Current vision on diagnosis and comprehensive care in hepatic encephalopathy.

The first clinical guidelines on hepatic encephalopathy were published in 2009. Almost 14 years since that first publication, numerous advances in the field of diagnosis, treatment, and special condition care have been made. Therefore, as an initiative of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología A.C., we present a current view of those aspects. The manuscript described herein was formulated by 24 experts that participated in six working groups, analyzing, discussing, and summarizing the following topics: Definition of hepatic encephalopathy; recommended classifications; epidemiologic panorama, worldwide and in Mexico; diagnostic tools; conditions that merit a differential diagnosis; treatment; and primary and secondary prophylaxis. Likewise, these guidelines emphasize the management of certain special conditions, such as hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure, as well as specific care in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, such as the use of medications and types of sedation, describing those that are permitted or recommended, and those that are not.

Síndrome del intestino irritable / Irritable bowel syndrome

El síndrome del intestino irritable es uno de los trastornos funcionales intestinales más comunes y tiene un impacto sustancial en la vida diaria de los pacientes, así como un enorme impacto económico en la sociedad. Se caracteriza por dolor abdominal, meteorismo con distensión abdominal y alteración en las evacuaciones intestinales, con predominio de diarrea, estreñimiento o alternancia de estos signos, los cuales no pueden ser explicados por una anormalidad estructural o bioquímica. Se desconoce su etiopatogenia y su mecanismo fisiopatológico. La enfermedad afecta a entre el 5 y el 10% de los individuos sanos en un momento dado y, en la mayoría de las personas, tiene un curso de recaídas y remisiones. En este artículo se revisan algunas de las evidencias principales y más actuales acerca de su epidemiología, factores de riesgo, fisiopatología, manifestaciones clínicas, aproximación diagnóstica y opciones terapéuticas, tanto de tipo dietético como farmacológico y psicoterapéutico.

Irritable bowel syndrome. / Síndrome del intestino irritable.

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional bowel disorders, and has a substantial impact on patients' daily lives, as well as a big economic impact on society. It is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and abdominal distention and altered bowel movements, with a predominance of diarrhoea, constipation, or alternation of these signs, which cannot be explained by a structural or biochemical abnormality. Its aetiopathogenesis and pathophysiological mechanism are unknown. The disease affects 5%-10% of healthy individuals at any given time and, in most people, has a relapsing-remitting course. This article reviews some of the main and most current evidence on its epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic options, both dietary, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic.

Efficacy of rifaximin in the different clinical scenarios of hepatic encephalopathy. / Eficacia de la rifaximina en los diferentes escenarios clínicos de la encefalopatía hepática.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a frequent complication in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and is associated with a high mortality rate. Costs attributed to the management of patients with cirrhosis are especially high due to complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy, given that they increase the number of days of hospital stay. Different drugs are currently used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, and the main ones are lactulose, L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA), and certain antibiotics, especially rifaximin-α (RFX). Even though many of them have been shown to be effective to greater or lesser degrees, it is important to understand the differences between them, so that every patient receives individualized treatment and the best option is chosen, in accordance with the different clinical scenarios. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the evidence on the advantages and disadvantages of the individual or combined use of the 3 main treatments for hepatic encephalopathy, specifically taking into consideration their different degrees of efficacy, their impact on quality of life, prophylaxis, and cost reduction.

Diferencias farmacocinéticas entre rifaximina alfa y una rifaximina genérica / Pharmacokinetic differences between alpha rifaximin and a generic rifaximin

