Macrophage activation syndrome with acute hepatitis in a patient with adult-onset immunodeficiency with anti-interferon gamma antibodies: a case report

BACKGROUND

Macrophage activation syndrome is a rare disorder leading to unregulated immune activity manifesting with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, and multiorgan involvement. We report the case of a patient who presented with acute hepatitis secondary to macrophage activation syndrome diagnosed by liver biopsy and successfully treated with intravenous immune globulin, anakinra, and rituximab.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 42-year-old Laotian woman with adult-onset immunodeficiency with anti-interferon gamma antibodies presented with a fever, headache, generalized myalgia, dark urine, and reduced appetite in the setting of family members at home with similar symptoms. Her laboratory workup was notable for evidence of acute hepatitis without acute liver failure. After an unrevealing comprehensive infectious and noninvasive rheumatologic workup was completed, a liver biopsy was performed ultimately revealing the diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome. She was successfully treated with intravenous immune globulin, anakinra, and rituximab.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of maintaining macrophage activation syndrome on the differential of a patient with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in the correct clinical context and the value of a liver biopsy in making a diagnosis when noninvasive testing is unrevealing.

Endoscopic mucosal resection: tips and tricks for gastrointestinal trainees

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive, specialized endoscopic technique that is useful in resecting superficial gastrointestinal lesions that are unable to be removed by standard polypectomy. This is typically accomplished using a submucosal injection that lifts the lesion away from the muscularis propria to allow for safe resection of the polyp, either via piecemeal or en bloc resection. Over the years, several techniques exist to perform EMR including conventional EMR or hot EMR, cold EMR and underwater EMR. Despite its established advantages and safety over conventional techniques such as surgery, the adoption of endoscopic resection (and thus the education and training of gastroenterology trainees) is lagging. The goal of this article is to offer a comprehensive review of the basic principles of colonic EMR. We review the concepts of optical diagnosis including the various polyp classification systems available to determine the polyp morphology and histology. We also discuss the technical aspects of performing colonic EMR. We also outline the common adverse events associated with EMR including bleeding, perforation, postpolypectomy syndrome, and residual or recurrent polyps, and discuss preventative measures that can be taken to mitigate adverse events. Lastly, we offer practical tips for trainees who want to undertake EMR in their clinical practice.

Use of Endoscopic Suturing for the Treatment of Malignant Gastric Ulcer-Related Hemorrhage

Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to malignancy can be difficult to manage with traditional endoscopic therapies. Endoscopic suturing is a relatively new technology with limited data available regarding its use for bleeding related to peptic ulcer disease. We describe a case where endoscopic suturing was successfully used to control gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a previously known malignant ulceration that was refractory to traditional interventions.

Clear liquid diet before bowel preparation predicts successful chromoendoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chromoendoscopy (CE) has been shown to generate both a superior diagnostic yield and dysplasia detection rate than conventional white-light endoscopy and requires a high-quality bowel preparation. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the ability to perform CE in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We performed an observational study of patients with IBD undergoing colorectal cancer surveillance examinations with CE. Same-day colonoscopy surveys were used to collect patient and procedural variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to establish odds ratios of successful completion of CE.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients with IBD were enrolled. We found that patients who did not follow a clear liquid diet before colonoscopy had much lower odds of being able to undergo CE (odds ratio, 0.106; 95% confidence interval, 0.013-0.845; P < .034). Further, we found that previously identified risk factors (older age, history of diabetes mellitus, the timing and split dosing of preparation solution, and procedure time (AM or PM), chronic narcotic use, and history of constipation) for inadequate bowel preparation were not associated with the ability to perform CE.

CONCLUSIONS

Following a clear liquid diet the entire day before the procedure was highly predictive of the ability to perform CE. However, established risk factors for inadequate bowel preparation did not inhibit the ability to perform CE in our population. Endoscopists performing CE should consider recommending that patients follow a clear liquid diet the entire day before their examination.

Immunosuppression Does Not Affect Antibody Concentrations to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends using the immunization record and not serologic testing to determine immunity against measles and rubella in the general population, due to potential false negatives. However, it is unknown whether the immune response is less durable among patients who are immunosuppressed.

AIMS

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate sustained vaccine-induced measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) antibody concentrations in immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study to compare antibody concentrations following the two-dose (MMR) vaccine among 46 patients with IBD and 20 healthy controls (HC). Three IBD groups stratified by the immunosuppressive regimen that preceded study entry for at least 3 months: (1) thiopurine monotherapy, (2) anti-TNF monotherapy, or (3) combination therapy (anti-TNF agent combined with an immunomodulator) were enrolled.

RESULTS

All subjects had measurable antibody concentrations to the three vaccine viruses. Age and time since receipt of MMR series were similar in both groups. There were no difference in the antibody concentration of measles (IBD 667 mIU/ml vs HC 744 mIU/ml; p = 0.45), mumps (IBD 339 EU/ml vs HC 402 EU/ml; p = 0.62), or rubella (IBD 25 mIU/ml vs HC 62 mIU/ml; p = 0.11) among the groups. No differences in antibody concentrations were found among the IBD treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Immunosuppressed patients with IBD have sustained antibody concentrations comparable to healthy controls. Thus, gastroenterologist should follow the ACIP recommendations and use the immunization record when available to determine immunity to measles and rubella in patients with IBD. Clinical Trials Registry # NCT02434133.

Lower Sustained Diphtheria and Pertussis Antibody Concentrations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are often immunosuppressed, and those patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) therapy can have lower antibody responses to vaccines. Pertussis cases are at their highest levels in the post-vaccine era. There is little data regarding responses to the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine in IBD patients.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare sustained vaccine-induced Tdap antibody concentrations in a cohort of IBD patients stratified by medication regimens with healthy controls (HC) who had received an adult Tdap booster.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study evaluating antibody responses to Tdap vaccine among IBD patients compared to HC. Our study consisted of three patient groups: adults with IBD stratified by maintenance medication regimen: (1) thiopurine monotherapy; (2) anti-TNF monotherapy; and (3) combination therapy (anti-TNF and immunomodulator (thiopurine or methotrexate)).

RESULTS

Ninety IBD patients and 20 HC participated. Pertussis pertactin antibody concentrations were significantly lower in IBD patients (p = 0.021) compared to HC, and those on anti-TNF agents (monotherapy or combination) had lower antibody concentrations compared to those on thiopurine monotherapy (p = 0.028). Diphtheria antibody concentrations were also lower in IBD patients (p < 0.001), and those on anti-TNF agents (monotherapy or combination) had lower antibody concentrations compared to the thiopurine monotherapy group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

IBD patients on anti-TNF agents had lower antibody concentrations to diphtheria and pertussis. These findings suggest a need for different Tdap booster schedules for IBD patients on anti-TNF therapy. Clinical Trials Registry NCT02434133.

Symptomatic Microscopic Colitis Atop Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Series

Microscopic colitis (MC) has rarely been described to be the cause of watery diarrhea in those with established inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and instead has been presented as a herald syndrome to eventual IBD or incidentally found in asymptomatic IBD patients. We report a case series of 7 patients with IBD who presented with a watery diarrheal exacerbation due to new-onset MC. We propose that new-onset MC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of watery diarrhea occurring in patients with long-standing IBD and that evaluation should include colonoscopy with biopsies obtained throughout the colon.

Photocatalytic conversion of glucose in aqueous suspensions of heteropolyacid–TiO2 composites

Commercial and home prepared TiO₂ samples were functionalized with a commercial Keggin heteropolyacid (HPA) H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (PW₁₂) or with a hydrothermally home prepared K₇PW₁₁O₃₉ salt (PW₁₁).