Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes Associated with Cytomegalovirus Colitis in Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Treatment endpoints in ulcerative colitis: Does one size fit all?

A treat-to-target strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves treatment intensification in order to achieve a pre-determined endpoint. Such uniform and tight disease control has been demonstrated to improve clinical outcomes compared to treatment driven by a clinician's subjective assessment of symptoms. However, choice of treatment endpoints remains a challenge in management of IBD via a treat-to-target strategy. The treatment endpoints for ulcerative colitis (UC), recommended by the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE) consensus have changed somewhat over time. The latest STRIDE-II consensus advises immediate (clinical response), intermediate (clinical remission and biochemical normalisation) and long-term treatment (endoscopic healing, absence of disability and normalisation of health-related quality of life, as well as normal growth in children) endpoints in UC. However, achieving deeper levels of remission, such as histologic normalisation or healing of the gut barrier function, may further improve outcomes among UC patients. Generally, all medical therapy should seek to improve short- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Hence treatment endpoints should be chosen based on their ability to predict for improvement in short- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Potential benefits of treatment intensification need to be weighed against the potential harms within an individual patient. In addition, changing therapy that has achieved partial response may lead to worse outcomes, with failure to recapture response on treatment reversion. Patients may also place different emphasis on certain potential benefits and harms of various treatments than clinicians, or may have strong opinions re certain therapies. Potential benefits and harms of therapies, incremental benefits of achieving deeper levels of remission, as well as uncertainties of the same, need to be discussed with individual patients, and a treatment endpoint agreed upon with the clinician. Future research should focus on quantifying the incremental benefits and risks of achieving deeper levels of remission, such that clinicians and patients can make an informed decision about appropriate treatment end-point on an individual basis.

Diagnostic Utility of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA Quantitation in Ulcerative Colitis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a critical condition associated with severe complications in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the presence of CMV DNA in intestinal mucosa tissue and blood samples in patients with active UC. This study included 81 patients with exacerbated symptoms of UC. Patient data were obtained from the Hospital Information Management System. CMV DNA in colorectal tissue and plasma samples were analyzed using a real-time quantitative PCR assay. CMV markers were detected using immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry positivity was observed in tissue samples from eight (9.9%) patients. Only one (1.2%) patient showed CMV-specific intranuclear inclusion bodies. CMV DNA was detected in 63.0% of the tissues (median: 113 copies/mg) and in 58.5% of the plasma samples (median: 102 copies/mL). For tissues, sensitivity and the negative predictive value (NPV) for qPCR were excellent (100.0%), whereas specificity and the positive predictive value (PPV) were low (41.9% and 15.7%, respectively). For plasma, sensitivity and NPV were high (100.0%) for qPCR, whereas specificity and PPV were low (48.6% and 24.0%, respectively). CMV DNA ≥392 copies/mg in tissue samples (sensitivity 100.0% and specificity 83.6%) and ≥578 copies/mL (895 IU/mL) in plasma samples (sensitivity 66.7% and specificity 100.0%) provided an optimal diagnosis for this test. The qPCR method improved patient management through the early detection of CMV colitis in patients with UC. However, reliance on qPCR positivity alone can lead to overdiagnosis. Quantification of CMV DNA can improve diagnostic specificity, although standardization is warranted.

Impact of cytomegalovirus on outcomes in acute severe ulcerative colitis: a retrospective observational study

Background

Concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) is highly prevalent in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) but data for outcomes of CMV positivity in ASUC and the benefit of antiviral therapy remain unclear.

Objectives

We aim to determine the impact of CMV positivity, and antiviral therapy, on outcomes such as colectomy-free survival, length of hospital stay and readmission rate, among hospitalized patients with ASUC.

Design

This is a retrospective, multicentre study of patients admitted with ASUC.

Methods

CMV positivity was diagnosed from blood CMV DNA and inpatient colonic biopsies. Background demographics and disease characteristics, clinical characteristics and outcomes during admission and long-term outcomes were obtained from electronic medical records and compared according to the presence of CMV and the use of antiviral therapy.

Results

CMV was detected in 40 (24%) of 167 ASUC admissions. Previous steroid exposure was the only clinical predictor of CMV positivity on multivariate analysis. Outcomes of greater requirement for rescue therapy (60% versus 33%), longer hospital stay (14.3 versus 9.9 days) and higher readmission rates at 3 and 12 months were associated with CMV positivity. No difference was found in the rate of colectomy or colectomy-free survival. Antiviral therapy was not associated with a lower risk of colectomy but did extend the time to colectomy (126 versus 36 days).

Conclusion

CMV positivity was associated with worse outcomes of need for rescue therapy, hospital stay and readmissions. Antiviral therapy was not found to reduce the risk of colectomy but did extend the time to colectomy. Further prospective studies will be required to more clearly determine its benefit in patients with concomitant CMV and ASUC.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis management: unanswered questions and latest insights

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a distinctive ulcerative colitis flare presentation characterised by the presence of systemic inflammation as well as bloody diarrhoea, and occurs at least once in 25% of patients with ulcerative colitis during their disease course. Each episode carries a risk of complications, need for colectomy, and mortality. Little is known about ASUC pathogenesis, although impaired host-microbiota crosstalk involving pathobionts is suspected. In this Review, we discuss unanswered questions and results from the latest research on the medical-first-line, second-line, and potential third-line therapies-and surgical management of ASUC. We detail promising options for management, such as the use of enteral nutrition in combination with intravenous steroids, the ability to predict early failure of first-line or second-line therapies, and the emerging role of JAK inhibitors. An optimal framework to personalise therapy on the basis of multiomics tools is yet to be developed.

Modern practical management of acute severe colitis

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is one of life-threatening complications that occur in one-fifth of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with significant morbidity and an estimated mortality rate up to 1%. There are no validated clinical scoring systems for ASUC. Intravenous corticosteroids remain the cornerstone for the management of ASUC patients However, one-third of patients are steroid refractory and require colectomy in the pre-biologic era or salvage therapy in the post-biologic era. The currently available predictors of non-response to steroids and salvages therapy are sub-optimal. Furthermore, there is a need for the development of clear outcome measures for ASUC patients. Although infliximab and cyclosporin are both effective as salvage therapy, they still carry a rate of treatment failure. Hence, there is an unmet need to explore alternative therapeutic options before colectomy particularly in prior infliximab-exposed patients. This may include the introduction of small molecules with rapid onset of action as a salvage or sequential therapy and the use of slow-onset other biological therapy after "bridging" with cyclosporine. In this article, we explore the current best evidence-based practice and detail the gaps in knowledge in the management of ASUC.

Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Underrated Target in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

CMV infection is still a matter of concern in IBD patients, especially regarding the disease's relapse management. Why IBD patients, particularly those affected by ulcerative colitis, are more susceptible to CMV reactivation is not totally explained, although a weakened immune system could be the reason. Various techniques, ranging from serology to histology, can be employed to detect intestinal CMV infection; however, there is currently disagreement in the literature regarding the most effective diagnostic test. Furthermore, CMV involvement in steroid resistance has been broadly discussed, but whether CMV infection is a cause or consequence of the disease severity and, consequently, steroid refractoriness is still debated. Its potential contribution to the lack of response to advanced therapy and small molecules must be more valued and wholly explored. In this review, we look at the actual literature on CMV in IBD patients, and we suggest a pragmatic algorithm for clinical practice management of CMV infection.

