A twenty-year history of alveolar echinococcosis: analysis of a series of 117 patients from eastern France

OBJECTIVES

Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver is a very rare and severe parasitic disease due to the growth of the larva of Echinococcus multilocularis. The aim of this paper was to describe a 20-year study of the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of alveolar echinococcosis in eastern France.

DESIGN

One hundred and seventeen consecutive cases, diagnosed and followed in our liver unit, were studied from 1972 to 1993.

METHODS

Data from 85 patients followed since 1983 (period B) were compared to data from a first series of 32 patients (period A) collected from 1972 to 1982; 1983 was chosen as the cut-off year because of the numerous changes that occurred in the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of the disease at this time, in particular the introduction of parasitostatic benzimidazoles.

RESULTS

The results of patient follow-up were evaluated in December 1997. The cumulative prevalence was 2.5 per 100,000 persons in period A whereas it reached 6.6 per 100,000 in period B. The annual incidence in period B was 7.3 on average, compared with 2.7 in period A. Twenty-nine per cent of patients from period B were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis compared with 10% in period A. This change was correlated with less advanced liver lesions, and was related to the extensive use of abdominal ultrasound, and from 1987, serological screening. Curative resections were performed in 24% of the cases in period B versus only 3% in period A. From 1986, liver transplantations were performed in eight patients from period A and 13 patients from period B. In period B, palliative surgery was frequently replaced by radiological non-operative procedures to treat abscesses and jaundice. From 1982, 73 patients received benzimidazoles for a period of time ranging from 4 to 138 months. Stabilization of the lesions was observed in two-thirds of the patients. Episodes of jaundice or digestive haemorrhage due to portal hypertension were 31.5 and 11 times less frequent respectively in patients from period B compared with period A. Actuarial survival at 5 years improved from 67% in period A to 88% in period B in patients of similar age.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical changes in the diagnosis and the management of alveolar echinococcosis have occurred during the last decade. Together they have contributed to an improvement in the status of the patients affected by this very severe parasitic disease.

Primary disease recurrence after liver transplantation for alveolar echinococcosis: long-term evaluation in 15 patients

Between 1986 and 1991, 21 patients received liver grafts in our center for incurable alveolar echinococcosis (AE). The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term results in 15 of these 21 patients who survived more than 1 year after undergoing a liver transplantation (LT). The follow-up, mainly aimed at the diagnosis of recurrence, consisted of repeated radiological and specific immunological investigations. The role of pre- and post-LT benzimidazole (BZM) therapy was also evaluated. Among the 15 patients, 8 patients had a palliative LT related to previously known pulmonary AE metastases and/or inextirpable abdominal parasitic foci. In the 7 remaining patients, LT was considered curative. In June 1998, the mean follow-up duration was 96 months (range: 28-138 months). Five late deaths occurred, 2 of them were directly related to residual AE. A reinfection of the graft was observed in 4 patients. Preoperative BZM therapy seemed useful in preventing or delaying the parasitic recurrence. Post-LT BZM was able to stabilize and even to reduce residual AE. The anti-Em2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is the standard test used in patient follow-up after partial liver resection for AE, did not appear useful in detecting recurrence here; however, an ELISA, using a crude heterologous antigen (Echinococcus granulosus) allowed early diagnosis of residual AE. In conclusion, primary disease recurrence is not rare after LT for AE. Immunosuppressive therapy may favor larval growth in extrahepatic sites; therefore, an extensive extrahepatic radiological check-up has to be performed before LT. BZM therapy seems to stabilize residual foci. Anti-Eg immunoglobulin G (IgG) follow-up is the most useful test for early diagnosis of parasite recurrence.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and variceal bleeding: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can have severe gastrointestinal effects and cause peptic ulcers to bleed. Acute bleeding from oesophageal varices is a major complication of cirrhosis of the liver.

AIMS

To investigate the role, using a case-control study, of NSAIDs in first bleeding episodes associated with oesophageal or cardial varices in cirrhotic patients.

PATIENTS/METHODS

A structured interview was conducted of 125 cirrhotic patients with bleeding mainly related to oesophageal varices and 75 cirrhotic controls with oesophageal varices who had never bled.