Resumen: ANTECEDENTES: Los fármacos que tienen polimorfismo, como la rifaximina, pueden tener diferencias farmacocinéticas según el polimorfo. La rifaximina polimorfa-α (alfa) es un antibiótico no absorbible. OBJETIVO: Investigar si la farmacocinética de la rifaximina de referencia (α) es distinta de la de una rifaximina genérica en el mercado mexicano. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo experimental del polimorfo con difracción de rayos X, su perfil de solubilidad y la farmacocinética de una dosis única de 100 mg/ kg de cada rifaximina administrada por vía oral en perros Beagle. RESULTADOS: La rifaximina de referencia fue polimorfo-α (alfa) y la rifaximina genérica resultó polimorfo-к (kappa). El perfil de solubilidad fue diferente porque el polimorfo-к fue más soluble que el α. La concentración plasmática máxima (Cmáx), la concentración durante 24 horas (AUC0-t) y la biodisponibilidad relativa fueron 8 a 10 veces mayores con rifaximina genérica (к) que con la de referencia (α). CONCLUSIÓN: La rifaximina genérica estudiada tiene farmacocinética distinta del producto de referencia y no puede considerarse del todo un antibiótico no absorbible. Se discuten las posibles implicaciones terapéuticas, especialmente en la seguridad.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Drugs with polimorphism, as rifaximin, may have different pharmacokinetic depending on the polymorph. Rifaximin polymorph-α (alfa) is a non-absorbable antibiotic. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if pharmacokinetic of reference rifaximin (α) is different from a generic rifaximin of the Mexican market. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective experimental study was done assessing polymorphism with X-ray diffraction, solubility test and pharmacokinetics in Beagle dogs after unique oral dose of 100 mg/kg of each rifaximin. RESULTS: Reference rifaximin was a polymorph-α (alfa), while generic rifaximin resulted a polymorph-к (kappa). Solubility profile of both was different, solubility of generic was major than reference rifaximin. Plasma peak concentration (Cmax), area under curve (AUC0-t) and relative bioavailability were 8 to 10 folds higher with generic rifaximin (к) than reference drug (α). CONCLUSION: Generic rifaximin has a different pharmacokinetic from the reference rifaximin and the former cannot be considered a non-absorbable antibiotic.

Preferential usage of rifaximin for the treatment of hydrogen-positive small intestinal bacterial overgrowth / Rifaximina como tratamiento de elección en pacientes con sobrecrecimiento bacteriano con prueba de hidrógeno positiva

Objectives: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is challenging to treat and diagnose and is associated with diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although no FDA-approved medications exist for treatment of SIBO, rifaximin has recently received approval to treat diarrhea-predominant IBS and patients with methane-positive SIBO breath tests. The aim of this study is to evaluate patient response to rifaximin for SIBO based on breath test results. Materials and methods: All patients underwent breath testing to evaluate for SIBO during a 42-month period. Patients were defined as having a positive glucose breath test for SIBO based on an increase of ≥ 20 ppm of hydrogen and/or ≥ 10 ppm of methane 90 minutes after ingesting glucose. Patient demographic and symptom data, antibiotic treatment regimens, symptomatic response to therapy, and repeat treatments were recorded. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Results: A total of 53 of 443 patients had positive breath testing for SIBO. Response rates to rifaximin (550 mg three times daily for 14 days) were 47.4% for hydrogen positivity alone and 80% for both hydrogen and methane positivity. Conclusions: Rifaximin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic regimen for SIBO therapy. Patients with hydrogen or hydrogen and methane positive breath tests responded well to rifaximin therapy. For patients with hydrogen-positive SIBO, rifaximin may prove a highly effective therapy in providing symptom relief from the effects of SIBO.

Objetivos: El sobrecrecimiento bacteriano de intestino delgado es una entidad difícil de diagnosticar y tratar, frecuentemente asociada con el síndrome de intestino irritable. A pesar que la FDA no ha aprobado medicamentos para tratar el sobrecrecimiento bacteriano, la rifaximina ha sido recientemente aprobada para tratar el intestino irritable tipo diarrea y en pacientes con test de aliento metano positivo en sobrecrecimiento bacteriano. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la respuesta a rifaximina de los pacientes con sobrecremiento bacteriano con prueba de aliento positiva. Material y métodos: Todos los pacientes que se realizaron prueba de aliento por sobrecrecimiento bacteriano durante un periodo de 42 meses. Se definió un paciente con sobrecrecimiento bacteriano positivo si tenía un incremento mayor a 20 ppm de hidrógeno y/o 10 ppm de metano luego de 90 minutos de la ingesta de glucosa. Se registraron los datos demográficos, síntomas, tratamiento antibióticos recibidos, respuesta a la terapia, y repetición de tratamientos. Resultados: Un total de 53 de 443 pacientes tuvieron prueba de aliento positiva para sobrecrecimiento bacteriano. La tasa de respuesta a rifaximina (550 mg tres veces x día x 14 días) fue 47.4% para pacientes con sólo test de hidrógeno positivo, y 80% para pacientes con tanto test de hidrógeno como metano positivos. Conclusiones: La rifaximina es el régimen antibiótico más frecuentemente utilizado en sobrecrecimiento bacteriano. Los pacientes con prueba de aliento de hidrógeno o hidrógeno y metano positivos respondieron bien a la rifaximina. Para pacientes con sobrecrecimiento bacteriano prueba de hidrógeno positiva, la rifaximina puede ser una terapia efectiva en mejorar síntomas.

