Effect of low dose albumin administration in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis on renal function and survival.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Current guidelines favour albumin administration during spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). However, its use is limited in clinical practice and low doses are preferred. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of low dose albumin perfusion during SBP on mortality and prevention of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in cirrhotic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study including consecutive patients with SBP hospitalized from 2002 to 2015 was performed. All patients were treated by intravenous empiric antibiotics associated with albumin infusion (30 g/day the first and third day) irrespective of patient's weight. The diagnosis of HRS was assessed according to the International Ascites Club criteria. The survival, the frequency of HRS and any disturbance in renal function were recorded. RESULTS: Fourty nine patients (sex ratio = 0.81, mean age 60.6 years [23-89]) were included. Main cause of cirrhosis was hepatitis B and C in 42.9% of cases. 63.3% were of Child Pugh C score%. The first line intravenous antibiotic treatment was based on cefotaxime in 87.8% of cases, followed by ofloxacin in 6.1% of cases. The outcome was favourable in 85.7% of cases. HRS was observed in 9 patients (18.3%) within 18 months [1-55]. Otherwise, 10 patients (20.4%) experienced an increase in creatinine level despite of albumin perfusion. The immediate mortality was 4%, and the six months survival was of 81.8%. CONCLUSION: Despite even a low dose administration of albumin during SBP, renal dysfunction and HRS occurred less than described in literature. These results associated with cost considerations could suggest to use such an intervention during SBP or to select high risk patients who must receive albumin perfusion during SBP.

Prognostic factors of survival during hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic means,mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on liver cirrhosis remainsheavy in the absence of curative treatment. AIM: To evaluate survival and to identify prognostic factors during HCC. METHODS: A mono centric retrospective study over a period of13 years (January 2002-October 2015), including all patients with HHConcirrhotic liver was performed. Survival analysis was performed accordingto the Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic factors of survival weredetermined by the Log Rank test. RESULTS: Ninety four patients wereincluded (meanage 66.18 years, sexratio 1.65). Cirrhosiswassecondary to hepatitis B or C in 73.6%). Twentytwo patients responded to the MILAN criteria. Cirrhosiswasrated Child A,B and C in 30.9%, 46.8% and 22.3% of patients, respectively. A Curativetreatment was possible for only 10 patients (11.2%). In our study, meansurvival was 15.1 months and overall survival at 1 year and 2 years were25.5% and 21.3%, respectively. Nine factors associated with shortersurvival were identified : a Child-Pugh stage B or C; the absence ofscreening; an AFP level of> 400ng / ml; the existence of vascularthrombosis; a CHC evolved according to the classification of Milan; anOKUDA III score; CLIP score ≥ 3; a BCLC stage C or D; palliative orsymptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: Although the best treatment of HCC remainspreventive, theuse of new prognostic scores couldimprove the management of patientsifintegrated in therapeuticalgorithms.

Systematic gastric biopsy in iron deficiency anaemia.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Gastric biopsies are recommended in patients with iron deficiency anaemia to identify atrophic gastritis. However, in practice, only duodenal biopsies are routinely performed. The aim of our study was to determine the value of gastric biopsies in iron deficiency anaemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study including all patients referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy for iron deficiency anaemia from May 2008 to September 2014 was performed. All patients having endoscopic lesions which may explain occult bleeding were excluded, as well as patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anticoagulation treatment. Two fundic biopsies, two antral biopsies, and one biopsy from the lesser curve were taken in all patients. Following entities were particularly looked for: chronic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, intestinal metaplasia, endocrine hyperplasia and villous atrophy. In cases where intestinal metaplasia was present in the fundus and associated with endocrine hyperplasia and glandular atrophy, immunohistochemical study was performed to confirm autoimmune gastritis. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven patients (mean age 50 years, range: 15-90) were included. Chronic gastritis was found in 149 cases (84%). Infection by Helicobacter pylori was found in 107 cases (60%). Fundic intestinal metaplasia was observed in 25 patients (14%) and was associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in 52% of cases. Atrophic gastritis was observed in 14 cases (8%) and autoimmune gastritis was confirmed in 5 cases by immunohistochemical study. One patient had on gastric biopsy a carcinoma with signet ring cells. CONCLUSION: Intestinal metaplasia was frequently observed and was mostly related to Helicobacter pylori infection. These patients require monitoring, especially if they are young because it represents a pre neoplastic condition. However, in our study autoimmune gastritis often described in the literature in case of iron deficiency anaemia was rarely seen raising the question of relative cost-efficiency of fundic biopsies during iron deficiency anaemia.

