Relationship between Helicobacter pylori virulence factors and regulatory cytokines as predictors of clinical outcome.

Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent in Chile (73%). Usually a minority of infected patients develops complications such as ulcers and gastric cancer that have been associated with the presence of virulence factors (cagA, vacA) and host T helper response (Th1/Th2). Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between strain virulence and host immune response, using a multiple regression approach for the development of a model based on data collected from H. pylori infected patients in Chile. We analyzed levels of selected cytokines determined by ELISA (interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-4) and the presence of cagA and vacA alleles polymorphisms determined by PCR in antral biopsies of 41 patients referred to endoscopy. By multiple regression analysis we established a correlation between bacterial and host factors using clinical outcome (gastritis and duodenal ulcer) as dependent variables. The selected model was described by: clinical outcome=0.867491 (cagA)+0.0131847 (IL-12/IL-10)+0.0103503 (IFN-gamma/IL-4) and it was able to explain over 90% of clinical outcomes observations (R(2)=96.4). This model considers that clinical outcomes are better explained by the interaction of host immune factors and strain virulence as a complex and interdependent mechanism.

Combined endoscopic gastrostomy ("Pull-Introducer Technique"): a new less traumatic technique for preterm and small for gestational age patients.

INTRODUCTION: The most common endoscopic gastrostomy technique is the "Pull-Through" or Gauderer-Ponsky technique. This is a transoral technique in which the internal bumper of the tube goes in through the esophagus. However this has been shown to be traumatic and often impossible in newborns and small for gestational age (SGA) patients, therefore a transabdominal technique must be used in this cases. We have developed a new transabdominal technique which combines two classical methods. This technique avoids the inconvenience of passing the internal bumper through the esophagus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have used this combined technique in five SGA patients. The technique consists of inserting a replacement tube using a Pull kit as installation device. RESULTS: There were no complications during these five procedures and the patients were fed 2 hours later. DISCUSSION: The main advantage of this technique is the use of kits that are already found in endoscopy units and endoscopists are familiar with. The disadvantage is the use of a balloon tube that can break or deflate.

Gastrostomía endoscópica -through como dispositivo de instalación / Endoscopic gastrostomy using the pull through kit as installation device

Background: The pull-through method to install endoscopic gastrostomies is not devoid of complications. Aim: To describe and show the results of a trans-abdominal method to perform endoscopic gastrostomies using the accessories available in any endoscopic facility. material and methods: The technique consists in installing an exchange tube using the pull kit, which acts as a tube installer. We attempted the procedure in 14 patients whose ages ranged from 15 days to 83 years in a regional hospital. results: In 13 patients, the tube was correctly installed using the trans-abdominal pathway and they could be fed two hours later. Three months later, 11 patients were alive and did not experience complications associated with the gastrostomy. Conclusions: This preliminary experience supports the use of the described technique to install gastrostomies.

Objetivo: Para evitar las complicaciones de la gastrostomía endoscópica (GE) hemos desarrollado un método transabdominal empleando accesorios disponibles en cualquier unidad de endoscopia y una técnica con la cual los endoscopistas están familiarizados. Describimos el método y mostramos sus resultados. material y método: Esta técnica consiste en instalar una sonda de recambio con la ayuda del kit Pull que actúa como instalador de la sonda. Hemos intentado este procedimiento en 14 pacientes con edades entre 15 días y ochenta y tres años. Esta experiencia se realizó en el Hospital de Iquique. resultados: En 13 pacientes se logró instalar la sonda por vía transabdominal y alimentar dos horas después. A los 3 meses, once permanecían vivos y no habían tenido complicaciones mayores relacionadas a su gastrostomía. Conclusión: Aunque se trata de una experiencia inicial, creemos que esta técnica de gastrostomía combinada presenta una alternativa a otras técnicas endoscópicas de acceso transabdominal.

Biopsia endoscópica del yeyuno / Endoscopic biopsy of the jejunum

En 14 niños con síndrome de malabsorción o sospecha de Enfermedad Celíaca se tornaron una o más muestras endoscópicas para biopsias del yeyuno en el hospital de Iquique. Los exámenes fueron hechos bajo anestesia disociativa, empleando panendoscopios entándar de canal amplio y pinzas de biopsia. Se obtuvieron 113 muestras que fueron estudiadas en el Departamento de Anatomía Patológica del Hospital Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna, comprobándose que eran adecuadas para el examen histopatológico