A Rare Case of Herpes Simplex Virus and Cytomegalovirus Dual Infection Inducing Unremitting Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease that results in inflammation and ulceration in the lining of the large intestine. Patients with UC are frequently prescribed immunosuppressive medications to treat their symptoms, resulting in an increased risk of reactivation of many latent viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). However, it is rare for a patient to present with simultaneous reactivation of both viruses. Here, we document the presentation, hospital course, and clinical findings of a UC patient with HSV and CMV dual infection. We also describe treatment strategies and prophylactic measures for managing a dual infection. This is seen through initiating valganciclovir in the outpatient setting following the diagnosis.

Association between body fat composition and disease duration, clinical activity, and intravenous corticosteroid-induced response in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Body fat composition is believed to be associated with the progression, medical response, and prognosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hence, we conducted this study to explore if fat metrics were associated with the disease activity of severe IBD and the response to intravenous corticosteroids (IVCS).

METHODS

We included 69 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 72 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had previously received IVCS during hospitalization. We quantified individual fat distribution using abdominal computed tomography slices. The correlations between fat parameters and disease activity were available with Spearman correlation analysis. The prediction model was developed using independent risk factors derived from multivariable logistic regression analysis. Model discrimination was evaluated leveraging the receiver operating characteristic curve. 1000 bootstrap resamples internally validated the model's prediction performance.

RESULTS

Notable differences in age, nutritional status, serum cytomegalovirus replication, stool condition, and extraintestinal involvement between UC and CD patients were observed. UC subjects who responded to IVCS had higher subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), and mesorectal adipose tissue index (MATI) than non-responders. IVCS-responding CD individuals had lower VATI and mesenteric fat index (MFI) than non-responders. CD patients with a prolonged disease duration had a decreased SATI and an elevated MFI. VATI and MATI were reduced as UC clinically progressed, while more prominent clinical activity in CD correlated with increased VATI, MATI, and MFI. A high SATI indicated that patients with UC were more prone to be IVCS responders. For patients with CD, levels of VATI and MFI were negatively associated with effective IVCS treatment. The established models showed a discriminative accuracy of 0.834 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.740-0.928] in the UC cohort and 0.871 (95% CI 0.793-0.949) in the CD cohort. Repeated samples supported the reliability of the developed models (AUC_UC = 0.836, 95% CI 0.735-0.919; AUC_CD = 0.876, 95% CI 0.785-0.946).

CONCLUSION

Human fat indexes represent novel imaging biomarkers for identifying IBD patients who respond to IVCS, thus building accelerated therapy regimens and avoiding the adverse effects of ineffective IVCS.

Impact of Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate-Induced Enteritis on Murine Cytomegalovirus Reactivation

(1) Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the intestines, which participates in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation from its latent reservoir. CMV-associated colitis plays a pejorative role in the clinical course of UC. We took advantage of a model of chemically induced enteritis to study the viral reactivation of murine CMV (MCMV) in the context of gut inflammation. (2) Methods: Seven-week-old BALB/c mice were infected by 3 × 10³ plaque-forming units (PFU) of MCMV; 2.5% (w/v) DSS was administered in the drinking water from day (D) 30 to D37 post-infection to induce enteritis. (3) Results: MCMV DNA levels in the circulation decreased from D21 after infection until resolution of the acute infection. DSS administration resulted in weight loss, high disease activity index, elevated Nancy index shortening of the colon length and increase in fecal lipocalin. However, chemically induced enteritis had no impact on MCMV reactivation as determined by qPCR and immunohistochemistry of intestinal tissues. (4) Conclusions: Despite the persistence of MCMV in the digestive tissues after the acute phase of infection, the gut inflammation induced by DSS did not induce MCMV reactivation in intestinal tissues, thus failing to recapitulate inflammation-driven HCMV reactivation in human UC.

Inflammatory bowel disease in Korea: epidemiology and pathophysiology

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of disorders, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, that exhibit similar but distinct manifestations. These diseases are characterized by refractory and chronic inflammation of the bowel. IBD is usually accompanied by severe symptoms. When a patient presents with suspected IBD, physicians encounter various challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. In addition, given such characteristics, the associated medical expenses gradually increase. Although IBD was formerly known as a disease of Western countries, the incidence and prevalence are increasing in Korea. Korean investigators have accumulated a great deal of knowledge about the regional characteristics and epidemiology of the disease, especially via well-organized, joint cohort studies. Against this background, this article describes the epidemiology of IBD in Korea compared to that in the West. In addition, an overview of the pathophysiology of the disease is provided, focusing on the latest results.

Viral Enteric Infections in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Excluding superimposed enteric infection is critical in the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC]. Whilst infection with Clostridium difficile and cytomegalovirus have been shown to increase colectomy and mortality rates, no data exist regarding the impact of common viral enteropathogens in ASUC. Our aim was to determine if viral enteric infection in ASUC alters the severity or outcomes of these episodes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of cases presenting to a large tertiary centre. Data were obtained from an in-house, prospectively maintained inflammatory bowel disease database. We identified all ASUC cases treated between October 2015 and January 2021 and compared those testing positive for adenovirus 40/41, human rotavirus or norovirus GI by faecal multiplex polymerase chain reaction [PCR] to those testing negative.

RESULTS

We identified 147 patients with ASUC and faecal multiplex PCR testing for viral pathogens. In total, 22/147 patients [14.9%] tested positive, two of whom tested positive for two viruses. The infected and non-infected cohorts did not differ significantly with regard to admission C-reactive protein [81.7 vs 76.6, p = 0.77], Mayo endoscopic subscore [2.4 vs 2.3, p = 0.43], length of hospital admission [7.9 vs 7.9 p = 0.99], requirement for rescue therapy [59% vs 56%, p = 0.75] or colectomy rate [4.5% vs 4.1%, p = 0.69].

CONCLUSIONS

Infection with viral enteropathogens was common in our ASUC cohort, but did not appear to affect disease severity at presentation, the need for rescue therapy or the success rate of rescue therapy.

[Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease]

A diagnostic evaluation for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is required in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who do not respond to steroid or immunomodulatory treatment. However, there is no consensus on an accurate diagnostic method for CMV infection in patients with IBD, and it is difficult to clearly distinguish the exacerbation of ulcerative colitis from CMV colitis. According to several recent studies, the most accurate test method for CMV colitis is quantitative tissue DNA-quantitative PCR, which is recommended as the first-line diagnostic technique along with an immunohistochemistry stain. The benefit of antiviral therapy for CMV infection in patients with IBD is also controversial. Although the definition of viral load is unclear, antiviral therapy can lower the rate of colectomy in CMV infections with a high viral load in patients with IBD. This review presents the latest findings about CMV infections in IBD, based on recently reported studies.