Known, new and emerging risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (review).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest primary cancer of the liver and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. And despite effective treatment of hepatitis B and C infection which is the prominent factor associated with HCC, the prevalence of this malignancy continues to rise probably due to other factors. So that, identifying risk factor of HCC is essential and effective surveillance programs are necessary in order to maximize patient outcomes. This article summarizes the known, new and emerging risk factors of HCC.

Detection of a new JCV strain of genotype A in a subpopulation of colorectal adenocarcinomas in Tunisia

The etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains elusive in spite of major advances in knowledge of this disease and related risk factors. Several studies report the detection of human polyomavirus JC (JCV) in colorectal tumors and some suggest its association with CRC. Since many known human virus associations with cancer are linked to factors such as ethnic and geographical origin, it is interesting to search for the postulated association of JCV with CRC in different populations and regions. In this perspective, the present work was undertaken to assess the presence of JCV in CRC tumors in Tunisia. Fresh biopsies were obtained from both colorectal tumors and adjacent normal tissues of 47 CRC patients. Only tumors diagnosed as adenocarcinomas were included in the present study. Twenty patients with other gastroenterological disorders were taken as controls. DNA was extracted from fresh biopsies or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. A region of the viral T-Ag gene was amplified by PCR and the DNA amplicons were subjected to automated sequencing. JCV DNA was found in 22 (46%) of the adenocarcinomas but in none of the normal mucosa biopsies of either CRC or control patients. Sequence analysis indicated that the amplified DNA belonged to a new JCV variant of genotype A. The presence of JCV DNA was correlated with tumor location and grade. The data obtained suggest that JCV may be associated either with a subpopulation of colorectal tumors or with CRC in general, possibly through a hit and run mechanism.

Ascending Cholangitis secondary to migrated embolization coil of gastroduodenal artery pseudo-aneurysm a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastroduodenalartery (GDA) pseudo-aneurysms are very rare. Their clinical importance lies in the eventuality of rupture, causing bleeding and ultimately exsanguination. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a man, with prior history of biliary surgery, presenting with haemobilia secondary to a rupture of GDA pseudo-aneurysm eroding the main bile duct. The patient was treated with coil embolization. This technique is considered to be safe. However, on the long term, some complications may occur. In our case, the patient presented with cholangitis subsequent to coil migration in the lower bile duct. This situation was managed using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) allowing coil extraction with favorable evolution. CONCLUSIONS: GDA pseudo-aneurysms are very rare. Bleeding, secondary to the rupture of these lesions, is a serious complication that could lead to death. Diagnosis and treatment of ruptured GDA pseudo-aneurysms rely on angiography. This method is considered to be safe. Cholangitis secondary to coil migration in the main bile duct is exceedingly rare,but remains an eventuality that physicians should be cognizant of.

[Chronic pancreatitis: clinical and therapeutic study. Six years of experience of a gastroenterology department]. / La pancréatite chronique calcifiante: Etude Clinique et thérapeutique Expérience de 6 ans d'un service de gasto-entérologie.

