Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica最新文献

Background: Previous history of COVID-19 infection is a natural booster of the vaccine response in the general population. The response to COVID-19 vaccines is lessened in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients on selected class of immunosuppressive treatments.

Aims: The study was to assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG antibody response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients with a history of COVID-19 infection.

Patients and methods: This single-center prospective study involved 504 Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients. Demographic data and clinical data were gathered through questionnaires and patient charts. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific and antinucleocapsid antibody levels were measured at T1, T2 (after the 2-dose series), and T3 or T4 (booster vaccine).

Results: This study included 504 Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients, and 234 completed one year follow-up with blood tests. Positive anti-nucleocapsid serology or history of COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with increased median anti- SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG titers after the 2-dose series (1930 BAU/mL vs. 521 BAU/mL p < 0.0001) and the booster vaccine (4390 BAU/mL vs. 2160 BAU/mL, p = 0.0156). Multivariate analysis showed that higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG levels were independently associated with anti-nucleocapsid antibodies at T2 (OR=2.23, p < 0.0001) and T3 (OR=1.72, p = 0.00011). Immunosuppressive treatments did not impact the antibody response or levels in patients with a history of COVID-19 infection or positive anti-nucleocapsid serology.

Conclusions: In Inflammatory Bowel Disease, prior COVID-19 infection or positive anti-nucleocapsid serology leads to increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG levels after vaccination, regardless of immunosuppressive treatments. This emphasizes the significance of accounting for previous infection in vaccination approaches.

Background: NAFLD is thought to affect approximately one-fourth of the world's population. Therefore, we evaluated the role of serum complement and immunoglobulins in the NAFLD pathogenesis.

Patients and methods: 200 participants were used in this study, divided into two groups; Group I: 100 NAFLD patients and Group II: 100 healthy volunteers. The diagnosis of NAFLD is based on non-invasive methods, following the EASL guideline 2022. IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C4 assays were performed on all participants.

Results: When the immunological profiles of patients with NAFLD and healthy controls were compared, it was found that the mean IgA in NAFLD patients was (4.20±5.07), whereas the mean IgA in healthy controls was (2.22±1.05) (P=0.000). Additionally, a significant increase in IgG was found in NAFLD patients (17.08±3.87) compared with healthy controls (11.59±3.34), with a P value of (p<0.001). complement C3 and complement C4 levels significantly increased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients (1.28± 0.61 and 0.40 ± 0.19, respectively), compared to healthy controls (0.90 ±0.27 and 0.30 ±0.12, respectively), with a significant P value (p<0.001 for each).

Conclusions: Elevated IgA, IgG, C3 and C4 exist in patients with NAFLD and could be associated with fatty liver development and progression of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection predisposes to malignant and non-malignant diseases warranting eradication. In Belgium, resistance rates for clarithromycin demonstrate regional variations making the use of standard triple therapy (STT) borderline acceptable. According to a recent Belgian survey, STT and bismuth-based quadruple therapy (BQT), are equally frequent prescribed as first line treatment for treatment naïve Hp positive patients. This study aims to evaluate the eradication rates (ER) of BQT versus STT.

Methods: Multicentre, non-blinded randomized, prospective study comparing ER in treatment-naïve Hp positive patients. ER were compared by intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis.

Results: Overall 250 patients were included (STT 126, BQT 124). Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up (6,8%). No significant difference in ER between BQT and STT was observed in ITT (73% vs 68%, p= 0,54) neither in PP analysis (81% vs 75%, p= 0,33). Side effects and endoscopic findings were comparable between groups. Post-hoc analysis showed no differences according to gender or site allocation.

Conclusion: The numerical advantage of BQT did not translate in a significant improvement of ER when compared with STT. These results question the cost-effectiveness of BQT, while confirming the suboptimal eradication rates on STT. A nationwide monitoring of resistance patterns, maximal investments in treatment adherence as well as a detailed follow-up of the changing treatment landscape are mandatory to continuously optimise Hp ER in Belgium.

A 46-year-old woman presented at the emergency department because of acute hepatitis with jaundice. After hepatological work-up including liver biopsy, drug induced liver disease (DILI) was suspected. Patient recovered completely within a few months. One year later she presented again with jaundice due to acute hepatitis. Vaping was the only agent that could be identified as causative agent for DILI. After VAPING cessation, the hepatitis resolved completely. Calculated RUCAM score was 10, making the diagnosis of toxic hepatitis very likely. During follow-up liver tests remained normal. This is the first report of severe DILI secondary to the use of e-cigarettes. In future vaping can be included in the differential diagnosis of DILI.