Indian Journal of Gastroenterology最新文献

Background and objectives: Kasai-portoenterostomy (KPE) is the initial attempt to restore the bile flow and salvage the native liver in biliary atresia (BA) patients. Cholangitis is a frequent complication after KPE and adequate treatment impacts the long-term outcome. The aim of our study is to assess the severity of cholangitis episodes in a cohort of BA patients post KPE, identify the causative agents, using several diagnostic methods, as well as to assess the tolerability and efficacy of our antimicrobial protocol.

Methods: This analytical retrospective observational study, conducted at Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University Pediatric Hospital, included infants and children with cholangitis post-KPE enrolled over 30 months. Clinical data collection, basic laboratory investigations inflammatory markers, B-D glucan, blood culture, 16SrDNA, 18SrDNA were performed in all enrolled patients. Cholangitis episodes were treated with intravenous antibiotics according to our antimicrobial protocol that has been implemented in conjunction with the antimicrobial stewardship committee.

Results: This study included 30 post-KPE patients, who experienced 47 episodes of cholangitis. Twenty-five episodes of cholangitis were culture positive cholangitis (positive blood culture and/or PCR results and/or liver biopsy). Klebsiella Variicola and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most prevalent pathogens in 13 and seven cultures, respectively. Meropenem was the most successful antibiotic in the eradication of infection in 11(23.4%) episodes. Culture positive cholangitis showed increased incidence of sepsis and worse outcome in comparison to culture negative cholangitis. The severity of cholangitis was classified into 16 patients (34%) with infection, 28 (60%) sepsis, one (2%) severe sepsis and two (4%) septic shock.

Conclusion: Almost half of cholangitis episodes were culture-positive; the commonest pathogen was Klebsiella, showing more severe sepsis and worse outcome.

Background and objectives: Pune, western India, was earlier identified as hyperendemic for hepatitis A. Subsequently, we noted age and socio-economic status-dependent reduction in hepatitis A virus (HAV) prevalence. To assess the situation in different parts of India, this multicentric, hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in four metropolitan cities in the northern/southern/eastern/western regions.

Methods: As per age group-anti-HAV-positivity-specific sample size calculations (1-40 years), 496 samples/centre were collected from Pune, Kolkata, Chennai and Ludhiana. All samples were tested for anti-HAV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Overall, 44.9% of children up to five years of age were anti-HAV antibody-positive (ELISA), with a steady increase reaching 92.9% by the age of 26-40 years. Importantly, 782/1756 (44.5%) of the total population ≤ 15 years was anti-HAV negative and hence susceptible to HAV. The city-wise analysis documented similar patterns with a few differences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of HAV endemicity, Pune, Chennai and Ludhiana were classified as cities with intermediate endemicity, whereas Kolkata with lower seroprevalence had low endemicity. Compared to the 2011-2012 survey anti-HAV positivity remained unchanged in the other cities except for the rise in Chennai. Apart from age, other risk factors varied in different cities. A comparison of socio-economic-dependent, age-stratified serosurveys conducted during 1982, 1992, 1998, 2017 and 2022 in Pune documented the shift from high to intermediate endemicity in the population with high socio-economic status in 1998 and lower-middle socio-economic strata in 2017.

Conclusion: The lowering of anti-HAV positivity reflects a definite improvement in sanitation and voluntary vaccination, but seems to have slowed down during recent years. Additional, well-defined efforts are necessary.

Introduction: Radiological interventions in Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) include anatomical recanalization of the hepatic vein (HV), inferior vena cava (IVC) angioplasty and stenting. In case of technical difficulty and anatomical non-feasibility, an ultrasound-guided direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPSS) is created. We aimed at evaluating the outcome of patients managed with DIPSS and comparing it with anatomical recanalization.

Methods: We retrieved the data of patients with BCS managed at our institution between 2011 and 2021. Safety, efficacy and long-term outcomes were assessed and compared between radiological interventions.

Results: Total 236 patients with BCS underwent radiological intervention in the study period. As many as 96 patients were excluded and 140 patients were included in the final analysis. The majority were males (F:M = 54:86). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 30 years (interquartile range: 25-37 years). The median follow-up period was 58 (14-72) months. On imaging, 53% (74) patients had combined HV and IVC block followed by isolated HV block in 54 patients (38.5%) and isolated IVC block in 12 patients (8.5%). As many as 32 patients were managed by DIPSS. Among others, 56 patients underwent IVC angioplasty with HV stenting and 30 required HV angioplasty and stenting. DIPSS had a comparable technical success rate (100% vs. 98.2% vs. 96%, respectively p > 0.5). However, the median stent patency was higher in the DIPSS group (72 [48-96] months) compared to IVC angioplasty and HV stenting (46 [36-60] months; p = 0.02) and HV angioplasty-stenting (42 [30-48] months; p = 0.04) groups. They had similar re-thrombosis rates (28%, 34% and 21%, respectively; p > 0.05). Overall complications were rare (3.5%) and no patient in the DIPSS group had adverse events.

Conclusion: DIPSS is a safe and effective salvage procedure with an excellent long-term outcome in patients with BCS. It has a longer median stent patency compared to the anatomical recanalization group.