A Prospective Study on the Clinical Significance of Infections in a Hospital Setting Among the Cirrhotic Patients and Their Outcomes

Aim and objectives The infection of microbial agents in cirrhosis has increased due to poor immunity, which increases morbidities and mortalities worldwide. The present study aimed to assess the incidence, the type of infections, the pattern of resistance, and the course of hospitalization among cirrhotic patients in the Eastern coastal region. Methodology The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, and the current study was undertaken for 24 months at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences, IMS, and SUM. Hospital, Bhubaneswar. Consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted with bacterial infection were prospectively evaluated, and the infection patterns were accessed. The data were collected in a well-structured proforma designed by our study team. Results Out of the total 200 cases, a fraction of 72.5% of males outnumbered the females; the mean age of presentation was 59 ± 12 years. A fraction of 59% of cases had the habit of consuming alcohol which amounted to the predominant etiological factor for cirrhosis, followed by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Urinary tract infection (UTI) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were more common types of infections in the healthcare-associated (HCA) group; however, pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) were predominant types of infections in community-acquired (CA) group. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were not significantly different amongst the three groups with infections at the time of Diagnosis infection and at the time of hospitalization. However, the MELD scores were substantially higher at the time of infection diagnosis than the MELD scores at the time of admission amongst the three groups with infection. Conclusion The present study showed that infections in cirrhosis were relatively common. Due to increasing resistance patterns, the judicious usage of antibiotics in cirrhosis could be the need of the hour.

Knowledge, Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B Among Urban Slum Dwellers and Residents of Social Welfare Home: A Cross sectional Study From Eastern India

Background/aims

In view of limited data on the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the available preventive strategies at the community level, it was aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of HBV in the community.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among residents of an urban slum and a social welfare home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from October 2019 to April 2021. The prevalence of HBV infection was also measured by testing the serum positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen using rapid point-of-care test kits. The statistical analysis was done by using the software SPSS version 20.

Results

A total of 370 individuals (mean age 38.7 ± 14.9 years, males: 55.1%) were assessed. Although 18.1% (67) had good knowledge, only 16.7% (62) had good awareness about HBV. Approximately 14.8% (55) knew that a vaccine is available in the country for HBV, and 6.2% (23) identified themselves as being vaccinated. Educational status was a significant independent predictor of knowledge and awareness such that people with education level of matriculation and above had odds of 11.05 (95% confidence interval: 5.3-22.7) and 14.7 (95% confidence interval: 6.5-33.1) for having good knowledge and awareness regarding HBV, respectively. A total of 10 participants tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen contributing to a point prevalence rate of 2.7%. The proportion of individuals with an education status of matriculation and above was higher in the slum area when compared with the welfare home (67% vs 33%; P < 0.001), the knowledge (71.6% vs 28.4%; P < 0.001) and so was the awareness (71% vs 29%; P < 0.001) about HBV as well.

Conclusion

The relatively low figures of knowledge and awareness identified in our study undermine the need for intensification of health education and promotion activities regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B infection on a large scale at the community level.

Evaluating the Association of Genetic Polymorphism of Cytochrome p450 (CYP2C9*3) in Gastric Cancer Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Background and aim

As a distinguished system, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme superfamily is involved in the biotransformation of several endogenous and exogenous substances including drugs, toxins, and carcinogens. Reports on the role of CYP enzyme in gastric cancer (GC) from the Eastern region of India are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 (CYP2C9*3) among cases with gastric malignancy.

Material and methods

The current study is a cross-sectional observational study carried out among 113 GC cases attending the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India, and Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, India. Two ml of venous blood was collected from the confirmed cases of GC. The samples were subjected to genomic DNA isolation followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results

The prevalence of both homozygous and heterozygous mutation in GC cases is 4% and 8%, respectively. The overall association of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 (CYP2C9) mutation in GC cases is 12% whereas 88% were detected as wild/standard type. The mutation CYP2C9 SNP has been seen in Helicobacter pylori-infected cases and as well as those without H. pylori infection.

Conclusions

The CYP2C9*3 genetic polymorphism might play a significant role as a risk factor for the development of gastric malignancy irrespective of H. pylori infection, among the eastern Indian population.

