy, the technique is widely used in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America. The beneficial effects of bee stings can be attributed to mellitinin, an anti-inflammatory agent, known to be hundred times stronger than cortisone. Unfortunately, certain substances in the bee venom trigger allergic reactions which can be life threatening in a sensitized individual. Multiple stings are known to cause hemolysis, kidney injury, hepatotoxicity and myocardial infarction. The toxicity can be immediate or can manifest itself only weeks after the exposure. We describe hepatotoxicity in a 35-year-old female, following bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis. She presented to our clinic 3 wk after therapy with a history of progressive jaundice. The patient subsequently improved, and has been attending our clinic now for the last 9 mo.

Endoscopic glue injection with application of hemostatic clips: a novel method of closing a gastro colonic fistula after PEG tube complication.

Gastrocolonic fistula after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG tube) placement is an uncommon but a serious complication of the procedure. These fistulous tracts are often fibrotic and require surgical intervention if the spontaneous closure fails. We describe development of gastroclonic fistula in an old man who presented with history of post feeding diarrhea of 2 weeks duration three months after placement of PEG tube. Successful closure of fistulous tract was documented after local glue injection and hemostatic clips without any complication obviating need of surgery. The patient is on our follow-up for last 8 months now.

Celiac disease and autoimmune pancreatitis: an uncommon association. A case report.

We present the clinical scenario of acute abdominal pain in a 27-year-old man with recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of the patient revealed elevated levels of serum amylase, lipase, and transaminase without any biliary obstruction. He had elevated serum IgG4 levels, and his computed tomography scan showed features consistent with autoimmune pancreatitis. Further evaluation revealed celiac disease. He was treated as a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis and was started on steroids in addition to a gluten-free diet. His liver function improved in 6 weeks. He gained weight and his glycemic control also improved. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography after 3 months revealed complete resolution of pancreatic enlargement. The patient is being followed up in our clinic since the past 3 years. To the best of our knowledge and according to the Medline search, this is the first case report of celiac disease as an association of autoimmune pancreatitis.