Risk of Gastrointestinal Infections After Initiating Vedolizumab and Anti-TNFα Agents for Ulcerative Colitis

GOALS

Characterize and compare the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and cytomegalovirus colitis (CMVC) after initiation of vedolizumab or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α agents for ulcerative colitis (UC).

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppression is a risk factor for gastrointestinal infections including CDI and CMVC among patients with UC; however, the risk according to the biological class is poorly understood.

STUDY

A retrospective cohort study of adults with UC involving the initiation of vedolizumab or anti-TNFα agents during June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2020 was conducted at a large academic health system. The primary outcomes for both CDI and CMVC analyses were first CDI or CMVC after biological initiation. The secondary outcome for the CDI analysis was severe CDI (>10,000 white blood cells or serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL). Independent variables included demographics and UC history/severity factors. Inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox regression was performed to assess the hazard of CDI by biological group. Due to few outcomes, CMVC was reported descriptively.

RESULTS

A total of 805 UC patients initiated vedolizumab (n=195) or anti-TNFα agents (n=610). There were 43 CDIs and 11 severe CDIs over 1436 patient-years. The inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox regression demonstrated no association between CDI and vedolizumab versus anti-TNFα (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.05-2.03), but identified a significantly lower hazard of severe CDI for vedolizumab versus anti-TNFα (hazard ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.76). There were 5 cases of CMVC, all in the anti-TNFα group.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a lower adjusted risk of severe CDI but not total CDI associated with vedolizumab. CMVC was not observed after initiating vedolizumab. These findings may provide reassurance regarding the use of vedolizumab when also considering the risk of gastrointestinal infections.

Comparison of 1-Year Colectomy Risk Between the US and Korean Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

Colectomy risk after acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) has not been compared between Eastern and Western countries. We compared the 1-year colectomy risk after ASUC between Korea and the USA.

METHODS

Data on patients admitted for ASUC to five tertiary referral hospitals in Korea and Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, the USA, between January 2015 and January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. For comparability between groups, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. The primary outcome was colectomy, and secondary outcomes were mortality, readmission, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 1-year of the index admission for ASUC. The risk of each outcome was compared using Cox proportional hazards model in pre-matched cohort and Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test in post-matched cohort.

RESULTS

290 ASUC patients were included in the study (121 Korea, 169 the USA). After PSM, 56 patients were selected in each group with no significant differences in baseline variables. At 1 year after ASUC, colectomy was less common in Korea than in the USA [3 (5.4%) vs. 24 (42.9%), p < 0.001]. The cumulative colectomy risk was significantly higher in the USA than in Korea in pre-matched cohort [adjusted hazard ratio 7.89, 95% confidence interval 3.23 to 19.22] and in post-matched cohort (log-rank p < 0.001), while there was no difference in cumulative risk of mortality, readmission, and VTE.

CONCLUSION

Colectomy risk within 1 year of ASUC is significantly higher in the USA than in Korea. We observed no differences in mortality, readmission, and VTE between the two groups.

The role of cytomegalovirus colitis on short- and long-term outcomes for patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis brings great obstacles for treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess the impact of CMV colitis on prognostic outcomes and associated risk factors for UC patients.

METHODS

A consecutive 77 inpatients diagnosed as UC were collected retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2015. About 33 patients were defined with CMV colitis by histological tests of colon mucosa. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with CMV colitis or those without. The primary outcomes were UC-related colectomy or the first time of disease relapse after discharge.

RESULTS

33 CMV colitis patients had higher frequency of recent steroid treatment (81.8% vs. 31.8%, p < .001), older age of onset (45.3 ± 13.0 vs. 44.5 ± 15.7 years, p = .028) and more severe colitis (p < .001) characterized by lower hemoglobin (99.0 ± 23.2 vs. 114.6 ± 22.6 g/L, p = .004), albumin (29.7 ± 4.6 vs. 35.4 ± 6.5 g/L, p < .001), immunoglobulin G [8.8 (5.9-10.6) vs. 12.3 (9.3-16.2) g/L, p = .003] and higher C reactive protein [48.5 (21.6-73.8) vs. 9.1 (3.6-35.0) mg/L, p < .001]. The occurrence of UC-related colectomy in patients with CMV colitis was more frequent (48.5% vs 20.5%, p<.01) and CMV colitis was proved to be one of risk factors of colectomy with a hazard ratio of 3.15 (95%CI 1.387-7.171, p = .006), mainly in a short term period. UC-related complications almost occurred within 1 year since CMV colitis diagnosis. And UC patients with CMV colitis always experienced early relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV colitis increases the colectomy risk mainly in a short term due to severe inflammatory response, early-onset complications or medication treatment failure. There is also potential correlation between CMV colitis and early relapse. Short-term therapy for UC patients with CMV colitis should be more concerned on controlling systemic inflammation and reducing complications whereas long-term maintenance therapy may not require more aggressive intervention.

Cytomegalovirus in ulcerative colitis: an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment

INTRODUCTION

The detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease often creates confusion whether CMV is a 'bystander' or 'disease.'

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the clinical conundrum of CMV in ulcerative colitis, approach to discriminate infection from disease, and therapeutic considerations (immunosuppressive and anti-CMV treatment). CMV disease should be considered in corticosteroid refractory- dependent and thiopurine refractory disease. Endoscopy may reveal deep punched out ulcers, irregular ulcers, or cobble-stoning. The diagnosis rests on the presence and abundance of viral inclusion bodies on hematoxylin and eosin stain, positive immunohistochemistry, and/or positive tissue polymerase chain reaction. CMV disease is associated with worse outcomes including increased colectomy rates.

EXPERT OPINION

The timing and duration of antiviral drugs in CMV disease is debatable but depends on the load of CMV in tissue. In high-grade infection, CMV needs to be treated while increasing immunosuppression may work in the setting of low-grade infection. Ganciclovir is the drug of choice for treatment of CMV disease. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may be useful for treating underlying disease activity in the setting of CMV. Other emerging therapies include fecal microbiota transplantation. Randomized studies are necessary to define the best timing and duration of anti-CMV therapy.

Effects of tissue cytomegalovirus quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the management of ulcerative colitis flare-ups: Should we wave aside?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for disease reactivation in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients remains controversial and diagnostic tests are yet to be standardized. We aimed to define the clinical relevance of CMV detection by mucosal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in UC patients by comparing the clinical course of UC in CMV-treated and CMV-untreated groups in tissue CMV-PCR positive cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, 141 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe UC admitted to our clinic with disease flare, colonic tissue CMV PCR was assessed.

RESULTS

The median age of the study population was 39 years, and 99 (70.2%) patients were male. Eighty-eight (62.4%) patients were CMV-PCR (+) and 53 (37.6%) were CMV PCR (-). The CMV-PCR (+) and CMV PCR (-) groups showed no significant difference concerning age, sex, disease duration, site of involvement and disease activity and administered treatments. The median tissue CMV-PCR was 41,098 IU/mL (IQR:2,344.25-136,192). Thirty-four of 88 CMV-PCR (+) patients received antiviral therapy. The tissue CMV-PCR level of patients who received antiviral therapy was 124,381 IU/mL (IQR: 19,309-412,335), and it was 6,292 IU/mL (IQR: 997-71,154) in patients who did not receive antiviral therapy; (p < 0.001). Sixteen (47.1%) of 34 patients who received antiviral therapy achieved remission. Two of the non-responders underwent colectomy (one because of dysplasia and one who did not respond subsequent biologic agent either). Remaing 16 achieved remission by escalating the immunsuppresive/biologic agent therapy.

