Clinical study on the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination in hepatitis C virus related chronic liver diseases in Egypt

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections represent significant public health issues internationally. HBV vaccination has high sero-conversion rates in patients with mild to moderate chronic liver disease but has reduced efficacy in advanced stages.

AIM

to evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination in HCV-related chronic liver disease and identify possible factors that may contribute to hypo-responsiveness in those patients.

METHODS

Our study was a retrospective observational clinical study carried out at the tropical medicine department. It was conducted on 500 individuals (400 chronic HCV patients and 100 healthy controls). Individuals were divided into 5 groups: A (control group), B (cirrhotic patient not receiving treatment), C (chronic hepatitis patients receiving treatment), D (cirrhotic patients receiving treatment), and E (HCC patients receiving treatment). All individuals were subjected for comprehensive history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and assessment of anti-HBs titer.

RESULTS

There is an inverse relationship between the level of anti-HBs Abs and the duration of vaccine. Diabetes and presence of cirrhosis have statistically significant relationship with serum anti-HBs Abs titer (P = 0.007). Oral DAAs therapy is associated with reduced response to HBV vaccine (only 31.75% of the patients were protected).

CONCLUSION

HCV infection and its complications significantly impair HBV vaccine response. Levels of anti-HBs Abs decline progressively with increasing duration from the last dose in immunization schedule of HBV vaccine. Diabetes and presence of cirrhosis being the main risk factors for vaccine hypo-responsiveness, also oral DAAs therapy is associated with reduced response to HBV vaccine.

Relation between Cytokine Levels and Pulmonary Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients: A Case-Control Study

Aim: The study aimed to assess the relationships between serum cytokine levels and pulmonary dysfunctions in individuals with COVID-19. These correlations may help to suggest strategies for prevention and therapies of coronavirus disease. Patients and methods: Fifty healthy participants and one hundred COVID-19 patients participated in this study. COVID-19 participants were subdivided into moderate and severe groups based on the severity of their symptoms. In both patients and healthy controls, white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes counts and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-35 levels were estimated. All the patients were examined by chest computed tomography (CT) and the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) score was assessed. Results: All COVID-19 patients had increased WBCs count and CRP, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-35 serum levels than healthy controls. Whereas WBCs, CRP, and cytokines like IL-6 showed significantly higher levels in the severe group as compared to moderate patients, IL-4, IL-35, and IL-18 showed comparable levels in both disease groups. Lymphocytes count in all patient groups exhibited a significant decrease as compared to the heathy controls and it was significantly lower in severe COVID-19 than moderate. Furthermore, CO-RADS score was positively connected with WBCs count as well as CRP and cytokine (IL-35, IL-18, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-1β) levels in both groups. CO-RADS score, also demonstrated a positive correlation with lymphocytes count in the moderate COVID-19 patients, whereas it demonstrated a negative correlation in the severe patients. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that IL-1β, IL-4, IL-18, and IL-35 were fair (acceptable) predictors for COVID-19 in moderate cases. Whereas IL-6 was good predictor of COVID-19 in severe cases (AUC > 0.800), IL-18 and IL-35 were fair. Conclusion: Severe COVID-19 patients, compared to individuals with moderate illness and healthy controls, had lower lymphocyte counts and increased CRP with greater WBCs counts. In contrast to moderate COVID-19 patients, severe COVID-19 patients had higher levels of IL-6, but IL-4, IL-18, and IL-35 between both illness categories were at close levels. IL-6 level was the most potent predictor of COVID-19 progress and severity. CO-RADS 5 was the most frequent category in both moderate and severe cases. Patients with a typical CO-RADS involvement had a higher CRP and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-18, and IL-35) levels and WBCs count with a lower lymphocyte number than the others. Cytokine and CRP levels as well as WBCs and lymphocyte counts were considered surrogate markers of severe lung affection and pneumonia in COVID 19 patients.

Impact of COVID-19 on endoscopic follow-up of gastroesophageal varices

Background

Portal hypertension is considered as a major complication of liver cirrhosis. Endoscopy plays a main role in managing of gastrointestinal complications of portal hypertension. Endoscopists are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection because upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure and may be a potential route for COVID-19.

Objectives

To compare the outcome between cirrhotic patients who underwent classic regular endoscopic variceal ligation after primary bleeding episode every 2–4 weeks, and those presented during the era of COVID-19 and their follow-up were postponed 2 months later.

