Megacolon tóxico en paciente con COVID-19 / Toxic megacolon in a patient with Covid-19

Introducción: La pandemia derivada de la enfermedad por el nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se ha convertido en una emergencia de salud pública mundial, debido a que puede desarrollar complicaciones que amenazan la vida. Si bien se sabe que el SARS-CoV-2 causa enfermedad pulmonar sustancial, se han observado muchas manifestaciones extrapulmonares, incluyendo el compromiso del sistema gastrointestinal. El megacolon tóxico es una complicación rara pero, potencialmente, mortal que se asocia más con la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. Sin embargo, cualquier afección que conduzca a la inflamación del colon puede conducir a una dilatación tóxica. Objetivo: Se presenta el caso de un paciente con un síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda secundario a una infección por SARS-COV-2. De manera concomitante presentó un cuadro de dilatación no obstructiva del colon, asociado con toxicidad sistémica. Caso clínico: El desarrollo de megacolon tóxico en un paciente con SARS-COV-2 puede estar justificado debido a que el virus infecta las células huésped a través del receptor de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina 2. Se cumplieron los criterios diagnósticos para megacolon tóxico. Conclusiones: Esta también se encuentra altamente expresada en las células epiteliales intestinales, por lo tanto, se debe considerar su diagnóstico oportuno para una intervención temprana, en aras de reducir la tasa de mortalidad tanto como sea posible(AU)

Introduction: The pandemic derived from the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global public health emergency, due to the fact that it can develop life-threatening complications. Although SARS-CoV-2 is known to cause substantial lung disease, many extra-pulmonary manifestations have been observed, including involvement of the gastrointestinal system. Toxic mega colon is a rare but life-threatening complication most associated with inflammatory bowel disease. However, any condition that leads to inflammation of the colon can lead to toxic dilation. Objective: To report the case of a patient with ARDS secondary to a SARS-COV-2 infection. Concomitantly, she had non-obstructive dilation of the colon, associated with systemic toxicity. Clinical case report: The development of toxic mega colon in a patient with SARS-COV-2 may be justified because the virus infects host cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. The diagnostic criteria for toxic megacolon were met. Conclusions: It is also highly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, therefore, its timely diagnosis should be considered for early intervention, in order to reduce the mortality rate as much as possible(AU)

Growing consumption of antibiotics and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infections in Poland: A need to develop new solutions.

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infections (CDIs) are becoming more common and more serious. C. difficile is the etiologic agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, pseudomembranous enterocolitis, and toxic megacolon while CDIs recur in 7.9% of patients. About 42.9 CDI cases/10,000 patient-days are diagnosed each day in Europe, whereas in Poland 5.6 CDI cases/10,000 patient-days are reported; however, the median for European countries is 2.9 CDI cases/10,000 patient-days. Epidemiology of CDIs has changed in recent years and risk of developing the disease has doubled in the past decade that is largely determined by use of antibiotics. Studies show that rate of antibiotic consumption in the non-hospital sector in Poland is much higher than the European average (27 vs. 21.8 DDD/1,000 patient-days), and this value has increased in recent years. Antibiotic consumption has also increased in the hospital sector, especially in the intensive care units - 1,520 DDD/1,000 patient-days (ranging from 620 to 3,960 DDD/1,000 patient-days) - and was significantly higher than in Germany 1,305 (ranging from 463 to 2,216 DDD/1,000 patient-days) or in Sweden 1,147 (ranging from 605 to 2,134 DDD/1,000 patient-days). The recent rise in CDI incidence has prompted a search for alternative treatments. Great hope is placed in probiotics, bacteriocins, monoclonal antibodies, bacteriophages, and developing new vaccines.

Incidence, features, in-hospital outcomes and predictors of in-hospital mortality associated with toxic megacolon hospitalizations in the United States.