RESULTS

Cirrhotic patients who were admitted for bleeding related to portal hypertension were more likely to have used NSAIDs during the week before the index day (31 of 125 (25%)) than the cirrhotic controls (eight of 75 (11%); odds ratio = 2.8, p = 0.016). Use of aspirin alone or combined with other NSAIDs was also more prevalent in the cases (21 of 125 (17%)) than in the controls (three of 75 (4%); odds ratio = 4.9, p = 0.007). Logistic regression analysis showed that NSAID use (p = 0.022, odds ratio = 2. 9, 95% confidence interval = 1.8 to 4.7) and variceal size (p<0.001, odds ratio = 4.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.4 to 11.5) were the only variables independently associated with the risk of bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin, used alone or combined with other NSAIDs, was associated with a first variceal bleeding episode in patients with cirrhosis. Given the life threatening nature of this complication, the possible benefit of this treatment should be weighed against the risk shown here. No firm conclusions could be drawn on non-aspirin NSAIDs used alone.

Effectiveness of two methods of parenteral nutrition support in improving muscle mass of children with neuroblastoma or Wilms' tumor. A randomized study

The short-term and long-term effectiveness of central parenteral nutrition (CPN) versus peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) in improving muscle mass (arm muscle area [AMA]) was evaluated for 24 malnourished children with newly diagnosed Stage IV neuroblastoma (n = 14) or Stages II-V Wilms' tumor (n = 10). Patients were randomized to either CPN or PPN plus enteral nutrition (EN: intense nutrition counseling, oral foods, and supplements) for 4 weeks followed by EN until week 10. Oncologic treatment was similar for each tumor type. Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical measurements were obtained at weeks 0, 4, and 10. During weeks 1 through 4, energy (CPN: means 100 +/- 4; PPN: means 96 +/- 4% of healthy children) and protein (CPN: means 2.5 +/- 0.1; PPN means 2.7 +/- 0.2 g/kg) intakes of the two groups did not differ. The AMA increased (P less than 0.05) with 4 weeks of CPN but not with PPN; changes thereafter with EN were not significant. Weight (P less than 0.05) and triceps skinfolds (P less than 0.01) increased with 4 weeks of PN in both groups and decreased with EN thereafter (P less than 0.01) but were higher at week 10 than diagnosis. Increases in albumin in both groups reached significance at week 10 (P less than 0.05). These data show that CPN improves AMA in malnourished children with neuroblastoma or Wilms' tumor when energy and protein intakes are adequate. The AMA gains can be maintained thereafter with EN.

Wild bees and their nests host Paenibacillus bacteria with functional potential of avail

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, the gram-positive firmicute genus Paenibacillus was found with significant abundances in nests of wild solitary bees. Paenibacillus larvae is well-known for beekeepers as a severe pathogen causing the fatal honey bee disease American foulbrood, and other members of the genus are either secondary invaders of European foulbrood or considered a threat to honey bees. We thus investigated whether Paenibacillus is a common bacterium associated with various wild bees and hence poses a latent threat to honey bees visiting the same flowers.

RESULTS

We collected 202 samples from 82 individuals or nests of 13 bee species at the same location and screened each for Paenibacillus using high-throughput sequencing-based 16S metabarcoding. We then isolated the identified strain Paenibacillus MBD-MB06 from a solitary bee nest and sequenced its genome. We did find conserved toxin genes and such encoding for chitin-binding proteins, yet none specifically related to foulbrood virulence or chitinases. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a closer relationship to strains of root-associated Paenibacillus rather than strains causing foulbrood or other accompanying diseases. We found anti-microbial evidence within the genome, confirmed by experimental bioassays with strong growth inhibition of selected fungi as well as gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

The isolated wild bee associate Paenibacillus MBD-MB06 is a common, but irregularly occurring part of wild bee microbiomes, present on adult body surfaces and guts and within nests especially in megachilids. It was phylogenetically and functionally distinct from harmful members causing honey bee colony diseases, although it shared few conserved proteins putatively toxic to insects that might indicate ancestral predisposition for the evolution of insect pathogens within the group. By contrast, our strain showed anti-microbial capabilities and the genome further indicates abilities for chitin-binding and biofilm-forming, suggesting it is likely a useful associate to avoid fungal penetration of the bee cuticula and a beneficial inhabitant of nests to repress fungal threats in humid and nutrient-rich environments of wild bee nests.