Methods

This retrospective study included cross-matched 238 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension presented with upper GI bleeding, 112 cirrhotic patients presented during the era of COVID19 (group A) underwent endoscopic variceal ligation, another session after 2 weeks and their subsequent follow-up was postponed 2 months later, and 126 cirrhotic patients as control (group B) underwent regular endoscopic variceal band ligation after primary bleeding episode every 2–4 weeks.

Results

Eradication of varices was achieved in 32% of cases in group A, and 46% in group was not any statistically significant (p > 0.05); also, there was no any statistical significant difference between both groups regarding occurrence of rebleeding, post endoscopic symptoms, and mortality rate (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Band ligation and injection of esophageal and gastric vary every 2 months were as effective and safe as doing it every 2 to 4 weeks after primary bleeding episode for further studies and validation.

The effectiveness and safety of ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir in adolescents with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection: a real-world experience

BACKGROUND

The combination of ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir was recently approved for treatment of adolescent (12-17 years) HCV genotype 1, 4, 5 & 6 patients. However, few clinical trials have been performed in genotype 1 patients.

AIM

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir in chronic HCV adolescent patients with genotype 4 in the real world.

METHODS

This prospective multicentre (six centres) open-label study included 144 adolescent chronic HCV patients with genotype 4 (mean age 14 ± 2, 69% males). All patients received a combination tablet containing 400 mg sofosbuvir and 90 mg ledipasvir once daily for 12 weeks. Laboratory and virological markers were evaluated at baseline, week 4, week 8 and week 12 (EOT), and 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12).

RESULTS

SVR12 was observed in 142/144 patients (99%). The relapsers occurred in previous naïve patients (n = 2/128, 2%), while the experienced patients showed 100% SVR12. SVR12 was 98% in F0/F1 patients in comparison to 100% in F2 patients (P = 0.552). No serious side effects were observed, nor was treatment discontinuation or death. Headache was the most common side effect in all patients (20%). In experienced patients, pruritus (31%, P = 0.007), diarrhoea (44%, P < 0.001) and skin rash (19%, P = 0.002) were higher than in naïve patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir regimen is well tolerated and effective, and can be used safely in treating adolescent patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus simeprevir therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C: a real-world experience

BACKGROUND

Simeprevir plus sofosbuvir (SIM/SOF) regimen was recommended by professional guidelines for certain patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and there is lack of data about this regimen in patients with genotype 4 infection.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this regimen in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection in the real world.

METHODS

Multicentre observational study included 583 patients with HCV genotype 4 infection who began 12 weeks of treatment with SIM plus SOF. Demographic, clinical and virological data as well as adverse outcomes were collected. Treatment naïve patients were 342 (59%) of all included patients, 45% of patients had severe fibrosis (F3 and F4) while 55% had mild fibrosis (F1 and F2) and the primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR).

RESULTS

The overall SVR rate was 95.7% (558 out of 583 patients). In total, SVR12 in naïve patients with mild fibrosis score (F1 and F2) was achieved in 98.9% (94/95) for F1 and 98.1% (105/107) for F2, while naïve patients with severe fibrosis (F3 and F4) achieved SVR of 97.7% (86/88) for F3 and (42/52) 80.8% for F4. SVR in patients with previous interferon treatment achieved in 100% (45/45) for patients with F1 and 98.7% (74/75) for F2. While 94.7% (72/76) in experienced patients with F3; and 88.9% (40/45) for F4 achieved SVR12. Notable side effects included rash in 21 patients, photosensitivity in 18 patients, pruritus in 44 patients and hyperbilirubinemia in 42 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week regimen of simeprevir/sofosbuvir was efficacious and well tolerated by treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with chronic HCV genotype 4.

Clinical significance and diagnostic value of serum dickkopf-1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. It has been widely established that the early detection of HCC enables more treatment options and translates to improved survival.

AIM

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of DKK1 as a serum protein marker for HCC by examining its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in HCC.

METHODS

We analyzed data for 50 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC as the studied group. Twenty patients with chronic hepatitis C and 20 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis will serve as control group. DKK1 was measured in serum by ELISA. We used receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to calculate its diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

We assessed serum DKK1 in 90 participants: 50 with HCC (studied group), 20 with chronic HCV infection, and 20 with liver cirrhosis (as control group). Serum concentration of DKK1 was significantly higher in HCC group and values did not differ significantly between the two control groups. We performed multivariate regression analysis using AFP level, number of focal lesions, focal lesion size and Portal vein thrombosis as an independent variable. ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cut off was 1.5 ng/mL (sensitivity 67.5%, specificity 89.3%).