Toxic megacolon (TM) is a potentially fatal condition characterized by non-obstructive colonic dilatation and systemic toxicity. It is most commonly caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Limited data for TM are available demonstrating incidence, in-hospital outcomes and predictors of mortality. We sought to investigate incidence, characteristics, mortality and predictors of mortality associated with it. Data were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)'s Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from January 2010 through December 2014. An analysis was performed on SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Patients below 18 years were excluded. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was developed to analyze predictors of mortality. Thus, 8139 (weighted) cases of TM were diagnosed between 2010 and 2014. TM is more prevalent in women (56.4%) than in men (43.6%), with a mean age of onset at 62.4 years, affecting whites (79.7%) more than non-whites. The most common reason for hospital admission included IBD (51.6%) followed by septicemia (10.2%) and intestinal infections (4.1%). Mean length of stay was 9.5 days and overall in-hospital mortality was 7.9%. Other complications included surgical resection of the large intestine (11.5%) and bowel obstruction (10.9%). Higher age, neurological disorder, coagulopathy, chronic pulmonary disease, heart failure, and renal failure were associated with greater risk of in-hospital mortality. TM is a serious condition with high in-hospital mortality. Management of TM requires an inter-disciplinary team approach with close monitoring. Patients with positive predictors in our study require special attention to prevent excessive in-hospital mortality.

Factors Associated With Complications of Clostridium difficile Infection in a Multicenter Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea and may result in severe complications including death. We conducted a prospective study to identify risk factors for complications of CDI (cCDI). METHODS: Adult inpatients with confirmed CDI in 10 Canadian hospitals were enrolled and followed for 90 days. Potential risk factors were measured within 24 hours of diagnosis. Isolates were typed by polymerase chain reaction ribotyping. cCDI was defined as 1 or more of the following: colonic perforation, toxic megacolon, colectomy, admission to an intensive care unit for cCDI, or if CDI contributed to death within 30 days of enrollment. Risk factors for cCDI were investigated by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1380 patients were enrolled. cCDI was observed in 8% of patients. The ribotype was identified in 922 patients, of whom 52% were infected with R027. Age ≥ 80 years, heart rate >90/minute, respiratory rate >20/minute, white cell count <4 × 10(9)/L or ≥ 20 × 10(9)/L, albumin <25 g/L, blood urea nitrogen >7 mmol/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 150 mg/L were independently associated with cCDI. A higher frequency of cCDI was observed among R027-infected patients (10.9% vs 7.2%), but the association was not significant in adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CDI complications were associated with older age, abnormal blood tests, and abnormal vital signs. These factors, which are readily available to clinicians at the time of diagnosis, could be used for outcome prediction and risk stratification to select patients who may need closer monitoring or more aggressive therapy.

[Frequency, clinical evolution and prognosis of toxic megacolon]. / Frecuencia, evolución clínica y pronóstico del megacolon tóxico.

INTRODUCTION: Toxic megacolon (MT) is a potentially lethal complication of inflammatory, ischemic and infectious colitis. Usually it is related to ulcerative nonspecific colitis or Crohn disease. Recently it has been observed an increased in pseudomembranous colitis as cause of TM. The aim of this study is to describe the frequency, clinical evolution and prognosis of patients with TM. METHODS: Retrospective study, from January 2009 to January 2014 1500 patients were hospitalized in the Department of Coloproctology. We included 13 of 1500 patients with diagnosis of TM according to Jalan criteria and surgically corroborated. To determine the averages descriptive statistics was used. RESULTS: We studied 13 patients with TM (79.9% male and 20.1% female), the average age was 47.69±18.3 years. The most frequently associated diseases were: nonspecific ulcerative colitis (30.8%), pseudomembranous colitis (30.8%), neutropenic colitis (23.1%), Crohn Disease (7.7%) and ischemic colitis (7.7%). Subtotal colectomy plus terminal ileostomy was done in 84.6%, extended right hemicolectomy with ileostomy plus mucous fistula in 7.7% and extended right hemicolectomy with ileostomy plus Hartmann pouch in 7.7%. The mortality was 61.5%. The prevalence in the 5 years was 13 of 1500 (0.86%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of TM is low with a high mortality. A prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the poor prognosis in these patients.