Bowel symptoms in patients that receive proton pump inhibitors. Results of a multicenter survey in Mexico. / Síntomas intestinales en pacientes que reciben inhibidores de bomba de protones (IBP). Resultados de una encuesta multicéntrica en México.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which increases with prolonged PPI use, and SIBO has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence of bowel symptoms in patients treated with PPIs in Mexico. METHODS: Gastroenterologists in 36 cities surveyed patients treated with PPIs, utilizing an ad hoc questionnaire to determine the presence of bowel symptoms and IBS. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifteen physicians interviewed 1,851 patients. PPI indications were gastritis (48.8%), gastroesophageal reflux (38.5%), peptic ulcer (6.2%), and others (6.5%). A total of 77.5% of the patients received treatment for ≤6 months and 11.9% for ≥1 year. Symptoms were reported in 92.3% of the patients: abnormal bowel habits (90%), bloating (82%), abdominal pain (63%), flatulence (58%), and abdominal discomfort (53%). A total of 67.5% of the patients fit the Rome III criteria for IBS. Symptoms presented in 55.9% of the patients before PPI intake and in 44.1% of the patients after PPI use (P<.005). Constipation (63.8%) predominated in the former, and diarrhea (56.5%) in the latter (P<.0001). The treatments prescribed for managing those symptoms were antispasmodics, antibiotics, prokinetics, and antiflatulents, but patients stated greater satisfaction with antibiotics (mainly rifaximin) (P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The association of PPIs with bowel symptoms and IBS is frequent in Mexico. Diarrhea and bloating predominate, and antibiotics produce the greatest treatment satisfaction, suggesting that SIBO or dysbiosis is the cause of the PPI-related bowel symptoms. However, that remains to be confirmed.

El impacto del tratamiento de la encefalopatía hepática mínima en el pronóstico a largo plazo / The impact of minimal hepatic encephalopathy treatment in long-term prognosis

La encefalopatía hepática mínima (EHm) afecta del 30% al 50% de los pacientes cirróticos. Su detección es esencial por su relación con la encefalopatía hepática clínica, la alteración de la habilidad para conducir, el mayor riesgo de caídas, la alteración de la calidad de vida, la progresión más acelerada de la cirrosis y la supervivencia. A pesar de la información fidedigna de su relevancia clínica, pronóstica y social, la detección de EHm no está generalizada en la práctica clínica. El espectro de la encefalopatía hepática engloba diversas alteraciones de las funciones cerebrales, por lo que se requiere realizar más de un test para su diagnóstico. Además, las alteraciones iniciales difieren de un paciente a otro. Esto ha dificultado el desarrollo de una estrategia diagnóstica universal. Como resultado, no disponemos de datos suficientes para generar recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia del impacto del tratamiento de la EHm en la calidad de vida y la supervivencia, así como de su rentabilidad. Por lo tanto, las guías clínicas actuales sugieren que se evalúe la EHm cuando se afecta la calidad de vida de los pacientes, ya que no se conocen las consecuencias del tamizaje. Las terapias reductoras de amonio se consideran la piedra angular del tratamiento de la EHm. Los disacáridos no absorbibles, la rifaximina y, más recientemente, los probióticos, han mostrado efectos beneficiosos. Se necesitan más ensayos controlados con placebo para evaluar la eficacia, seguridad y rentabilidad de los regímenes de tratamiento disponibles para evaluar el impacto del tratamiento de la EHm en el pronóstico a largo plazo de estos pacientes.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) affects up to 30-50% of cirrhotic patients. The detection of MHE is essential because of its relationship with overt hepatic encephalopathy, impairment of motor vehicle driving abilities, higher risk of falls, quality of life impairment, faster cirrhosis progression and survival. Despite the robust evidence regarding its clinical, prognostic and social relevance, MHE testing is not widespread in routine clinical care. Hepatic encephalopathy spectrum covers various alterations in complex brain functions, requiring more than one test to be quantified. In addition, initial disturbances differ from one patient to another. All this has made it difficult to develop a universal diagnostic strategy. As a consequence, there is a lack of available robust data in the literature to generate evidence-based recommendations related to the impact of MHE treatment on quality of life and survival of these patients, as well as on cost-effectiveness. Therefore, current clinical guidelines suggest MHE testing only when patients have problems with their quality of life, since consequences of the screening procedure are still unclear. Ammonia lowering therapies have been considered the cornerstone of MHE treatment. Beneficial effects of non-absorbable disaccharides (lactulose or lactitol), rifaximin and more recently, probiotics have been reported. Further placebo-controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of available treatment regimes to evaluate the impact of MHE treatment on the long-term prognosis of these patients.