CONCLUSION

Serum DKK1 could potentially be used for early diagnosis of HCC and complement measurement of AFP in the diagnosis of HCC.

Chronic hepatitis C-associated thrombocytopenia: aetiology and management

Thrombocytopenia is perhaps the most common haematological abnormality in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In these patients, the presence of thrombocytopenia may be a limiting factor when considering antiviral therapy and may be associated with decreased sustained virological response rates. Thrombocytopenia may interfere with diagnostic procedures such as liver biopsy, because of risk of bleeding. Pathogenetic mechanisms include hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension, bone marrow suppression resulting from either HCV itself or interferon treatment, and aberrations of the immune system resulting in the formation of anti-platelet antibodies and/or immune-complexes that bind to platelets and facilitate their premature clearance. The ability to increase platelet levels could significantly reduce the need for platelet transfusions and facilitate the use of interferon-based antiviral therapy and other medically indicated treatments in patients with liver disease. Therapeutic options include pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. This review summarizes the available data on these therapeutic options.

Bile aspiration cytology in diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma: factors associated with positive yields

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In bile duct carcinoma (BDC) patients, bile aspiration cytology (BAC) is an established method for cytodiagnosis. However, almost all previous reports investigated the biliary strictures caused not only by BDC but also by gallbladder and pancreatic carcinomas. Therefore, BAC in BDC patients only has not yet been investigated sufficiently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual sensitivity of BAC and to evaluate the factors that affect positive yields of BAC in patients with defined BDC.

METHODS

Data on 47 consecutive patients with definite BDC, who underwent BAC via endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD), were retrospectively collected. Fourteen factors were studied for association with positive BAC.

RESULTS

The number of cytological samplings ranged from 1 to 14 times. The cumulative diagnostic yield was 72.3% (34/47), and 32 positive results were obtained at a maximum of six samplings. Independent factors associated with positive BAC were perihilar location, stricture length ≥ 2 cm, and macroscopic papillary type.

CONCLUSION

In BDC patients with ENBD or PTCD, repeated BAC is useful, and six times was the optimum number of repeat samplings. Although the sensitivity of BAC is not sufficient for the preoperative diagnosis of malignant biliary stricture, the three independent factors noted above predict positive yields and indicate whether or not BAC should be repeated up to six times.

Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization into the peripheral circulation in patients with chronic liver diseases

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed to investigate and compare the kinetics of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (BMHSC) migration in the peripheral blood and liver in response to liver injury in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHODS

In all, 45 CLD patients staged with Child-Pugh A, B and C and 15 healthy participants were evaluated for the concentration of circulating BMHSC by a flow cytometric analysis of CD133(+) /CD34(+) cells. In addition, homing BMHSC and hepatic progenitors were assessed by the immunohistochemical detection of CD133(+) and OV6(+) cells in liver biopsy specimens from Child-Pugh A and B patients.

RESULTS

No significant difference in the percentage of circulating CD133(+) /CD34(+) cells was observed among all groups of patients. In liver tissues, OV6(+) cells increased significantly in Child-Pugh B cases (P < 0.05), while CD133(+) cells were distributed sparsely in the periportal region in Child-Pugh A and B patients. OV6(+) cells were significantly correlated with CD34(+) cells but not with CD133(+) cells in Child-Pugh A and B patients (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Various degrees of severity in CLD neither evoked the mobilization of BMHSC into the circulation nor triggered their homing into liver tissue, thus excluding extrahepatic stem cell-mediated repair. The recovery process seems to be dependent on proliferating endogenous liver progenitors (OV6(+) cells).

Incidence and risk factors of retinopathy in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

BACKGROUND

Data are scarce on ocular complications in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of retinal lesions induced by interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 84 patients with chronic hepatitis C (total 168 eyes), who underwent combination pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for 48 weeks. Visual acuity, color vision, and visual field were measured, and a fundus assessment was made at baseline, at 12, 24, and 48 weeks post the commencement of treatment, and at follow-up, 1 month after treatment. Past medical and ocular histories, visual symptoms, and the results of a full ophthalmologic assessment were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (26%) developed retinopathy. Retinal hemorrhage was observed in eight patients. Four patients complained of visual disturbance. Retinopathy disappeared in 16 patients (73%) despite the continuation of combination therapy. However, retinopathy persisted in six patients with retinal hemorrhage and three of them stopped treatment. A comparison of the clinical backgrounds between the patients with and without retinopathy showed no significant differences with regard to gender, HCV RNA level, white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin level, or fibrosis score. However patients with retinopathy were of older age, had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and more often did not respond to therapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension and diabetes were factors predicting retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

Retinopathy associated with interferon α-2a and ribavirin combination therapy tends to develop in patients of older age with hypertension and diabetes.