Introducción: el megacolon tóxico (MT) es una complicación potencialmente mortal de la colitis infl amatoria, isquémica e infecciosa. Usualmente se relaciona con la colitis ulcerosa inespecífica y la colitis de Crohn. Recientemente, se ha observado un repunte de la colitis pseudomembranosa como causa del MT. El objetivo fue describir la frecuencia, evolución clínica y pronóstico de los pacientes con MT.Métodos: estudio retrospectivo de enero de 2009 a enero de 2014 se hospitalizaron 1500 pacientes en el departamento de Coloproctología. De estos pacientes, se incluyeron a 13 de ellos con diagnóstico de MT de acuerdo a los criterios de Jalan y corroborados por cirugía. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva.Resultados: se estudiaron 13 pacientes con MT. Las enfermedades más frecuentemente asociadas al MT fueron: colitis ulcerosa inespecífica, colitis pseudomembranosa y colitis neutropénica, enfermedad de Crohn y colitis isquémica. En el 84.6 % se realizó colectomía subtotal más ileostomía terminal; hemicolectomía derecha extendida con ileostomía más fístula mucosa en el 7.7 %, y hemicolectomía derecha extendida con ileostomía más bolsa de Hartmann en el 7.7 %. La mortalidad fue del 61.5 %. La prevalencia en los 5 años fue de 13/1500 pacientes (0.86 %).Conclusiones: la prevalencia del MT es baja, con alta mortalidad. El diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos puede mejorar el mal pronóstico de estos pacientes.

Complicated Clostridium difficile colitis in children with cystic fibrosis: association with gastric acid suppression?

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have several risk factors for Clostridium difficile colonization such as frequent hospitalization and exposure to a broad array of antibiotics utilized for the control, eradication, and prophylaxis of respiratory pathogens. However, despite this high rate of colonization, the occurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in CF is rare. We report three children with CF who presented with severe community-associated CDI. All three children had complicated courses and one died. These children were in good health without significant morbidities, and were not frequently hospitalized nor did they receive frequent antibiotic courses. The occurrence of 3 severe cases within a 15-month period prompted us to report these cases and review the literature in regard to CDI. We reviewed the CF GI tract as possible risk factors for a high rate of C. difficile colonization in individuals with CF. Since a high percentage of individuals with CF are on gastric acid blocking agents, we also focused on gastric acid suppression as a potential risk factor for CDI.

Clostridium difficile infection: a multicenter study of epidemiology and outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of hospital-associated infection in the United States. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of C. difficile infection among mechanically ventilated patients within the ICUs of three academic hospitals and secondarily describe the influence of C. difficile infection on the outcomes of these patients. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: ICUs at three teaching hospitals: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and Creighton University Medical Center over a 2-year period. PATIENTS: All hospitalized patients requiring mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 hours within an ICU were eligible for inclusion. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 5,852 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU were included. Three hundred eighty-six (6.6%) patients with development of C. difficile infection while in the hospital (5.39 cases/1,000 patient days). Septic shock complicating C. difficile infection occurred in 34.7% of patients. Compared with patients without C. difficile infection (n = 5,466), patients with C. difficile infection had a similar hospital mortality rate (25.1% vs 26.3%, p = 0.638). Patients with C. difficile infection were significantly more likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility (42.4% vs 31.9%, p < 0.001), and the median hospital (23 d vs 15 d, p < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (12 d vs 8 d, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly longer in patients with C. difficile infection. CONCLUSIONS: Clostridium difficile infection is a relatively common nosocomial infection in mechanically ventilated patients and is associated with prolonged length of hospital and ICU stay, and increased need for skilled nursing care or rehabilitation following hospital discharge.

Recent advances in understanding ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis, one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by inflammation of the large bowel with constant involvement of the rectum, and a possible continuous retrograde distribution up to the cecum. Typical macroscopic lesions are mucosal ulcerations, with immune cell infiltration and cryptic abscesses at histology. Ulcerative colitis usually manifests with bloody diarrhea, is associated with a number of extra-intestinal manifestations, and may be acutely complicated by toxic megacolon. Longstanding disease may predispose to the development of colorectal cancer. Therapeutic options include mesalazine, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and biologic agents; however, if these treatments fail, the only available therapeutic choice remaining is the surgical removal of the colon. This review emphasizes novel concepts in the basic aspects of ulcerative colitis, and, in addition to the current clinical and diagnostic knowledge, it also describes new treatment options for this condition.

