RESUMEN

The spectrum of liver disease among HIV-infected patients is changing. In the era of antiretroviral therapy, opportunistic infections are diminishing and deranged liver function appears to be due usually to drug-induced liver injury, alcohol, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or chronic hepatitis B. To test this hypothesis, 98 HIV-positive patients with deranged liver function were compared with matched HIV-positive patients with normal liver function and likewise matched HIV-negative patients with normal liver function tests.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The existence of non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been debated. Indeed, the intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms of many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but without celiac disease or wheat allergy have been shown to improve on a gluten-free diet. Therefore, this study set out to evaluate the effects of gluten on IBS symptoms. METHODS: We performed a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled rechallenge trial in a tertiary care hospital with IBS patients who fulfilled the Rome III criteria. Patients with celiac disease and wheat allergy were appropriately excluded. The participants were administered a gluten-free diet for 4 weeks and were asked to complete a symptom-based questionnaire to assess their overall symptoms, abdominal pain, bloating, wind, and tiredness on the visual analog scale (0-100) at the baseline and every week thereafter. The participants who showed improvement were randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive either a placebo (gluten-free breads) or gluten (whole cereal breads) as a rechallenge for the next 4 weeks. RESULTS: In line with the protocol analysis, 60 patients completed the study. The overall symptom score on the visual analog scale was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the patients in the gluten intervention group scored significantly higher in terms of abdominal pain, bloating, and tiredness (P<0.05), and their symptoms worsened within 1 week of the rechallenge. CONCLUSIONS: A gluten diet may worsen the symptoms of IBS patients. Therefore, some form of gluten sensitivity other than celiac disease exists in some of them, and patients with IBS may benefit from gluten restrictions.

RESUMEN

Hepatic tuberculosis presents one of the rare forms of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. It is usually secondary to infection in the lung or the gut. Tuberculous liver abscess is the rarer manifestation even in endemic areas of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hepatogastric fistula secondary to tuberculous liver abscess has never been reported in literature. We herein report a case of a disseminated tuberculous liver abscess complicated by hepatogastric fistula, which posed a considerable diagnostic challenge. It was treated successfully with anti tubercular drugs. Liver abscess with atypical features and non responsive to antibiotics should raise the suspicious of tuberculosis or fungal infections.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To study the extent of early atherosclerosis in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the correlation between CIMT, serum homocysteine level and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in UC. METHODS: We studied 60 UC patients and 60 healthy controls. Individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis were excluded from the study. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, HOMA-IR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels were measured in all participants. CIMT was measured using a B-mode duplex imaging study. RESULTS: UC patients had significantly higher CIMT than controls (P < 0.05). ESR, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and serum homocysteine levels were also significantly higher in UC patients (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant correlations between: (i) CIMT and patients' age, duration of UC, HOMA-IR, and homocysteine level (P < 0.05); (ii) serum homocysteine and duration of UC, fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR and CIMT (P < 0.01); (iii) HOMA-IR and age, duration of UC, serum homocysteine and CIMT (P < 0.01). Multi-regression models showed that serum homocysteine affects CIMT and duration of UC independently, whereas participants' age and duration of UC affects HOMA-IR independently. CONCLUSIONS: Higher CIMT might indicate subclinical atherosclerosis in UC patients. Patients' age, duration of UC, HOMA-IR and homocysteine levels are important factors associated with increased CIMT.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Amebic liver abscess is a parasitic disease which is often encountered in tropical countries. A hepatogastric fistula secondary to an amebic liver abscess is a rare complication of this disease and there are only a handful of reported cases in literature. Here we present a case of an amebic liver abscess which was complicated with the development of a hepatogastric fistula. The patient presented with the Jaundice, pain and distension of abdomen. The Jaundice and pain improved partially after he had an episode of brownish black colored increase in frequency of stools for 5 to 6 d. Patient also had ascites and anemia. He was a chronic alcohol drinker. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed in view of the above findings. It showed a fistulous opening with bilious secretions along the lesser curvature of the stomach. On imaging multiple liver abscesses seen including one in sub capsular location. The patient was managed conservatively with antiamebic medications along with proton pump inhibitors. The pigtail drainage of the sub capsular abscess was done. The patient improved significantly. The repeat endoscopy performed after about two months showed reduction in fistula size. A review of the literature shows that hepatogastric fistulas can be managed conservatively with medications and drainage, endoscopically with biliary stenting or with surgical excision.

RESUMEN

Killian-Jamieson (K-J) diverticulum is an outpouching from the lateral wall of the proximal cervical oesophagus and is less commonly encountered compared to Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). These diverticulae arise between the fibers of the cricopharyngeus muscle superiorly and longitudinal muscle of the oesophagus inferiorly. In this report we present a case of a symptomatic Killian Jamieson diverticulum and review the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and radiological findings that distinguish it from the more common Zenker's diverticulum.

Asunto(s)