Proctitis: a glance beyond inflammatory bowel diseases

Efficacy and safety of video-assisted anal fistula treatment in anorectal fistula: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

By searching relevant literature, the recurrence rate, complication rate after video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT), and efficacy and safety of the treatment were analyzed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Articles that reported the outcomes of VAAFT up to December 2020 were searched in PubMed (Medline) and Cochrane Library, in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) screening guidelines. Two researchers independently completed the whole process from screening and inclusion to quality evaluation and bias risk assessment, and the data was included in the RevMan 5.3 software for analysis. The main outcomes were demographic data of patients, detection rate, classification of internal opening of anorectal fistula, postoperative recurrence rate, and incidence of complications.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 10 articles were included (779 patients). The average age of the patients was 44 years old, average operation time was 60 min, and the average follow-up time was 22 months. The ratio of male to female was 2.4:1, the ratio of high anorectal fistula to low anorectal fistula was 6.6:1, the detection rate of internal openings was 98%, the weighted recurrence rate was 24%, and the weighted complication rate was 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

VAAFT is effective and safe in the treatment of anorectal fistulas.

British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) United Kingdom national guideline for the management of sexually transmitted enteric infections 2023

This is the first British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) national guideline for the management of sexually transmitted enteric infections (STEI). This guideline is primarily aimed for level 3 sexual health clinics; however, it may also be applicable to other settings such as primary care or other hospital departments where individuals with STEI may present. This guideline makes recommendations on testing, management, partner notification and public health control of STEI.

CT findings of proctitis in two patients with Mpox

Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) has emerged as a public health crisis in 2022 with recent global spread outside of endemic regions and secondary transmission of this zoonotic disease between humans. The current outbreak predominantly affects men who have sex with men (MSM). Classically, Mpox presents with fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy; however, in the MSM population, genital/perianal skin lesions and rectal pain due to proctitis are commonly present. We present the CT findings of active proctitis in two cases of Mpox infection.

Diarrhea due to parasites: a short, updated point of view from the clinical setting

Diarrhea represents a common manifestation of several gastrointestinal diseases. Infectious agents are the most common causes of diarrhea in developing countries, where the inadequate sanitation and hygiene are prevalent. In these countries, the scarcity of preventive measures as well as the limited health resources cause a substantial increase in incidence, morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases, including diarrhea. Currently, with the availability of rapid and inexpensive air transportation millions of people travel for tourism, work and immigration from developing countries to industrialized countries and vice versa. This leads to a high number of imported pathogens such as parasites causing infectious diarrhea. Importantly, while most cases of parasitic diarrhea are short, mild and self-limited, other cases may be associated with chronic diarrhea and serious morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current review was to provide an update, from a clinician's point of view, of the main parasites causing diarrhea, with a focus on their diagnosis and management in the clinical setting.