CONCLUSION

CMV infection is responsible for only a minority of cases of UC flares and all are steroid-resistant cases. Most of the patients non-responsive to antiviral treatment respond to increased anti-inflammatory treatment. Hesitancy in the decision of escalating immunsuppresive treatment rather than CMV disease may be responsible for worsening disease course and increased colectomy rate in a significant number of the patients who are tissue CMV-PCR (+).

Risk Factors of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with exacerbation of disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the risk factors for CMV reactivation in this population remain debatable. This meta-analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for CMV reactivation in UC patients. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched from the inception of these databases to 31 August 2021, with the aim of identifying studies that investigated the risk factors of CMV reactivation in UC patients. A quality assessment of the included studies was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The publication bias was assessed respectively via a funnel plot and Egger’s regression asymmetry test. The robustness and reliability of each outcome were evaluated by sensitivity analysis. Twenty studies were included in the final meta-analysis, comprising a total of 2099 patients with UC. A significantly higher risk of CMV reactivation was observed in patients with severe UC (OR = 1.465, 95% CI: 1.107 to 1.939, p = 0.008), pancolitis (OR = 2.108, 95% CI: 1.586 to 2.800, p = 0.0001), older age of UC onset (MD = 6.212, 95% CI: 2.552 to 9.971, p = 0.001), as well as use of glucocorticoids (OR = 4.175, 95% CI: 3.076 to 5.666, p = 0.001), immunosuppressants (OR = 1.795, 95% CI: 1.289 to 2.501, p = 0.001), and azathioprine (OR = 1.444, 95% CI: 1.012 to 2.061, p = 0.043). However, infliximab treatment was observed not to increase the occurrence of CMV reactivation in patients who suffered from UC. In contrast, 5-aminosalicylic acid (OR = 0.674, 95% CI: 0.492 to 0.924, p = 0.014) was associated with a lower risk of CMV reactivation. Patients with UC should be closely monitored for risk factors of CMV reactivation in order to provide timely diagnosis and antiviral treatment.

Current status of inflammatory bowel diseases in Korea

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease of unknown origin that causes chronic inflammation of the intestines and is classified as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The incidence and prevalence of IBD in Korea have been rapidly increasing during the past three decades. This paper describes the current status of IBD in Korea.Current Concepts: Compared with western countries, genotypes and phenotypes of IBD in Korea demonstrate some distinct features, which may have an impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of IBD. We continue to experience some difficulties in making early and accurate diagnoses of IBD in Korea due to a low awareness of the disease and the high prevalence of infectious enterocolitis, such as intestinal tuberculosis, which needs to be differentiated from IBD. The treatment of IBD can be influenced by differences in genetic, environmental, and social factors. NUDT15 variants limit the use of thiopurines. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and cytomegalovirus colitis, are usually more common in Asia than in western countries and can adversely influence the management of IBD. Biologic agents, which have changed the treatment paradigm of IBD, are equally efficacious in Asian patients as in Western patients. However, their use is limited due to a strict Korean government health insurance reimbursement policy. The prognosis of ulcerative colitis in Korea may be better than that in western countries, as indicated by a lower colectomy rate. However, this difference is less distinct in Crohn’s disease.Discussion and Conclusion: IBD in Korea differs from that in western countries in many respects. With rapid increase in the prevalence of IBD in Korea, medical costs for IBD are expected to become a significant financial burden. Koreans need to be prepared for this eventuality.

Comparison of outcomes of cyclosporine A and infliximab for steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Data comparing the outcomes of cyclosporin A (CsA) and infliximab (IFX) as rescue therapy for steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis (SR-ASUC) among Asians are scarce.

METHODS

In this single-center study, we retrospectively reviewed 121 patients with SR-ASUC according to the Truelove and Witts' criteria who received CsA or IFX as rescue therapy between 1995 and 2015. The cumulative rates of treatment failure and colectomy at 3 months were compared. Treatment failure was defined as colectomy, switch to other medications, acute flare-up events requiring steroid treatment, or adverse events leading to drug interruption.

RESULTS

Among 121 patients with SR-ASUC (male, 55.6%; median disease duration, 47.1 months; extensive colitis, 61.2%), 23 received CsA as rescue therapy. Baseline characteristics (e.g. age at diagnosis, sex, disease duration, disease extent at rescue therapy, and Mayo score at treatment initiation) were comparable between the two groups. During follow-up (median, 45 months; interquartile range 29.3-61.8), 84 patients (69.4%) experienced treatment failure, and 25 patients (20.7%) underwent colectomy. The CsA group and the IFX group did not show significant differences in the cumulative rates of treatment failure (39.1% vs 34.7%, P = 0.714) and colectomy (26.1% vs 13.3%, P = 0.198) at 3 months. Previous use of azathioprine (odds ratio [OR] = 2.309, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.076-4.951, P = 0.032) was associated with treatment failure at 3 months. Mayo score > 10 at the time of rescue therapy was significantly associated with colectomy at 3 months (OR = 8.444, 95% CI = 2.592-27.506, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Among Korean patients with SR-ASUC, the rates of treatment failure and colectomy at 3 months were not significantly different between the CSA and the IFX treatment groups.

Colitis due to Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Type 2 as a Complication of a First Presentation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The first presentation of ulcerative colitis may be an acute flare in about 15% of patients, requiring hospital admission. In acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) should be sought because it is a frequent cause of refractory disease. Herpes simplex colitis constitutes a rarer event in ulcerative colitis patients and it is usually associated with immunosuppression. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We report a case of a first presentation of ulcerative colitis complicated by CMV and herpes simplex type 2 coinfection. After a long period of systemic corticosteroids, the diagnosis of both CMV and herpes colitis was made. Despite antiviral treatment, colectomy was required due to a contained perforation. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> This report highlights the importance of a high degree of suspicion for opportunistic infections in steroid/immunomodulator refractory ulcerative colitis, even in the first flare.

Influence of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency on the Clinical Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown vitamin D status to be associated with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its influence on the clinical course of IBD has not been established.

AIMS

We aimed to analyze whether the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] status is associated with clinical characteristics and affects the risk of surgery in patients with IBD.

METHODS

From the IBD registry of the Asan Medical Center, we identified all patients who had at least one 25(OH)D measurement; we then analyzed the association between clinical factors and 25(OH)D status. 25(OH)D was considered borderline deficient, deficient, and severely deficient at levels of < 30, < 20, and < 10 ng/mL, respectively.