BACKGROUND: The chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory chronic affection of the pancreatic parenchyma characterized by a mutilating fibrosis with a progressive set up. The endoscopic treatment is actually considered as the first-line treatment and can sometimes be complementary to surgery. AIM: To determine the epidemiological, clinical, para-clinical and therapeutic characteristics during chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: a retrospective study including patients having a chronic pancreatitis hospitalized in the gastroenterology department of Habib Thameur hospital between 2002 and 2008 was performed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in this study (mean age 43 years, sex ratio 7). All the patients were symptomatic at the time of the diagnosis and the epigastric pain was the main symptom. A complication was noted at the time of diagnosis in 12 patients: endocrine and exocrine pancreatic failure was noted in respectively 5 and 3 patients, while other complications were less frequent: acute pancreatitis (2 patients), cholestatic jaundice (2 patients) and pancreatic pseudo-cyst (2 patients). The endoscopic treatment was performed in 62% of the patients with success of 63%. The surgical treatment was indicated in 37% of the cases. Mean follow up was 16 months. Survival rate was 93% at one year. One patient died because of hypoglycemia. No pancreatic neoplasia was noted in our study. CONCLUSION: In chronic pancreatitis, the contribution of endoscopic treatment is considerable but not without a certain risk. Therefore, collaboration between surgeons and endoscopists is needed and the best treatment should be considered individually.

[Cutaneous metastasis of a ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma]. / Métastases cutanées d'un adenocarcinoma gastrique à cellules indépendantes.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous metastasis of gastric tumors are very rare. Their topography is generally near to the primitive tumor, in the abdominal wall but rarely in cervical region. AIM: the aim of our study was to describe the topography and the clinic-pathological characteristics of cutaneous metastasis of ring cells gastric adenocarcinoma. Observation1: Our first patient is aged of 33 years has epigastralgias and vomiting. Gastric adenocarcinoma with independent cells was diagnosed by gastroscopy and gastric biopsy made for gastric pain and loss of weigh. During hospitalization, he developed 4 cutaneous nodes localized in cervical region. Cutaneous biopsy with histological examination confirmed the metastatic nature of the nodes. Patient was addressed in oncology unit in order to begin palliative systemic chemotherapy. Observation 2: Our second patient is a women aged of 4 3years who had surgical resection for independent cell gastric carcinoma diagnosed by gastroscpy and biopsy for gastric pain and loss of weigh. She had total gastrectomy without any complications and was addressed in oncology unit for adjuvant chemotherapy. After 2 years, she developed peritoneal carcinosis and cutaneous abdominal nodes. Cutaneous metastasis were confirmed by histological examination of cutaneous biopsy and the patient died within one month. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous metastasis of gastric cancer and especially ring cell adenocarcinoma are rare but do occur. They must be early diagnosed because they modify therapeutic options. Their prognosis remains poor.

Microbiological study and antimicrobial susceptibility of bile in biliary therapeutic endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Biliary obstruction together with bacterial colonization of the bile duct may lead to development of acute cholangitis. The reported incidence of infectious complications may reach up to 10%. Nevertheless, no antibiotic prophylaxis is administered routinely, prior to endoscopic therapeutic procedures. AIM: To investigate the presence and degree of biliary bacterial colonization during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with biliary obstruction. Furthermore, we evaluated antibiotic therapy regimens, which would cover the bacterial species obtained by ERCP and subsequent culture in each patient. METHODS: Forty-four patients with biliary obstruction who underwent an ERCP with biliary drainage were prospectively included. The primary indication of ERCP was choledocholithiasis (48%), followed by benign biliary strictures (32%) and malignant bile duct obstruction (18%). Bile cultures were obtained by means of bile aspiration via the cannulation catheter. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were prepared from all obtained specimens and the isolated organisms were identified. In the case of positive cultures, an in-vitro resistance test for different antibiotics was performed. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of bile culture was 93%. The organisms cultured were Escherichia coli (26.8%), Enterococcus (17%), Klebsiella (14.6%), Enterobacter (14.6%) and Pseudomonas (9.7%) in decreasing order. In-vitro testing of different antibiotics was carried out in these 41 isolates. Imipenem showed the best antimicrobial activity (sensitivity, 100%), followed by colistin (94%), tobramycin (93%), amikacin (89.6%), gentamycin (85.2%) and ceftazidin (82%). Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ofloxacin were less sensitive (66% and 60% respectively). Ceftazidin was the most effective antibiotic on Escherichia coli (sensitivity 83%). Multi-resistant organisms were noted in 22% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Escherichia coli was found to be the pathogen most frequently detected in bile following endoscopic interventions in the biliary tract. Enterococci and Klebsiella were found in bile cultures with an incidence exceeding 10%. In view of the in-vitro test results, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or quinolons are not suitable antibiotics for the prophylaxis of biliary infections. Moreover, Gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus are emerging as causative microorganisms. If these organisms are isolated, antimicrobial drugs should be replaced by narrower-spectrum antimicrobials.