Efficacy and safety of rifaximin associated with standard triple therapy (omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin) for H. pylori eradication: A phase IV pilot clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A progressive decrease in Helicobacter pylori eradication rates has been described over the years, driving the need for new antibiotic treatments. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the addition of rifaximin (Spiraxin®) to standard triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) for the eradication of H. pylori. METHODS: Independent prospective clinical trial (EUDRACT no.: 2013-001080-23). Forty consecutive adult patients were included with H. pylori infection, dyspeptic symptoms and naive to eradication treatment. A full blood test was performed in the first five patients enrolled to evaluate the safety of the treatment. H. pylori eradication was confirmed with the 13C-urea breath test at least four weeks after the end of treatment with rifaximin 400mg/8h, clarithromycin 500mg/12h, amoxicillin 1g/12h and omeprazole 20mg/12h for 10 days. RESULTS: Forty patients were consecutively enrolled, 53% woman, mean age 44 years. Indication for eradication: 60% non-investigated dyspepsia, 38% functional dyspepsia and 2% gastric ulcer. Four patients did not attend the eradication confirmatory breath test. The eradication rate was 61% (95% CI: 45-77%) for the protocol and 55% (40-70%) for intention-to-treat. About 76% of the patients experienced adverse events (35% diarrhea, 14% nausea and 24% metallic taste), none of which was serious. The blood tests did not show significant alterations. CONCLUSION: Acceptable H. pylori eradication rates are not achieved with rifaximin associated with standard triple therapy for 10 days.

Susceptibility to rifaximin and other antimicrobials of bacteria isolated in patients with acute gastrointestinal infections in Southeast Mexico. / Susceptibilidad a la rifaximina y otros antimicrobianos de bacterias aisladas en pacientes con infecciones gastrointestinales agudas en el sureste de México.

INTRODUCTION: Enteropathogenic bacteria isolated in Mexico City have shown a high rate of resistance to different antibiotics, with the exception of rifaximin (RIF). RIF is a nonabsorbable antibiotic that reaches high fecal concentrations (≈ 8,000µg/g). Susceptibility to antimicrobials can vary in different geographic regions. AIM: To study the susceptibility to rifaximin and other antimicrobials of enteropathogenic bacteria isolated in patients with acute diarrhea in the southeastern region of Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 614 strains of bacteria isolated from patients with acute diarrhea from 4 cities in Southeast Mexico were analyzed. An antibiogram with the following antibiotics was created: ampicillin (AMP), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (T-S), neomycin (NEO), furazolidone (FUR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), chloramphenicol (CHL), and fosfomycin (FOS), assessed through the agar diffusion method at the standard concentrations recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and RIF, assessed through microdilution at 4 concentrations. RESULTS: The bacteria were Escherichia coli (55%), as the majority, in all its pathogenic variants, Shigella (16.8%), Salmonella (15.3%), Aeromonas (7.8%), and less than 5% Campylobacter, Yersinia, Vibrio, and Plesiomonas. The accumulated overall susceptibility to RIF was 69.1, 90.8, 98.9, and 100% at concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800µg/ml, respectively. Overall susceptibility to other antibiotics was FOS 82.8%, CHL 76.8%, CIP 73.9%, FUR 64%, T-S 58.7%, NEO 55.8%, and AMP 23.8%. Susceptibility to RIF at 400 and 800µg was significantly greater than with the other antimicrobials (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The data of the present study were similar to those of a previous study carried out in Mexico City: susceptibility to RIF in > 98% of the bacterial strains and a high frequency of resistance to several common antimicrobials.

Actualización sobre enfrentamiento y manejo en encefalopatía hepática / Update on how to approach and manage hepatic encephalopathy

La encefalopatía hepática (EH) es una complicación grave y frecuente del daño hepático crónico (DHC), que se diagnostica clínicamente luego de descartar otras causas de disfunción cerebral. Su manejo consiste en identificar y corregir los factores desencadenantes, disminuir los niveles de amonio con disacáridos no reabsorbibles y eventualmente el uso de antibióticos de baja absorción intestinal, de preferencia rifaximina.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious and frequent complication of chronic liver disease and its clinical diagnosis is arrived at once other causes of cerebral dysfunction have been ruled out. It is managed by identifying and correcting triggering factors, lowering plasma ammonium levels by use of non-absorbable disaccharides and oral use of poorly absorbed antibiotics, preferably rifaximin.

Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from acute gastrointestinal infections to rifaximin and other antimicrobial agents in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance may hamper the antimicrobial management of acute gastroenteritis. Bacterial susceptibility to rifaximin, an antibiotic that achieves high fecal concentrations (up to 8,000µg/g), has not been evaluated in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To determine the susceptibility to rifaximin and other antimicrobial agents of enteropathogenic bacteria isolated from patients with acute gastroenteritis in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacterial strains were analyzed in stool samples from 1,000 patients with diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. The susceptibility to rifaximin (RIF) was tested by microdilution (<100, <200, <400 and <800µg/ml) and susceptibility to chloramphenicol (CHL), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (T-S), neomycin (NEO), furazolidone (FUR), fosfomycin (FOS), ampicillin (AMP) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) was tested by agar diffusion at the concentrations recommended by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute and the American Society for Microbiology. RESULTS: Isolated bacteria were: enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) (EPEC) 531, Shigella 120, non-Typhi Salmonella 117, Aeromonas spp. 80, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) 54, Yersinia enterocolitica 20, Campylobacter jejuni 20, Vibrio spp. 20, Plesiomonas shigelloides 20, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC 0:157) 18. The overall cumulative susceptibility to RIF at <100, <200, <400, and <800µg/ml was 70.6, 90.8, 99.3, and 100%, respectively. The overall susceptibility to each antibiotic was: AMP 32.2%, T-S 53.6%, NEO 54.1%, FUR 64.7%, CIP 67.3%, CLO 73%, and FOS 81.3%. The susceptibility to RIF <400 and RIF <800µg/ml was significantly greater than with the other antibiotics (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance of enteropathogenic bacteria to various antibiotics used in gastrointestinal infections is high. Rifaximin was active against 99-100% of these enteropathogens at reachable concentrations in the intestine with the recommended dose.

[Role of rifaximin in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy]. / Papel de la rifaximina en el tratamiento de la encefalopatía hepática.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent and serious complication of liver cirrhosis. In addition to correction of the precipitating factors, the most commonly used treatments are non-absorbable disaccharides and rifaximin. Many of the recommendations are based on current clinical practice and there are few randomized controlled trials. Currently, rifaximin should be initiated during an episode of EH if, after 24-48 hours of non-absorbable disaccharide therapy, there is no clinical improvement. In recurrent EH, it is advisable to add rifaximin in patients under non-absorbable disaccharide therapy who develop a new episode. Currently, standard treatment with rifaximin for minimal EH is not recommended. Rifaximin is effective in the acute treatment of overt encephalopathy and in preventing recurrence.

Colonic diverticular disease. Treatment and prevention.

Diverticular disease represents the most common disease affecting the colon in the Western world. Most cases remain asymptomatic, but some others will have symptoms or develop complications. The aims of treatment in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease are to prevent complications and reduce the frequency and intensity of symptoms. Fibre, probiotics, mesalazine, rifaximin and their combinations seem to be usually an effective therapy. In the uncomplicated diverticulitis, outpatient management is considered the optimal approach in the majority of patients, and oral antibiotics remain the mainstay of treatment. Admission to hospital and intravenous antibiotic are recommended only when the patient is unable to intake food orally, affected by severe comorbidity or does not improve. However, inpatient management and intravenous antibiotics are necessary in complicated diverticulitis. The role of surgery is also changing. Most diverticulitis-associated abscesses can be treated with antibiotics and/or percutaneous drainage and emergency surgery is considered only in patients with acute peritonitis. Finally, patient related factors, and not the number of recurrences, play the most important role in selecting recipients of elective surgery to avoid recurrences.

Microbiota, gastrointestinal infections, low-grade inflammation, and antibiotic therapy in irritable bowel syndrome: an evidence-based review.