Stability of debrisoquine (CYP2D6) phenotype in liver transplant patients

Liver metabolism may be modified after liver transplantation according to the phenotype of the donor and may be influenced by posttransplantation complications. The CYP2D6 phenotype was assessed in 13 patients (group I) before and after liver transplantation using debrisoquine. CYP2D6 activity was also assessed in vitro on microsomes from the liver of the recipients and the donors, using dextromethorphan. Twelve patients were extensive metabolizers both before and after transplantation. One apparently poor metabolizer was transplanted with the liver of another poor metabolizer. The intrinsic clearance of dextromethorphan (CL(int)) measured on recipient liver microsomes was significantly lower than that on donor liver microsomes (p < 0.05). In extensive metabolizers, the debrisoquine metabolic ratio was correlated with CL(int) before (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) and after (r = 0.89, p < 0.0005) transplantation. Debrisoquine phenotype was measured repeatedly in nine additional patients (group II) up to 3 years after liver transplantation. Their phenotype was stable during the follow-up observation, although the variations observed may be clinically relevant. Therefore, no change in CYP2D6 phenotype (extensive/poor metabolizer) was observed because of the liver transplantation, and the debrisoquine log metabolic ratio was largely unaffected by the liver complications observed during the posttransplantation follow-up observation.

UV-light perception is modulated by the odour element of an olfactory-visual compound in restrained honeybees

Honeybees use visual and olfactory cues to detect flowers during foraging trips. Hence, the reward association of a nectar source is a multimodal construct which has at least two major components – olfactory and visual cues. How both sensory modalities are integrated to form a common reward association and whether and how they may interfere, is an open question. The present study used stimulation with UV, blue and green light to evoke distinct photoreceptor activities in the compound eye and two odour components (Geraniol, Citronellol). To test if a compound of both modalities is perceived as the sum of its elements (elemental processing) or as a unique cue (configural processing) we combined monochromatic light with single odour components in positive (PP) and negative patterning (NP) experiments. During PP, the compound of two modalities was rewarded, whereas the single elements were not. For NP, stimuli comprising a single modality were rewarded, whereas the olfactory-visual compound was not. Furthermore, we compared the differentiation abilities between two light stimuli with and without being part of an olfactory-visual compound. Interestingly, the behavioural performances revealed a prominent case of configural processing, but only in those cases when UV light was an element of an olfactory-visual compound. Instead, learning with green- and blue-containing compounds rather supports elemental processing theory.

Is debrisoquine hydroxylation modified during acute viral hepatitis?

Drug metabolism in the liver may be decreased during liver diseases. However, the extent of impairment of specific isozymes of cytochrome P450 is largely unknown. We have studied the debrisoquine hydroxylation capacity of 17 patients with acute viral hepatitis and 106 unrelated healthy subjects. Debrisoquine metabolic ratio was increased in extensive metabolizers (EM) with acute viral hepatitis as compared with healthy EMs (median metabolic ratio: 1.20 vs 0.84, P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in phenotype prevalence between patients and controls. Our results suggest that acute viral hepatitis only has a marginal effect on the activity of CYP2D6 and that substrates of this enzyme may be given in normal therapeutic doses to this category of patients.

Laboratory rearing of solitary bees and wasps

Ecological experiments often require standardized methods that exclude natural variation and allow manipulation of a single parameter. It has been shown that domesticated honey bee larvae are raisable in a controlled environment. Here we demonstrate that this approach is also transferable to wild solitary bees and wasps without inducing negative effects on their development. Wells may also be supplemented with the antibiotic substance oxytetracycline to control the presence of bacteria. The method thus provides a useful tool to investigate offspring recruitment and larval development in solitary bees and wasps, plus their responses to manipulation of factors as for example diets, toxins and microbiota.

[Granuloma annulare of the photoexposed areas in two liver transplant recipients]

BACKGROUND

We report two cases of generalized granuloma annulare occurring in photoexposed areas in two liver transplant recipients.

CASE REPORTS

Case 1 was a 65-year-old man who had undergone liver transplantation in 1992. He was given immunosuppressive and antihypertensive therapy. Within 18 months of transplantation, he developed a confluent rash with maculae on sun-exposed areas (neck opening, nape, arms) and sparing the undershirt area. Clinical examination was normal. Skin biopsy revealed a palissade infiltrate located in the middle and upper derma, suggestive of granuloma annulare, with elastophagocytosis patterns (orcein stain and ultrastructure study). Photoexposure granuloma was diagnosed. Case 2 was a 59-year-old man who had undergone liver tranplantation in 1994. He was given immunosuppressive and antihypertensive therapy and developed within 4 months a dark rash on the neck opening and nape, sparing photoprotected areas. Histopathology revealed granuloma annulare. Elastophagocytosis was disclosed by orcein stain and the ultrastructure study.

DISCUSSION

This clinical presentation of granuloma annulare in two liver transplant recipients is unusual. We discuss the clinical and histopathological patterns observed in our two cases and the relationships between granuloma annulare and immunosuppression.

Nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy preparation in rheumatology in the United States and Canada

Directors of undergraduate programs in nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy in the United States and Canada were surveyed to determine the amount and perceived adequacy of the current degree of classroom and clinical exposure to the rheumatic diseases. One hundred ninety-one (73%) of the 262 mailed questionnaires were returned. Results indicate that regardless of the actual degree of rheumatologic classroom exposure, directors in all three disciplines view current amounts as adequate. A larger proportion views levels of clinical exposure as inadequate. In general, the Canadian programs had a greater emphasis on rheumatology than their United States counterparts.

[Indications and contraindications for liver transplantation]

Liver transplantation (LT) is a therapeutic method in many, otherwise infaust diseases of the liver. During the recent decade the experimental therapeutic procedure has become a routine therapeutical method. The stage of clinical experiment was ultimated by the Washington Conference held on the consensus in LT indications (1983). Large centries (USA, England, Germany) yield 80-100 liver transplantations per year. The recent years have recorded a change in some principal opinions on LT. It is possible to state that liver transplantation is being abstained from cases with more extensive primary neoplamatic affliction of the liver. Conservative therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver by means of ursodeoxycholic acid has shifted the LT indication into the later stages of the disease. The opinions on the meaning of LT in alcoholic cirrhosis remain still unsettled. LT remains unambiquously indicated in life-endangering fulminant and subfulminant liver failures. Among the viral diseases, attention is paid to liver cirrhosis caused by infection by the hepatitis C virus. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis B has a better prognosis, owing to the complex antiviral therapy. Liver transplantation represents, beside the main indications, the therapy of first selection, e.g. also in Wilson's disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, alveolar echinococcosis etc. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 54.)

[Acute cytolytic hepatitis caused by coumarin. 2 cases]

Coumarin is a drug which is extensively used to treat lymphedema. We report two cases of acute hepatitis probably due to coumarin. Two women, 40 year and 45 year-old, were treated with 90 mg/d of coumarin for 5 months. Clinical features included jaundice, pruritus, and diarrhea. A marked increase in serum aminotransferases was observed (ALT: 30 and 100 times the upper limit of normal, respectively). Coumarin withdrawal was rapidly followed by a favorable outcome in both cases. Rechallenge in one case induced a relapse of symptoms and liver test abnormalities. Coumarin can induce acute cytolytic hepatitis.

Evaluation of an education program on the management of rheumatic diseases for physical therapists

An educational program on the management of rheumatic diseases was developed for physical therapists. It was community based and designed to measure changes in patient care and physician behavior in the utilization of physical therapy services. Substantial changes in the utilization of physical therapy services were documented in 3 intervention communities, but not in control communities. In patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, there was a 1.8 day reduction in the hospitalization, significant increases in the use of preoperative physical therapy and a shift in the use of walking aids. These data suggest that physical therapists can play an important role in physician and patient education, and this may result in lower costs and improved outcomes.

Orthotopic liver transplantation for incurable alveolar echinococcosis of the liver: report of 17 cases

Between 1986 and 1989, orthotopic liver transplantations were performed in our unit for 17 patients with incurable alveolar echinococcosis. Ten patients had hilar involvement (group I), and seven patients had posterior localization (five of them had chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome) (group II). The delay between diagnosis and the orthotopic liver transplantation was more than 48 mo in group Ia (six patients), less than 24 mo in group Ib (four patients) and less than 48 mo in group II. Previous operations were more common in group Ia than in group Ib and II. Five patients have died-four in group I and one in group II. The actuarial survival rate at 15 mo was 75%. Early reoperations were frequent (69%), mainly caused by rebleeding. Bacterial and fungal infections occurred only in group Ia (four cases) and group II (three cases). In eight patients (palliative group), residual foci of infected nonhepatic tissue occurred after surgery. The titer of specific antibodies decreased during the first 3 mo in all the patients but one. In patients with radical liver transplantation, the complete disappearance of specific antibodies occurred within 2 yr in four cases. In the remaining five patients, specific antibodies remained detectable, but no evidence of recurrence has been obtained up to now. In the palliative group, a peak of specific IgM occurred at 3 mo; an increase of specific IgG was observed later. The growth of residual parasitic foci was relatively slow, and all these patients remained asymptomatic with a mean follow-up of 19 mo. We conclude that orthotopic liver transplantation is feasible in incurable alveolar echinococcosis and could be proposed without delay to patients with parasitic Budd-Chiari syndrome or complicated secondary biliary cirrhosis. In the other cases, the best time to perform an orthotopic liver transplantation is more difficult to determine. Nevertheless, in the perspective of an orthotopic liver transplantation, the management of these patients has to change, and repetitive laparotomies for palliative surgical procedures have to be replaced by interventional radiology.