Hepatitis C virus (genotype 4)-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis: effects of antiviral treatment

OBJECTIVE

Type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a systemic vasculitis usually associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN alfa-2a) plus ribavirin in patients with HCV-related MC vasculitis and evaluate the factors associated with clinical remission of MC.

METHODS

A total of 46 consecutive patients with HCV-related Type II MC received PEG-IFN alfa-2a (standard dose 180 mg/week) subcutaneously plus oral ribavirin (800-1,200 mg/day) for 48 weeks. The response to treatment was analyzed by comparing clinical, immunologic, and virologic parameters at the initial evaluation with those observed at the end of follow-up. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with clinical remission.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients (48%) had a sustained virologic response and were complete clinical responders. Serum cryoglobulin disappeared in 26 of 46 patients (56%), and complement levels normalized in 70% of the patients. In univariate analysis, factors associated with complete clinical response were early virologic response at 4 weeks [OR 1.4 (95% CI 0.1-17.1)], proteinuria [OR 1.4 (95% CI 0.2-8.2)] and the fibrosis score [OR 1.09 (95% CI 0.6-1.9)], peripheral neuropathy [OR 0.9 (95% CI 0.1-6.5)], arthralgia [OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.1-3.9)], sicca syndrome [OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.1-3.2)], cryoglobulin [OR 0.2 (95% CI 0.07-1.09)], and purpura [OR 0.1 (95% CI 0.01-1.3)]. In multivariate analysis, only cryoglobulinemia was independently associated with complete clinical response. No patient had side effects for which discontinuation of therapy was required.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that treatment with PEG-IFN alfa-2a plus ribavirin can achieve a complete clinical response in patients with HCV-related MC. Complete clinical response correlates with the eradication of HCV.

Nitric oxide levels and sustained virological response to pegylated-interferon alpha2a plus ribavirin in chronic HCV genotype 4 hepatitis: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in infectious diseases is gaining attention because of its antiviral effects.

AIM

To evaluate whether serum and hepatic NO levels are predictors of the outcome of treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.

METHODS

Fifty six patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 treated with pegylated interferon (IFN) alpha-2a plus ribavirin underwent blood tests, assessment of serum level of NO and hepatic tissue expression of NO synthase (iNOS) before and during treatment.

RESULTS

The pre-treatment serum NO level was significantly higher in sustained responders (SR) [39.583 (35-43.8)] compared to relapsers [36.25 (26-43.8)], and non responders (NR) [35.417 (25.0-43.8)]. During treatment, the serum NO level was significantly higher in SR [58.125 (47.9-60.6)] compared to relapsers [53.854 (47.9-59.4)] and NR [50 (42.9-59.4)]. The pre-treatment iNOS expression was significantly higher in SR [37.5 (15-75)] compared with either relapsers [25 (15-45)] and or NR [20 (2-45)]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the serum NO was correlated with the virological response to pegylated interferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin therapy.

CONCLUSION

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, nitric oxide levels may be associated with the outcome of pegylated-IFN-α 2a plus ribavirin treatment.

Portal hypertensive enteropathy before and after variceal obliteration: an endoscopic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical study

AIM

To study portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) before and after the obliteration of esophageal varices.

METHODS

30 patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices were included. Band ligation was performed for every patient until the obliteration of esophageal varices. Enteroscopy and biopsies from gastric, duodenal and jejunal mucosa were taken at the beginning of the study and after variceal obliteration. Morphometric measurement of mean vascular areas and estimation of tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also completed.

RESULTS

The number of patients with enteropathy increased from 6.6% before obliteration to 46.7% after variceal obliteration (p< 0.001). Angiogenesis, vascular ectasia and blood extravasation were the main histopathological findings and all increased significantly after variceal obliteration. The mean vascular area of ectatic vessels in the gastric, duodenal and jejunal biopsies also increased after variceal obliteration. The mean VEGF in the gastric, duodenal and jejunal biopsies increased after variceal obliteration. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were significantly lower after variceal obliteration.

CONCLUSION

the portal hypertensive enteropathic changes increased in frequency and severity after esophageal variceal obliteration with a probability of causing anemia.

Is irritable bowel syndrome associated with chronic hepatitis C?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common chronic infection that is widely associated with symptoms of fatigue and abdominal pain. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among patients with hepatitis C compared to controls.