Factors Predicting Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is the earliest cardiac dysfunction noted in patients with liver cirrhosis, which increases the morbidity and mortality in such patients. There are sparse studies from India evaluating the predictive factors of LVDD in patients with cirrhosis. Hence we undertook this prospective study with an aim to evaluate the factors predicting the development of LVDD in liver cirrhosis. METHODS 104 patients with cirrhosis were enrolled in this prospective study. A detailed cardiac evaluation was done by 2 D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging by an experienced senior cardiologist. The severity of liver disease was defined by Model For End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Child-Pugh score. RESULTS The prevalence of LVDD was 46% in our study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum albumin, MELD score, and presence of ascites (OR = 0.1, 95%CI 0.03-0.3, p < 0.001; Or = 1.12, 95%CI 1.03-1.22, p < 0.001; OR = 4.19, 95%CI 1.38-12.65, p < 0.01, respectively) were independent predictors of LVDD in patients with cirrhosis. Diastolic dysfunction was unrelated to age, sex, and etiology of cirrhosis. The patients with cirrhosis and LVDD had significantly higher child Pugh score, MELD score, and lower serum albumin than patients without LVDD. The echocardiographic parameters like E/e' ratio, Deceleration time (DT), and Left atrial volume index (LAVI) were significantly different in cirrhotic patients with higher MELD and child Pugh score than lower. CONCLUSION The present study showed a significant correlation of diastolic dysfunction with the severity of the liver disease. Low serum albumin, high MELD score, and presence of ascites significantly predict the development of LVDD in patients with cirrhosis.

Fasciola hepatica association with gallbladder malignancy: A rare case report

Fasciolopsis is one of the rarest parasitic infestations in our locality. The usual definitive host is the sheep; humans are accidental hosts in the life cycle of a liver fluke - Fasciola. In the chronic phage of Fasciolopsis, the patient presents with cholestasis and cholangitis. Yet, there is no proof of association of this parasite with carcinoma of the gallbladder. We here present such a case of Fasciolopsis in association with Stage IV gallbladder malignancy. Fasciola worms were extracted on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography done as a palliative measure for associated obstructive jaundice. The chronic phase of this zoonotic infection can be easily misdiagnosed as any other cause of obstructive jaundice if not properly investigated. The importance of repeated stool examination for parasitic ova and cysts should never be understated as it may help in early diagnosis of such treatable conditions as well as preventing the complications.

Effect of Dapagliflozin on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Single-Center Survey

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, with a global prevalence of 20%-40%. Approximately 40%-60% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) experience NAFLD; out of which 20%-40% cases may have higher severity. Due to the scarcity of available reports from the eastern part of India, we aimed to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor used in these types of cases.

Material and methods

The study included consecutive patients with DM2 and NAFLD, treated with dapagliflozin at 10 mg daily for six months. All patients underwent detailed anthropometric, biochemical, abdominal ultrasonography, and transient elastography studies at baseline and after therapy as well as a comparative analysis.

Results

In the 100 patients included in our study, the male patients outnumbered the female patients (male-to-female ratio, 4.27:-1) and the mean age at presentation was 44.11 ± 8.24 years. The mean body mass index significantly decreased over the course of the therapy, from 27.31± 1.87 kg/m² at baseline to 26.21 ± 1.51 kg/m² after the therapy. The patients’ transaminitis, dyslipidemia, and glycemic status significantly improved over the course of the therapy. We also observed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in hepatic steatosis by the end of the treatment. Although transient elastography by FibroScan-measured hepatic fibrosis score (Echosens, Paris, France) significantly decreased from 6.95 ± 1.42 to 6 ± 1.44 kPa, hepatic fibrosis did not improve significantly (p ≥ 0.05) following therapy.

Conclusion

Although dapagliflozin improved body mass index, transaminitis, dyslipidemia, glycemic status, and hepatic steatosis, it had a minimal effect on hepatic fibrosis.

SPINK1 Mutation in Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis: How Pertinent Is It in Coastal Eastern India?

Background and aim Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) is said to be present when no identifiable etiology can be identified. Robust evidence suggested that the serine protease inhibitor nucleus Kazol type 1 (SPINK1) N34S mutation was frequently associated with ICP. As there is a paucity of data on genetic studies in ICP cases from the coastal eastern region of India, we performed this study with an aim to evaluate the SPINK1 genetic mutations and other associated clinical correlates in ICP cases. Material and methods Consecutive ICP cases attending the department of gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital, were enrolled and evaluated for the pertinent clinical history and undergone detailed biochemical and radiological evaluations. Two ml of venous blood in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) vials were collected from each case and subjected to a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test for genetic analysis. Result In this study, the mean age of the cases at the time of the first consultation with us and the age of the first clinical presentation were 34.52±6.44 and 28.73±5.52 years, respectively. Males outnumbered females (Male:Female - 2.12:1). Out of the total of 200 cases, 50% had no SPINK1 mutation, whereas 40% and 10% cases had SPINK1 N34S heterozygous and homozygous mutations, respectively. The mean age of clinical presentation, severe abdominal pain, exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, and parenchymal atrophy were significantly more common in mutants as compared to non-mutants (p-value <0.05). Conclusion In our region, 50% of ICP cases had the SPINK1 N34S mutation. The SPINK1 mutants had a relatively more severe variety of pancreatitis as compared to non-mutants.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Menstrual Cycle