BACKGROUND: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) prevalence, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), altered microbiota, low-grade inflammation, and antibiotic therapy in IBS are all controversial issues. AIMS: To conduct an evidence-based review of these factors. METHODS: A review of the literature was carried out up to July 2012, with the inclusion of additional articles as far as August 2013, all of which were analyzed through the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) system. RESULTS: 1.There is greater SIBO probability in IBS when breath tests are performed, but prevalence varies widely (2-84%). 2.The gut microbiota in individuals with IBS is different from that in healthy subjects, but a common characteristic present in all the patients has not been established. 3.The incidence and prevalence of PI-IBS varies from 9-10% and 3-17%, respectively, and the latter decreases over time. Bacterial etiology is the most frequent but post-viral and parasitic cases have been reported. 4.A sub-group of patients has increased enterochromaffin cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, and mast cells in the intestinal mucosa, but no differences between PI-IBS and non-PI-IBS have been determined. 5.Methanogenic microbiota has been associated with IBS with constipation. 6.Rifaximin at doses of 400mg TID/10days or 550mg TID/14days is effective treatment for the majority of overall symptoms and abdominal bloating in IBS. Retreatment effectiveness appears to be similar to that of the first cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are required to determine the nature of the gut microbiota in IBS and the differences in low-grade inflammation between PI-IBS and non-PI-IBS. Rifaximin has shown itself to be effective treatment for IBS, regardless of prior factors.

Rifaximina para encefalopatía hepática en niños: Caso clínico / Rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy in children: Case report

La rifaximina es un antibiótico recientemente aprobado para el tratamiento de la encefalopatía hepática en adultos. En niños mayores de 12 años se aprobó su uso en la diarrea del viajero y se lo emplea ampliamente en la enfermedad infamatoria intestinal. Comunicamos el primer caso del que tenemos conocimiento, de un paciente en edad pediátrica que recibió rifaximina para tratar la encefalopatía hepática, con buena respuesta clínica.

Rifaximin is an antibiotic recently approved for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in adults. In children more than 12 year-old, it has been approved for travelers' diarrhea and it is also widely used in infammatory bowel disease. We report, to our knowledge, the frst case of a pediatric patient who received rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy with good clinical outcome.

Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano intestinal / Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

El sobrecrecimiento bacteriano intestinal (SBI) es una condición causada por un número anormal de bacterias en el intestino delgado. Se le define como la presencia de más de 105 UFC/ ml de bacterias de tipo colónico a nivel del intestino delgado. Los principales factores que restringen la colonización bacteriana en el intestino delgado son la barrera ácida gástrica, la inmunidad mucosa y sistémica y la motilidad intestinal. Cuando estos factores fallan se desarrolla SBI. Los principales factores asociados a la presencia de esta condición son: aclorhidria o hipoclorhidria, edad avanzada, cirugías, cirrosis hepática, diabetes mellitus, diversas enfermedades inmunológicas y ausencia del receptor farsenoide X. Existe controversia acerca de su asociación con trastornos funcionales digestivos, especialmente con síndrome de intestino irritable. Se le considera como un síndrome de malabsorción aunque sus manifestaciones clínicas son variables de un sujeto a otro. Los principales síntomas son la presencia de diarrea, esteatorrea, dolor abdominal crónico, distensión abdominal y flatulencia. El estándar de oro para su diagnóstico es el aspirado y cultivo de fluido del intestino delgado. Dado que es un test invasivo suelen utilizarse para su diagnóstico los test de aire espirado, con glucosa y lactulosa. Su tratamiento implica solucionar la condición predisponente cuando es posible, y administrar antibióticos de amplio espectro, metronidazol, ciprofloxacino y la rifaximina (por 10 días) son los más utilizados. Dada su elevada tasa de recurrencia debe valuarse la posibilidad de terapia cíclica. El uso de probióticos está en estudio.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a clinical condition caused by an increased level of bacteria in the small intestine. It is defined as the presence of more than 10ª elevate a 5 CFU/ml of colonic type bacteria within the small intestine. The main factors that prevent bacterial colonization in the small intestine are gastric acid, mucosal and systemic immunity, and intestinal motility. When one or more of these mechanisms fail, SIBO can occur. The main predisposing factors for SIBO are: achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria, old age, surgeries, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, different immunological diseases and the absence of the farsenoid X receptor. The association with functional gastrointestinal diseases, particularly irritable bowel syndrome, is controversial. SIBO is generally considered a malabsorption syndrome; although clinical manifestations can be largely different in each subject. Common symptoms are diarrhea steatorrhea, chronic abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence. The culture of jejunal aspirate is considered the gold standard diagnostic test, however, due to the fact that it is an invasive test, glucose and lactulose breath tests are currently used in clinical practice. SIBO therapy is based on treatment of predisposing condition, whenever possible, and the administration of wide-spectrum antibiotics. Metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and rifaximin (10 days) are the most frecuently used antibiotics in clinical practice. SIBO recurrence is high, and future trials are needed to assess the usefullness of cyclic courses of antibiotics. The use of probiotic sis being studied.