RESULTS

We included 711 Crohn's disease (CD) and 764 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who had not undergone surgery before 25(OH)D was measured. Both in CD and in UC patients, reduced 25(OH)D was associated with higher disease activity scores and CRP levels (p < 0.001). Severe 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with ileocolonic disease and complicated behavior in CD (p < 0.05) and was relevant to the disease extent in UC (p < 0.001). Additionally, severe 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with CMV colitis in patients with UC (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, severe deficiency of 25(OH)D was an independent risk factor for surgery in both CD (HR 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-2.70) and UC (HR 2.77, 95% CI 1.14-6.74).

CONCLUSION

Severe 25(OH)D deficiency may be a marker of a more aggressive clinical course of IBD.

Treatment of acute severe ulcerative colitis

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. Due to the increasing incidence of ulcerative colitis in recent years, ASUC has become increasingly common in clinical practice. Presently, corticosteroids remain the first choice, whose efficacy should be evaluated after 3 d. If unsatisfactory, it should be switched to infliximab or cyclosporine salvage treatment timely. Besides, colectomy may be an option when medical treatment is ineffective or serious complications occur. This review describes the current treatment regimens for ASUC, with an aim to help develop treatment plans and improve the prognosis and life quality of patients with ASUC .

High mucosal cytomegalovirus DNA helps predict adverse short-term outcome in acute severe ulcerative colitis

Background/Aims

Predictors of short-term outcome of intravenous (IV) steroid therapy in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) have been well described, but the impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a predictor of outcome remains debatable. We investigated the role of quantitative CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a predictor of short-term outcome in patients with ASUC.

Methods

Consecutive patients with ASUC satisfying Truelove and Witts criteria hospitalized at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) from May 2016 to July 2019 were included; all received IV steroid. The primary outcome measure was steroid-failure defined as the need for rescue therapy (with ciclosporin or infliximab) or colectomy during admission. AIIMS' index (ulcerative colitis index of severity > 6 at day 1+fecal calprotectin > 1,000 μg/g at day 3), with quantitative CMV PCR on biopsy samples obtained at initial sigmoidoscopy were correlated with the primary outcome.

Results

Thirty of 76 patients (39%) failed IV corticosteroids and 12 (16%) underwent surgery. Patients with steroid failure had a significantly higher mucosal CMV DNA than responders (3,454 copies/mg [0-2,700,000] vs. 116 copies/mg [0-27,220]; P< 0.01). On multivariable analysis, mucosal CMV DNA load > 2,000 copies/mg (odds ratio [OR], 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-39.7; P< 0.01) and AIIMS' index (OR, 39.8; 95% CI, 4.4-364.4; P< 0.01) were independent predictors of steroid-failure and need for colectomy. The combination correctly predicted outcomes in 84% of patients with ASUC.

Conclusions

High mucosal CMV DNA ( > 2,000 copies/mg) independently predicts failure of IV corticosteroids and short-term risk of colectomy and it has an additional value to the established markers of disease severity in patients with ASUC.

Ulcerative Colitis and Cytomegalovirus Infection: From A to Z

Despite multiple studies, the role of cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection in exacerbating the severity of inflammation in ulcerative colitis [UC], and its response to treatment, remain debatable. Additionally, the optimal diagnostic tests for CMV infection in the setting of UC relapse, and timing of antiviral treatment initiation, remain unclear. The challenge faced by gastroenterologists is to differentiate between an acute UC flare and true CMV colitis. It seems that the presence of CMV colitis, as defined by the presence of intranuclear or intracellular inclusion bodies on haematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining and/or positive immunohistochemistry [IHC] assay on histology, is associated with more severe colitis. Patients with CMV infection and acute severe colitis are more resistant to treatment with corticosteroids than non-infected patients. This refractoriness to steroids is related to colonic tissue CMV viral load and number of inclusion bodies [high-grade CMV infection] which may have a pronounced effect on clinical outcomes and colectomy rates. Whereas many studies showed no effect for antiviral treatment on colectomy rates in CMV-infected UC patients, there was a significant difference in colectomy rates of patients with high-grade infection who received anti-viral therapy compared with those who did not receive treatment. It was therefore proposed that high-grade CMV disease indicates that the virus is acting as a pathogen, whereas in those with low-grade CMV disease, the severity of IBD itself is more likely to influence outcome. The different algorithms that have been put forward for the management of patients with UC and concomitant CMV infection are discussed.

IgA, albumin, and eosinopenia as early indicators of cytomegalovirus infection in patients with acute ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can significantly complicate and worsen the condition of acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. We aimed to explore the predictive risk factors to prevent and identify CMV infection at an early stage in acute UC patients.

METHODS

A total of 115 moderate-to-severe active UC patients from 17 hospitals throughout China were enrolled. Active CMV infection was diagnosed by one of the following: CMV pp65 antigens, CMV IgM antibodies or CMV DNA. We identified the independent risk factors by multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 64 of 115 active UC patients had active CMV infection. Compared to the non-CMV-infected patients, the CMV-infected patients had a tendency to be male and to exhibit abdominal pain; fever; oral ulcers; eosinopenia; low albumin, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG levels; increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels; hyponatremia; pancolonic lesions; initial onset type; severe activity; and glucocorticoid (high-dose) and immunosuppressive agent use (P < 0.05). In further multivariate analyses, the use of high-dose glucocorticoids (OR 13.55, 95% CI 2.49-73.61, P < 0.01) and immunosuppressive agents (OR 11.23, 95% CI 1.05-119.99, P = 0.04) were independent risk factors for CMV infection. A decrease eosinophil and albumin levels were risk factors for CMV infection. With every 0.1*10^9/L decrease in the peripheral blood eosinophil level or 1 g/L decrease in the serum albumin level, the risk for CMV infection in UC patients increased by 5.21-fold (1/0.192) or 1.19-fold (1/0.839), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agent treatment significantly increase the risk of CMV infection, and correcting eosinopenia and low albumin levels may help prevent CMV infection in UC patients.

Cytomegalovirus and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) with a Special Focus on the Link with Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects approximately 40% of adults in France and persists lifelong as a latent agent in different organs, including gut. A close relationship is observed between inflammation that favors viral expression and viral replication that exacerbates inflammation. In this context, CMV colitis may impact the prognosis of patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and notably those with ulcerative colitis (UC). In UC, the mucosal inflammation and T helper cell (T_H) 2 cytokines, together with immunomodulatory drugs used for controlling flare-ups, favor viral reactivation within the gut, which, in turn, increases mucosal inflammation, impairs corticoid and immunosuppressor efficacy (the probability of steroid resistance is multiplied by more than 20 in the case of CMV colitis), and enhances the risk for colectomy. This review emphasizes the virological tools that are recommended for exploring CMV colitis during inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and underlines the interest of using ganciclovir for treating flare-ups associated to CMV colitis in UC patients.