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. Female patients with bowel disease commonly report worsening of symptoms in the menstrual cycle. However, there is a paucity of data regarding IBS presentations' variation during different phases of the menstrual cycle. The current study aimed to evaluate the same in female IBS patients.

Materials and Methods: Consecutive premenopausal female patients with the diagnosis of IBS attending the outdoor (OPD) of Department of Gastroenterology and Gynaecology; IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha from June 2019 to December 2019 were included in the study and evaluated by a set of questionnaires regarding various presentations during all the three phases of the menstrual cycle.

Results: Consecutive 102 cases with the diagnosis of IBS were included in the study and evaluated. The mean age of presentation was in mid-30s. Most of the subjects suffered from IBS mixed (IBS-M) type. More patients significantly suffered from constipation (27.27%) during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycles than the menstrual period of their cycles (p - 0.009). More than 50% of all the cases suffered from abdominal bloating during all phases of the menstrual cycle, which was quite disturbing and affected the quality of life. These IBS patients were more symptomatic with more significant limitation of daily activities, suffered from low quality of life, and obtained physician consultation during the menstrual phase as compared to other cycle stages.

Conclusion: Premenopausal female patients with IBS become much more symptomatic during the menstrual phase of the cycle than other stages of the cycle.

Fatty changes associated with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular carcinoma: a role of sonic hedgehog signaling pathway

Backgrounds and Aims: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality across the world. Non-viral etiological factors including obesity and metabolic syndrome have now become prevalent cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is activated in hepatocellular carcinoma but its role in regulation of lipogenic molecules during the hepatocarcinogenesis is not known. The aim of present study is to explore the role of SHH pathway in fatty changes associated with hepatocarcinogenesis at different stages and to further correlate the expression of SHH with lipogenic pathways.

Results: Our results demonstrated significant increase in lipidosis and fibrosis in DEN+CCl4 treated animals. It was simultaneously associated with the enhanced expression level of SHH, E2F1, adiponectin, and lipogenic molecules in DEN+CCl4 treated animals. These results were also corroborated with the similar findings in higher stage patients’ biospecimens.

Methods: N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) and Carbon TetraChloride (CCl4) induced hepatocellular acrcinoma model in male Wistar rats were established to study the expression level of SHH pathway and associated fatty changes during different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. The expression levels of SHH, E2F1, and lipogenic molecules were checked at different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma. These results were further compared with biospecimens of hepatocellular carcinoma patients of different stages.

Conclusions: Our results revealed an unknown aspect of SHH pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis via its control over lipogenesis. It gives insight into the lipogenic properties of DEN+CCl4 induced rodent hepatocarcinogenesis model and how SHH pathway operate to arbitrate this response.

Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment: hurdles, advances and prospects

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality and is particularly refractory to the available chemotherapeutic drugs. Among various etiologies of HCC, viral etiology is the most common, and, along with alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, accounts for almost 90% of all HCC cases. HCC is a heterogeneous tumor associated with multiple signaling pathway alterations and its complex patho-physiology has made the treatment decision challenging. The potential curative treatment options are effective only in small group of patients, while palliative treatments are associated with improved survival and quality of life for intermediate/advanced stage HCC patients. This review article focuses on the currently available treatment strategies and hurdles encountered for HCC therapy. The curative treatment options discussed are surgical resection, liver transplantation, and local ablative therapies which are effective for early stage HCC patients. The palliative treatment options discussed are embolizing therapies, systemic therapies, and molecular targeted therapies. Besides, the review also focuses on hurdles to be conquered for successful treatment of HCC and specifies the future prospects for HCC treatment. It also discusses the multi-modal approach for HCC management which maximizes the chances of better clinical outcome after treatment and identifies that selection of a particular treatment regimen based on patients' disease stage, patients' ages, and other underlying factors will certainly lead to a better prognosis.