Hypogammaglobulinemia associated with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the intestine and pernicious anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract, recurrent acute pulmonary infections and autoimmune disease are well-recognized complications of common variable immunodeficiency. AIM: We aimed to focus on clinical presentation and differential diagnosis of diffuse nodular lymphoid and hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract coexisting with hypogammaglobulinemia. CASE-REPORT: We report the case of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia associated with pernicious anaemia in a young man with hypogammaglobulinemia and a long history of pulmonary infections. CONCLUSION: The considerable point was a mismatch primary clinical diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis, due to prominent polyplike endoscopic appearance of the lesions throughout the digestive tract.

Epidemiological evolution of epidemiology of the inflammatory bowel diseases in a hospital of Tunis.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological studies showed that the incidence of the inflammatory bowel diseases describes a gradient North-South. Besides, concerning the evolution according to the time,recent studies noted an increase of the incidence of the Crohn's disease at the expense of the one of the ulcerative colitis. AIM: To determine the evolution of the epidemiology of the inflammatory bowel diseases across the time. METHODS: The study included inpatients followed for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis, in the department of gastroenterology of Habib Thameur hospital. For every patient were collected the sex, the age and the year of the diagnosis, the type of inflammatory bowel disease and the initial location. We compared the evolution of the frequency of the inflammatory bowel diseases,them type and their initial location according to 5 periods of 3 years. RESULTS: During this period, 202 cases of inflammatory bowel disease were diagnosed (55,5% of Crohn's disease, 41,5% of ulcerative colitis, 6% of indeterminate colitis). For the first period,we noted 21 cases of inflammatory bowel disease, for the 5th period, we noted 43 cases. The frequency of the Crohn's disease passed from 8 cases in the 1st period to 23 cases in the 5th one. The frequency of the ulcerative colitis passed from 12 cases in the 1st period to 17 cases in the 5th one. The number of indeterminate colitis was 1 in the 1st period and 3 in the 5th one. These differences did not been significant. The distribution of initial locations of the Crohn's disease and the ulcerative colitis increased in a proportional manner for each period. The average age to the diagnosis was 32 years in the 1st period and 35 years in the 5th period and comparable whatever the inflammatory bowel disease type. CONCLUSION: Although we cannot amount the exact incidence, we noted an increase of the frequency of the inflammatory bowel diseases, with a more marked elevation for the Crohn's disease.

[Steatosis in chronic hepatitis C: prevalence and predictive factors]. / Stéatose au cours de l'hépatite chronique C : prévalence et facteurs de risque de survenue.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hepatitis C virus seem to often have hepatic steatosis. AIM: To assess the prevalence and the predictive factors of steatosis during chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: We studied 50 HCV RNA positive subjects, who had liver biopsy performed. Steatosis was searched and patients were divided into to groups according to the presence or not of steatosis. RESULTS: On liver biopsy, 28 patients (56%) had steatosis. Multivariante analysis showed that steatosis was associated with age 58 years > 1,1 µmol/l, odds ratio 2 (95% CI 1.48 - 2.6; p= 0.02) and triglycerides level, odds ration 4,22 (95% CI 1.05 - 16.98; p = 0,03. CONCLUSION: In this study, steatosis was significantly associated with metabolic factors.