A stool test in patients with active ulcerative colitis helps exclude cytomegalovirus disease

Objectives: In severe ulcerative colitis (UC) bowel biopsy is recommended to detect the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection capable of complicating the course of the disease. Histopathology with immunohistochemistry (IHC) is time-consuming, and a blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CMV DNA is used as an alternative, notwithstanding nothing more than a moderate correlation between the two. We aimed to detect CMV DNA in the stools of patients with active UC, and to compare the results with CMV IHC in bowel biopsies.Materials and methods: Measurement of CMV DNA in stools (copies/ml) entailed PCR, while biopsies assessed inflammation activity (Geboes scale), as well as counts of numbers of CMV IHC-positive cells/biopsy. The severity of UC was assessed using the Mayo score, stool calprotectin and concentrations of C-reactive protein in the blood.Results: 89 of the above pairs of tests for CMV were performed among 75 patients. CMV was detected in 36/89 stool specimens and 19/89 bowel biopsies. The sensitivity of the stool-CMV PCR was thus 84.7%, while specificity was of 71.4%. The negative predictive value was 94.3% and the positive predictive value 44.4%. No difference in the severity of UC was noted between the stool CMV DNA positive and negative groups. Similarly, there was no difference in the severity of UC between the CMV IHC positive and negative groups, except for the Geboes score, more often found to be higher in CMV IHC-positive patients (p = .002).Conclusions: CMV DNA was detected in the stools of 40.4% of patients with active UC. A negative test result may help to exclude bowel CMV disease.

Long-term Outcomes of Adalimumab Therapy in Korean Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Studies on long-term outcomes of adalimumab therapy in non-Caucasian patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are lacking.

METHODS

We analyzed long-term outcomes of Korean UC patients treated with adalimumab at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

RESULTS

Between July 2013 and October 2018, adalimumab therapy was started in a total of 100 patients with UC (65 males [65.0%]; median age, 39.5 years [interquartile range, 23.3 to 49.8 years]; and median disease duration, 3.0 years [interquartile range, 1.0 to 7.0 years]). The median duration of adalimumab therapy was 13.5 months (interquartile range, 4.0 to 32.0 months). Eight of 100 patients (8.0%) received induction therapy only, four (4.0%) of whom ultimately underwent colectomy. Of 92 patients who received adalimumab maintenance therapy, 30 (30.0%) stopped adalimumab therapy due to loss of response, and one patient (1.0%) was lost to follow-up. Among the 92 patients who received adalimumab maintenance therapy, the cumulative proportions of patients remaining on adalimumab maintenance therapy were 70.0% at 1 year and 48.9% at 5 years. High partial Mayo score after 8 weeks of adalimumab therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.217; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.040 to 1.425; p=0.014) and a history of exposure to two biologic agents before adalimumab therapy (HR, 4.722; CI, 1.033 to 21.586; p=0.045) were predictors of adalimumab discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes of adalimumab therapy in Korean UC patients appear to be comparable to those in previously published Western studies. Furthermore, previous exposure to multiple biologic agents before adalimumab therapy and disease activity after 8 weeks of adalimumab therapy were predictors of adalimumab discontinuation.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: mortality in acute severe ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a life-threatening condition. Mortality in ASUC decreased in published series but there is uncertainty as to whether this also applies to the real-life setting.

AIM

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of mortality in ASUC in studies from referral centres and in population-based studies, separately and combined. A second aim was to identify risk factors of mortality in ASUC.

METHODS

We searched pubmed and embase from 1998 to 2016, to identify studies that reported 3-month or 12-month mortalities of acute UC in adult patients treated in referral centres, and in population-based studies.

RESULTS

Six population-based studies with 741 743 patients and 47 referral centre-based studies with 2556 patients were included. The pooled 3-month and 12-month mortalities were respectively 0.84% and 1.01%. Advanced age was significantly associated with both 3 month and 12 month mortalities (OR = 1.15 per year, 95% CI: 1.10-1.20 and OR = 1.19 per year, 95% CI: 1.15-1.23 respectively). The pooled 3-month and 12-month mortalities were 0.78% and 0.85% in studies with median age of less than 50 and 2.81% and 4.17% in studies with median age of 50 or more, respectively. After adjustment for age, 3-month and 12-month mortalities did not differ between population-based and referral centre-based studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality in acute severe ulcerative colitis is approximately 1%; it is higher in older patients. Efforts should be made to improve the care of elderly patients with severe UC.

Clinical Implications of the CMV-Specific T-Cell Response and Local or Systemic CMV Viral Replication in Patients With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

The precise role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in ulcerative colitis (UC) remains disputed. We evaluated the association of CMV-specific host immune responses and systemic or local viral replication with responses to systemic steroids in patients with moderate to severe UC.

METHODS

Patients who were hospitalized for moderate to severe UC between April 2015 and June 2016 were enrolled. At baseline, all enrolled patients underwent CMV-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of blood and colonic tissue for CMV viral load, histopathological testing for CMV in colonic tissue by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Clinical responses to steroid therapy based on the Oxford index were assessed on day 3.

RESULTS

Of the 80 patients evaluated, 28 (35.0%) had poor responses to steroid therapy on day 3 of intensive treatment. The presence of inclusion bodies (32.1%) and high-grade (≥3) positivity on IHC (50.0%), as well as colonic (mean 1440.4 copies/mg) and blood (mean, 3692.6 copies/mL) CMV viral load, were higher in steroid-refractory UC patients than the control group (13.5%, 1.9%, mean 429.2 copies/mg, and mean 231.2 copies/mL, respectively; P = .046, .009, .017, and .002, respectively). However, CMV-specific T-cell responses were not associated with steroid-refractory UC. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher Mayo score (odds ratio [OR], 2.00; P = .002) and higher blood CMV viral load via qPCR analysis (OR, 3.58; P = .044) were independent risk factors for steroid-refractory UC.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with moderate to severe UC, higher Mayo score and blood CMV expression determined by qPCR are independently associated with steroid refractoriness.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02439372.

Efficacy of antiviral treatment in cytomegalovirus detected ulcerative colitis: meta-analysis of available data

Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to pool available data regarding the efficacy of ganciclovir treatment among cytomegalovirus-detected ulcerative colitis patients.Methods: We screened PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science and Cochrane databases for relevant studies, and four investigators independently evaluated the studies for eligibility. The primary outcome was surgical resection or death from ulcerative colitis. The data were then pooled via DerSimonian-Laird estimator and Mantel-Haenszel (MH) method, two points added for continuity correction and random-effects model fitted in the Bayesian framework. We first constructed a Bugs model with Student t-distribution as prior for between-study heterogeneity. The model was fitted by Gibbs sampler (JAGS) to produce a marginal posterior distribution.Results: Our screening identified 15 eligible studies for final data synthesis and combined data from 191 ganciclovir-treated and 166 non-treated patients. Effect estimates from the fixed-effects meta-analysis model did not encourage ganciclovir treatment (OR, 1.43; 95% CIs [0-95, 2.16]), with a negligible unaccounted heterogeneity (I² = 0%). The Bayesian random-effects model generated high-density credible intervals, suggesting a high probability, that future studies will also not encourage ganciclovir treatment (mu, 1.028; 95% credible intervals [0.054, 2.238]; 80% credible intervals [0.401, 1.703]) which indicates that future studies will favor non-treatment of ulcerative colitis with ganciclovir.Conclusions: Data produced in this study do not encourage ganciclovir treatment for UC patients. However, studies included in this analysis were observational, and thus, inherited severe selection bias. We suggest randomized controlled studies be conducted to make firm recommendations in this context.