METHODS

This study included 258 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 36 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 160 healthy volunteers. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded for every patient. All patients and controls were administered a questionnaire of IBS according to Rome III criteria.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with IBS was significantly higher in patients with chronic HCV (66%, 170/258) than chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV; 22%, 8/36) and normal controls (18%, 28/160 patients; P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between chronic HBV and normal controls. In chronic HCV patients, IBS with constipation was the predominant type (51%, 86/170) followed by mixed IBS (73/170, 43%). In patients with chronic HCV, the percentage of females with IBS (91%) was significantly higher than those without IBS (9%; P < 0.001), and the percentage of patients with a high fibrosis score (F2-3) was significantly higher in patients with IBS (45%) than in patients without IBS (6%; P < 0.001). There was no difference regarding age, alanine aminotransferase level, or HCV viremia. A multivariate regression analysis revealed a significant association between sex, fibrosis score, and IBS.

CONCLUSION

IBS is more prevalent in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Female patients with chronic HCV and those with higher fibrosis scores are more likely to have IBS.

Renal duplex Doppler ultrasound in patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis

AIM

To study the renal resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) measured by renal Doppler in various stages of liver cirrhosis and their values to detect cirrhotic patients at risk for developing the hepatorenal syndrome.

METHODS

This study included 60 cirrhotic patients divided into 4 groups (15 patients each): compensated liver cirrhosis (group A), diuretic responsive ascites (group B), refractory ascites (group C), hepatorenal syndrome (group D) and ten healthy persons as the control group (E). All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and clinical examination. Laboratory investigations included simple urine analysis, complete blood picture, liver function tests, blood urea and serum creatinine, serum sodium and serum potassium, 24-hour urine collection for sodium concentration, creatinine concentration and protein concentration. Ultrasonographic examination and renal duplex Doppler ultrasonography were undertaken to assess the RI and PI.

RESULTS

The RI of both interlobar and arcuate arteries was significantly higher in all patient groups than in the control group (p<0.01). The RI was significantly higher in patients with refractory ascites than in patients with diuretic responsive ascites, and also in patients with diuretic responsive ascites than in patients with compensated cirrhosis (p<0.01); in patients with hepatorenal syndrome than in patients with diuretic responsive ascites and patients with compensated cirrhosis (p<0.0001). The PI was significantly higher in all patients groups than in the control group (p<0.01) and in patients with refractory ascites than in patients with diuretic responsive ascites and was also higher in patients with responsive ascites than in patients with compensated cirrhosis (p<0.0001). Also, the PI was significantly higher in patients with hepatorenal syndrome than in patients with responsive ascites and patients with compensated cirrhosis (p<0.0001). Creatinine clearance in patients with the hepatorenal syndrome was significantly lower than that of other different groups (p<0.0001) but there was no significant change in creatinine clearance between patients with compensated cirrhosis and control group. While creatinine clearance in patients with diuretic responsive ascites was significantly higher than that in patients with compensated cirrhosis (p<0.05) there was no significant change between patients with diuretic responsive ascites and patients with refractory ascites.

CONCLUSION

Both renal resistive index and pulsatility index increase with the degree of hepatic decompensation. Renal duplex ultrasound which is a non-invasive, simple and easy method to study intrarenal hemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis may predict patients at risk of hepatorenal impairment.

Barrett’s esophagus: Prevalence and risk factors in patients with chronic GERD in Upper Egypt

AIM: To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in El Minya and Assuit, Upper Egypt.

METHODS: One thousand consecutive patients with chronic GERD symptoms were included in the study over 2 years. They were subjected to history taking including a questionnaire for GERD symptoms, clinical examination and upper digestive tract endoscopy. Endoscopic signs suggestive of columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) were defined as mucosal tongues or an upward shift of the squamocolumnar junction. BE was diagnosed by pathological examination when specialized intestinal metaplasia was detected histologically in suspected CLE. pH was monitored in 40 patients.

RESULTS: BE was present in 7.3% of patients with chronic GERD symptoms, with a mean age of 48.3 ± 8.2 years, which was significantly higher than patients with GERD without BE (37.4 ± 13.6 years). Adenocarcinoma was detected in eight cases (0.8%), six of them in BE patients. There was no significant difference between patients with BE and GERD regarding sex, smoking, alcohol consumption or symptoms of GERD. Patients with BE had significantly longer esophageal acid exposure time in the supine position, measured by pH monitoring.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of BE in patients with GERD who were referred for endoscopy was 7.3%. BE seems to be associated with older age and more in patients with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.