[Survival in patients with gastric lymphoma]. / Survie des patients atteints de lymphome gastrique.

BACKGROUND: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a histological type of marginal zone non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Its clinical features and prognosis have seldom been reported because of its indolent clinical course. AIM: To establish prognostic factors that should be considered for the staging and management of this disease. METHODS: Clinical data of 40 pathologically confirmed gastric lymphoma patients, treated during a period of 13 years, were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 65% had stage IE - II1E disease and 35% had stage II2E - IV disease. A total of 18 patients received surgeries.Eighteen patients had chemotherapy and 10 patients had Helicobacter Pylori eradication therapy. The complete remission rate after treatment was 50%. The patients were followed up for a median of 26.75 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 70%. Early stage at presentation, surgery, normal lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and Helicobacter Pylori infection were associated with longer survival in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that surgery might be an important factor predicting the long-term survival of patients with primary gastric lymphoma. Patients with poor prognostic factors should be treated more aggressively.

Retained common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy: temporary and longterm treatment with biliary stenting.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic extraction of biliary tract stones is safe and effective. When the procedure is not successful, the use of a biliary stent can be a solution. AIM: To prospectively analyse the usefulness of a stenting in management of biliary obstruction due to choledocolithiasis. METHODS: All patients referred to our endoscopic unit from January 2005 to January 2008, for management of bile duct stone are studied. We included patients subjected to an endoscopic insertion of a biliary stent. RESULTS: Of 414 patients with choledocolithiasis, 51 failed to have their ducts cleared with the first endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): 25 patients (6%) were referred to surgical stone removal. Twenty six consecutive patients had endoscopic insertion of a 10 Fr biliary stent: There were 12 men and 14 women ranging in age from 35 to 102 years (median age 68 years). The indications for stent placement in common bile duct stone were mainly the endoscopic portal hypertension, elderly patients or with a short life expectancy. Twenty four patients (88%) are symptom free after stenting. Six patients (23%) had duct clearance after a median of 3 sessions at a mean of 13 months (range 3-48 months). In 3 patients endoprosthesis was inserted as a permanent therapy of biliary obstruction. Cholangitis occurred in 5 patients, early in two cases and later at a mean of 18 months (range 6-24 months) in 3 patients and was managed endoscopically by stent replacement and fluid antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: These data favor temporary use of biliary endoprostheses in patients with endoscopically irretrievable bile duct stones until the definitive treatment is carried out. However, as a permanent therapy, late complications occur in many patients and the risk increases proportionally in time. Therefore, permanent biliary stenting should preferably be restricted to patients unfit for elective treatment at a later stage and with a short life expectancy.

Colorectal neoplasia in elderly versus young patients in Tunisia: analysis of colonoscopic findings.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer occurs more frequently in older patients. Since the older population is increasing, a better understanding of the characteristics of colorectal neoplasm according to the age would be useful. AIM: To determine the differences of clinical characteristics of colorectal neoplasm including polyps between the elderly and young patients. METHODS: Colonoscopy database from 2004 to 2008 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 1510 eligible patients who underwent colonoscopy with a mean age of 54 years. Patients were classified into two groups: the older age group (Group 1, aged ³ 60 years, n = 626) and the younger age group (Group 2, aged < 60 years, n = 884). Data were recorded on age, gender, colonoscopic indications, colonoscopic findings, and their related histological findings and tumor location. RESULTS: The risk of finding polyps and cancer at colonoscopy increases with age (29.4% in the older age group and 11% in the younger age group (p < 0.05). Left-sided lesions were noted to be more frequent in both age groups (66% and 67% respectively). CONCLUSION: The chance of detecting colorectal neoplasm by colonoscopy was higher in the elderly. However, both groups had the lesions predominately located in the left side.