True cytomegalovirus colitis is a poor prognostic indicator in patients with ulcerative colitis flares: the 10-year experience of an academic referral inflammatory bowel disease center

Background and aims: The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis on long-term outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) flares remains controversial. Methods: A total of 257 UC patients with moderate-to-severe flares were observed for a mean follow-up of 41.2 months. CMV colitis was defined as histopathologic confirmation of CMV inclusions obtained from macroscopic endoscopic lesions in patients with UC flares. An independent gastrointestinal pathologist prospectively reviewed all specimens. A poor outcome was defined as any of hospitalization, colectomy or death during the follow-up period. Results: The prevalence of CMV colitis was 14% (36/257) over the 10-year study period (2007-2016). When compared to the controls, patients with CMV colitis were characterized by older age, higher disease activity, endoscopic deep ulcerations and more frequent use of immunosuppressive drugs (all p < .05). In total, 57 outcome events (50 hospitalizations, seven colectomies) were observed among the study population (44.7% in patients with CMV colitis vs. 18.9% in controls). The cumulative probability of a poor outcome was significantly greater in the patients with CMV colitis than in the controls (log-rank test p < .001). In a multivariable analysis, CMV colitis remained as an independent predictor of a poor outcome (hazard ratio; 2.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-4.60). Despite a generally favorable response to antiviral therapy (79%), the risk of recurrent CMV colitis remained quite high (57%). Most of the recurrences developed within 8 months (75%). Conclusions: True CMV colitis is a poor prognostic indicator among patients with UC flares. An effective strategy for managing recurrent CMV colitis is urgently needed (KCT0003296).

The detection of the cytomegalovirus DNA in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis is associated with increased long-term risk of proctocolectomy: results from an outpatient IBD clinic

PURPOSE

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been found to be associated with a reactivation of ulcerative colitis (UC) and with an impaired response to medical therapy. In the past, only limited data were available on the long-term outcome for UC patients with positive tissue CMV-PCR in the colonic mucosa.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and April 2015, we performed a qualitative PCR screening for CMV DNA in one biopsy from most actively inflamed rectal mucosa (tCMV-PCR). All tCMV-PCR-positive patients received 900 mg of valganciclovir b.i.d. for at least 15 days. We analyzed the association of the tCMV-PCR status with the time to steroid-free remission (SFR) and with the risk of proctocolectomy during the further course.

RESULTS

One hundred eight consecutive patients (50 women, 58 men, median age 41 years, median UC duration 6 years) with active UC not responding to anti-inflammatory medication were analyzed. Eight of the 24 tCMV-PCR-positive patients (33.3%) compared to ten of the 84 tCMV-PCR-negative patients (11.9%) underwent proctocolectomy during a median follow-up of 52 months (p < 0.005). The median time from CMV diagnosis to colectomy was 501 days (median, interquartile range (IQR): 170, 902 days) in tCMV-PCR-positive and 958 days (IQR: 287, 1328 days) in tCMV-PCR-negative patients (p < 0.01). The median time to SFR was 126 days in tCMV-PCR-positive patients vs. 63 days in tCMV-PCR-negative patients (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of the CMV DNA in the colonic mucosa of patients with active UC is associated with a longer time to steroid-free UC remission and with an increased rate and earlier need of proctocolectomy.

Diagnosis and Management of CMV Colitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a relatively common end-organ infectious complication in immunocompromised hosts which negatively affects clinical outcomes. This paper presents the contemporary approaches to the diagnosis and management of CMV colitis and discusses some of the controversies of this condition, focusing on methods of diagnosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

While certain risk factors for CMV colitis are well recognized, the clinical as well as endoscopic features of this condition are nonspecific. Rapid diagnosis and management are usually needed, especially in critically ill patients, which necessitate invasive diagnostic procedures. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of colonic mucosal tissue may show the typical viral inclusions associated with CMV colitis that are highly specific for this condition. However, the staining has low sensitivity compared to immunohistochemistry, which is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of CMV colitis. Tissue polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive for diagnosis, but is controversial for many reasons, detailed in this paper. A high index of suspicion is needed, and once diagnosis is made, treatment should be highly considered to improve the outcome of these severely ill patients. Noninvasive diagnostic tests will be available in the future and will hopefully improve the diagnosis and care of patients with CMV colitis.

Optimal management of acute severe ulcerative colitis

Acute severe ulcerative colitis is a life-threatening medical emergency, which can be associated with significant morbidity and is preventable through prompt and effective management. Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of initial therapy, although a third of patients will not respond. Further management hinges on timely decisions with use of rescue therapy with ciclosporin or infliximab, without compromising the health or safety of the patient, or timely surgery. Although such patients need specialist care, it is imperative that emergency care physicians are aware of the important principles of management of this condition to achieve successful outcomes. Risk stratification and the use of predictive models using clinical parameters have reduced the morbidity associated with this condition.We discuss current evidence and present a clinical approach to clinicians involved in the emergency care of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis in this review.

Associations between patient clinical characteristics and the presence of cytomegalovirus DNA in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with recurrent wheezing

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in the Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with recurrent wheezing and to identify associations with certain patient clinical characteristics.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, pediatric patients (age < 36 months) admitted to Soochow University Hospital with recurrent wheezing (≥ 4 episodes of wheezing per year) were enrolled in the study. Cytomegalovirus DNA from their BALF was detected by real-time PCR. Subpopulations of blood immunoglobulins and T lymphocytes were quantified. The clinical characteristics of patients with and without BALF CMV DNA were compared. Comparisons of non-normally distributed continuous variables between groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Comparisons of frequency distributions were made using the Chi-squared test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate correlations between the number of CMV DNA copies and continuous variables.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients aged 4 to 36 months (median 14.0 (IQR 8.0-22.0) months) were enrolled on to the study. Cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 51.4% of patients (n = 111) with recurrent wheeze and was more prevalent among those aged 12 to 36 months with a positive modified asthma predictive index (mAPI) (n = 38, median 23.5 (IQR 19.7-31.2) months) than in those of the same age group with a negative mAPI (n = 25, median 15.0 (IQR 13.0-19.0) months) (57.9% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.003). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CMV DNA copy number [median 7560 (IQR 1200-71,150) copies/mL] was positively correlated with the duration of hospitalization (r = 0.33, p = 0.013), and negatively correlated with patient age (r = - 0.41, p = 0.002) and the percentage of BALF eosinophils (r = - 0.38, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

CMV infection or reactivation in children with recurrent wheeze is associated with certain clinical characteristics, including younger age and lower levels of BALF eosinophils. Higher CMV DNA copy numbers were associated with a longer duration of hospitalization. Further studies are needed to address whether specific antiviral treatment could be beneficial for BALF CMV positive patients.

Detection of cytomegalovirus by immunohistochemistry of colonic biopsies and quantitative blood polymerase chain reaction: evaluation of agreement in ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVES

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) often reactivates in ulcerative colitis (UC). In diagnostics, along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) of colonic biopsies, blood CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is gaining increasing application. We aimed to assess agreement between the density of infected colonic cells by IHC and the viral load in the blood by PCR.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with active UC or indeterminate colitis in whom blood CMV PCR had been performed while biopsies had been taken simultaneously. The latter were re-evaluated and the numbers of IHC-positive cells per square millimetre counted.