Established and potential risk factors for Clostridum difficile infection.

Clostridium difficile is the aetiological agent for almost all cases of pseudo membranous colitis and 15-25% of antibiotic associated diarrhoea. In recent years, C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) has been increasing in frequency and severity due to the emergence of virulent strains. Severe cases of toxic mega colon may be associated with mortality rates of 24-38%. The prevalence of CDAD is global and the incidence varies considerably from place to place. In the initial stages of its discovery, C. difficile infection was regarded mainly as an outcome of antibiotic intake and not as a life threatening disease. Intervention by man has produced conditions making C. difficile a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The recent outbreak of CDAD in Quebec has sent the alarm bells ringing. Apart from a threefold increase in the incidence of CDAD, clinicians have also reported a higher number of cases involving toxic mega colon, colectomy or death. Among all the risk factors, inclusive of the host and the environmental factors, antibiotics are the most important ones. Surgical patients comprise 55-75% of all patients with CDAD due to the fact that perioperative prophylaxis requires the use of antibiotics. However, other drugs such as immunosuppressants and proton pump inhibitors are also important risk factors. Thus CDAD is a growing nosocomial and public health challenge. Additionally, the recognition of community acquired CDAD signals the presence of several risk factors. In this review, the established and potential risk factors of CDAD, along with the epidemiology, diagnostic modalities, management and preventive measures of the disease have been elaborated.

The identification and treatment of toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis.

Toxic megacolon is an infrequently occurring, potentially life-threatening complication of pseudomembranous colitis. Although toxic megacolon may be considered rare, incidence is expected to increase because of the rapidly increased prevalence of pseudomembranous colitis. This article discusses the pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis. Critical care nurses should be aware of the disease to intervene early and increase the chance of the patient's survival.

Mycotic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Review and case report.

A 74-year-old male presented with bilateral invalidating claudication. A bilateral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stenting of both superficial femoral arteries was performed but complicated by an urosepsis with Escherichia coli and a septic phlebitis at the site of an intravenous line. The phlebitis was complicated by a local abcedation for which incision and drainage were performed. One month after discharge he was readmitted at our hospital with septic fever and positive hemocultures for Escherichia coli. Positron emission tomography-computed tomographic scan (PET/CT-scan) showed a mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. Because no cryopreserved donor aorta was available and the aneurysm size rapidly increased, an open in situ repair was performed with a Dacron silver prosthesis soaked in rifampicin. His recovery was further complicated by a perforated toxic megacolon for which a subtotal colectomy was performed. Further recovery was uncomplicated and 10 months after the aortic repair patient is still free from infection.

A new look at toxic megacolon: an update and review of incidence, etiology, pathogenesis, and management.

Toxic megacolon (TM) is an infrequent but devastating complication of colitis. Numerous forms of colonic inflammation can give rise to TM but the majority occur in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently there has been a marked increase in the number of reports of TM associated with pseudomembranous colitis. Because of the associated high morbidity and mortality, early recognition and management of TM is of paramount importance. The mechanisms involved in development of TM are not clearly delineated, but chemical mediators such as nitric oxide and interleukins may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. New evidence suggests that TM and its associated morbidity may be predicted by the extent of small bowel and gastric distension in patients with colitis. CT scanning may also play an important role the management of TM, in that it may be the only noninvasive mode to detect subclinical perforations and abscesses. Management involves close medical attention, supportive care, and treatment of the underlying colitis. Possible exacerbating factors such as narcotic and anticholinergic medications must be withdrawn, and colonic decompression via tube drainage or positional techniques must be considered. Signs of progression or complications of the disease must be treated aggressively with surgical intervention, as delay is associated with even greater risk of mortality.