Oesophageal motility defects associated with nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux on proton pump inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Recent studies from our laboratory reveal that 70% of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on proton pump inhibitors twice daily (b.d.) have nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (gastric pH < 4 > 1 h) which is often accompanied by oesophageal acid exposure. The pathogenesis of GER during gastric acid breakthrough is not clear.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of oesophageal motility abnormalities in patients with nocturnal GER associated with nocturnal acid breakthrough on proton pump inhibitor b.d.

METHODS

We reviewed the pH-metry and manometric studies of 100 consecutive patients with GERD who were on proton pump inhibitor b.d. pH tracings were analysed for the nocturnal period (10.00 hours until 06.00 hours). Nocturnal GER was defined as> 0.5% time distal oesophageal pH < 4. Manometric tracings were reviewed for lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and oesophageal body motility. Chi-squared and Fischer's test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 100 patients, 74 (74%) had nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough. Thirty-one (42%) had concurrent abnormal nocturnal GER (refluxers) and 43 out of 74 (58%) had no GER (non-refluxers). The prevalence of ineffective oesophageal motility, and low LES pressure was significantly higher in refluxers than in non-refluxers (P < 0. 05, P < 0.001, respectively). Ineffective-oesophageal motility has a high specificity (91%), but low sensitivity (45%) as a diagnostic predictor for patients who are more likely to develop nocturnal GER on proton pump inhibitor b.d.

CONCLUSION

Ineffective oesophageal motility is a risk factor for proton pump inhibitor refractory GER.

Ineffective esophageal motility: the most common motility abnormality in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms

OBJECTIVE

The association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and respiratory symptoms is well known. The coexistence of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM, low-amplitude [< 30 mm Hg] or nontransmitted contractions in > or = 30% of 10 wet swallows in the distal esophagus) in patients with GERD has recently been demonstrated. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of IEM in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms.

METHODS

Manometry and pH studies of 98 consecutive patients with respiratory symptoms and abnormal reflux shown by pH-metry were reviewed. Symptoms were chronic cough (n = 43), asthma (n = 13), and laryngitis (n = 42). Sixty-six patients with heartburn with no extraesophageal manifestations were used as a control group. Total esophageal acid clearance (EAC) time was calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

IEM was the most common motility abnormality seen in all groups of GERD patients. It was seen significantly more often in patients with chronic cough (41%) (p = 0.003) or asthma (53%) (p = 0.01), and numerically more often in patients with laryngitis (31%) than in patients with heartburn (19%). Diffuse esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophagus were rarely seen. Incidence of hypertensive or hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter was similar across all groups. The total EAC time was longer (median: 1.51 min/episode) (p = 0.01) in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms than in patients with heartburn (median: 0.72 min/episode).

CONCLUSIONS

IEM is the most prevalent motility abnormality in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms. Coexistence of IEM with GER may place patients at high risk for respiratory symptoms due to the associated delayed esophageal acid clearance seen with this motility abnormality.

Detection of circulating antigens in patients with active Schistosoma haematobium infection

An antigen-capture ELISA using monoclonal antibody (MAb) 128C3/3/21 was used to detect circulating parasite-derived antigens in the sera of patients actively infected with Schistosoma haematobium (31 males and four females, 5-25 years of age). The assay had a sensitivity of 100% (35 of 35 patients with antigen levels > 80 ng/ml) and a specificity > 99%. We used this ELISA to monitor antigenemia before treatment and one, three, and six months after treatment with a single oral dose of praziquantel (PZQ) (60 mg/kg in 20 patients or 40 mg/kg in 15 patients) and compared our findings with those indicated by other measures of disease progression. Circulating antigen levels decreased drastically after PZQ treatment (P < 0.001), with a significantly higher decrease occurring after treatment with 60 mg/kg than with 40 mg/kg. Although the mean antigen level was still significantly reduced (P < 0.001) at six months after treatment, 16 patients remained antigen-positive after six months, and nine had increased levels of antigenemia, reflecting reinfection in six patients and persistence of infection in another. We observed a correlation (r = 0.6, P < 0.01) between the level of circulating antigen and the intensity of infection as measured by egg count. We also found a direct relationship (P < 0.001) between antigen level and the severity of the disease as monitored by ultrasonography. We conclude that our ELISA may be a useful adjunct to other methods, such as ultrasonography, for monitoring the course of S. haematobium infection and treatment.