RESULTS

The analyses extended to 234 sample pairs, among which there were 184 cases (78.6% of the total) in which IHC was equal to 0. The median among the remaining 50 non-zero values for IHC was 1.7 cells/mm². PCR was equal to 0 in 192 cases (82.1%), while the median among the remaining 42 non-zero values was 4995.3 IU/ml. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.43 (p < .001). The area under the curve (AUC) values did not differ significantly between different IHC cut-offs. The highest AUC of 0.753 was obtained while predicting if IHC would be above the 3rd quartile (>5.6 cells/mm²), where PCR > 0 had a sensitivity of 0.615 and a specificity of 0.846.

CONCLUSIONS

In active CMV colitis, the specificity and negative predictive value of blood PCR are high, while the sensitivity grows with the intensity of colon infection. A highly positive result could justify the administration of antiviral treatment being brought forward in selected patients.

CMV Infection in Pediatric IBD

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are predisposed to infections. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis in adult IBD patients, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC), is related to severe or steroid-refractory disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the data on the prevalence and role of CMV colitis in children with IBD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data on CMV colitis in children continue to be very limited due to its rarity. As in adults, children with coexisting UC and CMV tend to have more severe colitis, are resistant to corticosteroids, and are at high risk for colectomies on short- and long-term follow-up. In children, as in adults, the significance of CMV colitis, in terms of whether CMV is a pathogen that aggravates acute severe colitis or simply reflects disease severity, is still unknown.

Review article: consensus statements on therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents can help optimise outcomes. Consensus statements based on current evidence will help the development of treatment guidelines.

AIM

To develop evidence-based consensus statements for TDM-guided anti-TNF therapy in IBD.

METHODS

A committee of 25 Australian and international experts was assembled. The initial draft statements were produced following a systematic literature search. A modified Delphi technique was used with 3 iterations. Statements were modified according to anonymous voting and feedback at each iteration. Statements with 80% agreement without or with minor reservation were accepted.

RESULTS

22/24 statements met criteria for consensus. For anti-TNF agents, TDM should be performed upon treatment failure, following successful induction, when contemplating a drug holiday and periodically in clinical remission only when results would change management. To achieve clinical remission in luminal IBD, infliximab and adalimumab trough concentrations in the range of 3-8 and 5-12 μg/mL, respectively, were deemed appropriate. The range may differ for different disease phenotypes or treatment endpoints-such as fistulising disease or to achieve mucosal healing. In treatment failure, TDM may identify mechanisms to guide subsequent decision-making. In stable clinical response, TDM-guided dosing may avoid future relapse. Data indicate drug-tolerant anti-drug antibody assays do not offer an advantage over drug-sensitive assays. Further data are required prior to recommending TDM for non-anti-TNF biological agents.

CONCLUSION

Consensus statements support the role of TDM in optimising anti-TNF agents to treat IBD, especially in situations of treatment failure.

Alteration of glucocorticoid receptors and exacerbation of inflammation during lytic cytomegalovirus infection in THP-1 cells

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with glucocorticoid resistance in ulcerative colitis (UC) and may exacerbate the disease course. However, the underlying pathogenicity remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore possible underlying mechanisms during CMV latency and lytic infection in the human mononuclear cell line THP‐1. Latent and activated CMV infection cell models were established. We performed real‐time PCR and western blotting to examine changes in glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) during CMV latency and activation. Pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. After UV‐inactivated CMV infection, GRs and cytokines were also examined. The expression of GRs was elevated in the reactivation group. An increased ratio of GR β/α and phosphorylation of GRα in the CMV reactivation group may explain refractory response to steroids. During CMV lytic infection, pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and TNF‐α increased remarkably and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐5 decreased, which may exacerbate UC. GR and cytokines were unchanged in the UV‐inactivated CMV infection group. Changes in the number and function of GRs may account for glucocorticoid resistance in CMV reactivation. The imbalance of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines may be related to severe inflammation.

Long-term outcomes of infliximab treatment and predictors of response in 195 patients with ulcerative colitis: a hospital-based cohort study from Korea

BACKGROUND

Large-scale studies regarding the long-term efficacy of infliximab (IFX) treatment in non-Caucasian patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are lacking.

STUDY

We analyzed the long-term outcomes of IFX in 195 Korean UC patients who received scheduled IFX treatments at Asan Medical Center. IFX failure was defined as IFX discontinuation due to colectomy or non-response to IFX, and additionally UC-related hospitalization or a need for rescue corticosteroids during the course of IFX.

RESULTS

Between December 2006 and October 2016, a total of 3101 infusions of IFX were administered to 195 patients over a median period of 21 months. At the end of the follow-up, 86 patients (44.1%) were still receiving IFX without failure. IFX was stopped in 73 (37.4%) patients due to colectomy (23 patients, 11.8%), non-response to IFX (35 patients, 17.9%) or other reasons such as adverse events or patients' preferences (15 patients, 7.7%). An additional 36 (18.5%) patients experienced IFX failure during follow-up due to a need for rescue corticosteroids (13 patients, 6.7%), UC-related hospitalization (8 patients, 4.1%), or both (15 patients, 7.7%). The survival free of IFX failure was 58.1% at 1 year, 50.7% at 3 years and 44.8% at 5 years. In a multivariate regression analysis, cytomegalovirus colitis within 3 months before IFX initiation was a predictor of IFX failure (hazard ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.37; p = .032).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term efficacy of IFX in a large, real-life cohort of Korean UC patients appears to be comparable to that in previously published Western studies.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by leukocytapheresis

Studies about leukocytapheresis have emerged with the need of search for alternatives to conventional treatment in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Leukocytapheresis is a novel non-pharmacologic approach for active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), in which leukocytes are mechanically removed from the circulatory system. Patients with active IBD treated with leukocytapheresis using a Cellsorba E column between 2012 and 2015, were enrolled in Turkey. In our experience, the results of leukocytapheresis therapy in 6 patients with CD and 20 patients with active UC were overviewed. Leukocytapheresis (10 sessions for remission induction therapy, 6 sessions for maintenance therapy) was applied to the patients with their concomitant medications. Intensive leukocytapheresis (≥4 leukocytapheresis sessions within the first 2 weeks) was used in 30% patients with active severe UC. The overall clinical remission rate in patients with UC was 80%, and the mucosal healing rate was 65%. Patients were followed for an average of 24 months. It was observed that clinical remission has continued in 65% of patients with UC. Mild relapse was observed in 3 patients with UC during follow up period. In 5 patients with CD significant clinical remission was achieved except only one patient. Surgical needs were disappeared in 3 patients with obstructive type Crohn's disease. Adverse events were seen in only 4.3% of 416 sessions. Any concomitant medications did not increase the incidence of adverse events. Our results indicate that leukocytapheresis is efficacious in improving remission rates with excellent tolerability and safety in patients with IBD.