Toxic megacolon due to Salmonella: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Salmonella colitis is an unusual cause of toxic megacolon. We provide an overview of this condition and report a single case. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 62-year-old man underwent subtotal colectomy with ileostomy formation for toxic megacolon due to Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 colitis, followed by reversal with an ileorectal anastomosis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven cases have been described in the literature. These were first treated conservatively, with antibiotics and systemic/local steroids, and some proceded to surgery. CONCLUSION: Salmonella is a rare cause of toxic megacolon, but it can behave opportunistically in patients with ulcerative colitis. S. enteritidis phage type 4 is typically transmitted via raw or uncooked eggs in most cases of salmonellosis attributed to this organism. The disease is rapidly progressive, and death may ensue due to septicaemia and/or perforation. Toxic megacolon is treated aggressively, initially medically, with high-dose steroids and attention to fluid balance, ulcerative colitis being the usual working diagnosis. Once Salmonella is cultured, appropriate antibiotics are commenced. Non-surgical decompression may be appropriate in some cases, but early surgical intervention is required for failed response to these measures or rapid deterioration in the patient's condition. Following initial surgery - often subtotal colectomy and ileostomy formation - continuity may be restored. For most patients with ulcerative colitis ileal pouch anal anastomosis is the operation of choice, but ileorectal anastomosis may be safely performed for Salmonella-induced toxic megacolon. Prevention is better than cure, and therefore health education needs to reinforce avoidance of use of raw or uncooked eggs.

Tratamento cirúrgico do megacólon tóxico / Surgical treatment of toxic megacolon

O megacólon tóxico (MT) pode ser uma complicaçäo fatal da retocolite ulcerativa (RU) e, mais raramente, da doença de Crohn (DC). Entre 1969 e 1996, 20 pacientes portadores de doença inflamatória intestinal foram operados de MT com diagnóstico sendo feito clínica e laboratorialmente (19 - RU e 1 - DC). Todos foram submetidos a laparotomia, sendo realizada colectomia total com ileostomia terminal. No tratamento do coto retal, a preferência foi pelo seu fechamento primário, mas alguns casos tiveram seus retos deixados abertos como fítula mucosa. A mortalidade observada (15 por cento) foi atribuída principalmente ao diagnóstico tardio. Os pacientes com boa evoluçäo pós-operatória foram posteriormente submetidos à cirurgia de recontruçäo do trânsito intestinal. Em conclusäo, o diagnóstico de MT e a conduta cirúrgica na urgência devem ser feitos o mais precocemente possível, o que sugere estar associado a melhor prognóstico desta complicaçäo

Toxic megacolon.

Toxic megacolon, its incidence, differential diagnosis, and presenting signs and symptoms are reviewed in this article. The typical histologic and radiographic features are described with a review of the potential triggering factors. An outline of requirements for adequate monitoring of the patient with toxic megacolon is provided. The general management and specific medical management are discussed in detail, and the medical outcome with both medical and surgical intervention is reviewed.

[Chronic inflammatory intestinal disease in Catalonia (Barcelona and Gerona)]. / Enfermedad inflamatoria crónica intestinal en Cataluña (Barcelona y Gerona).

We show the results of a retrospective study carried out during ten years (1978-1987), in Catalonia in the provinces of Barcelona and Gerona. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory chronic bowel disease in our country, its clinical aspects, management and long term survival. An epidemiological inquiry was sent to all the hospitals and gastroenterologists of Catalonia. Nine hundred and seventy six answers were received from 20 Hospitals and four specialists. All of them were revised by the Research Committee, and 761 were validated for their inclusion in the study. The prevalence of the disease was similar both in Barcelona (19 per 100,000) and Gerona (18 per 100,000). The incidence of ulcerative colitis increased during the study, from 0.4 in 1978 to 0.8 in 1987, with a peak of maximum incidence (1.0 per 100,000) in 1985. In the same way, an increase in the incidence of Crohn's disease from 0.2 to 0.7 per 100,000, was observed. The mean incidence per year was 0.6 and 0.4 respectively, similar to the incidence observed in other Spanish regions during the same period of time. Finally we show the most important clinical and therapeutic aspects as well as the survival data.

Toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The clinical, laboratory and radiological data of 17 cases of toxic megacolon (TM) complicating either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), referred to the Department of Clinica Chirurgica II of the University of Bologna in a twenty year-period, are reviewed. The surgical strategies and results are compared and discussed, and the mortality and morbidity considered along with the important advances in resuscitative medicine and the employment of total parenteral nutrition (TPN).