Granulation and fibrotic esophagus

There is very little information in the medical literature on fibrotic esophageal lesions. These lesions do not appear to be malignant, but are recalcitrant to different treatments including removal, and the use of esophageal stents does not discourage the lesion from continuing to grow. The cause of these lesions remains unknown and the reasons for overgrowth in stents are poorly understood. We report on a patient who presented with dysphagia and a recalcitrant fibrotic esophageal lesion.

Clinical and Pathologic Factors Associated With Colonic Spirochete (Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira aalborgi) Infection: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine what pathologic and clinical factors differentiate Brachyspira species that may be useful to clinicians and pathologists.

METHODS

We identified 21 studies of Brachyspira infection with individual patient information (n = 113) and conducted a pooled analysis comparing each species.

RESULTS

There were differences in the pathologic and clinical profiles of each Brachyspira species. Patients infected with Brachyspira pilosicoli infection were more likely to have diarrhea, fever, HIV, and immunocompromised conditions. Those patients infected with Brachyspira aalborgi were more likely to have lamina propria inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel data provide potential insights into the pathogenic mechanism(s) and the specific risk factor profile of Brachyspira species. This may be clinically useful when assessing and managing patients.

Working overseas, weakness, anaemia, and nematodes

We report the case of a 51-year-old female who went overseas for six-months to teach English and upon her return to Australia developed severe anaemia and weakness. She was admitted to hospital, and had subsequent blood transfusions and a colonoscopy which revealed nematodes. She was treated and made a full recovery.