Current trends in access to treatment for hepatitis B in immigrants vs non-immigrants

Background

Universal vaccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and migratory movements have changed the demographic characteristics of this disease in Spain and in Europe. Therefore, we evaluated the characteristics of the disease and the possible differences according to origin (immigrants vs non-immigrants) and access to treatment.

Methods

This is a multicenter cross-sectional study (June 2014 to May 2015) in which outpatients with a positive HBsAg were seen and followed in four Hepatology units. Demographic and clinical data and indication and access to treatment were collected in two different regions of Catalonia (Spain) where there are no barriers to treatment due to a comprehensive coverage under the National Health System.

Results

A total of 951 patients were evaluated (48.1% men). Of these, 46.6% were immigrants (58.7% of them were born in Africa) and were significantly younger compared to non-immigrants. The proportions of patients with alcohol consumption, being overweight, and other indicators of metabolic co-morbidities were significantly higher in non-immigrants. Among the 937 patients receiving HBeAg examination, 91.7% were HBeAg-negative. Chronic HBeAg-positive infection was significantly higher in immigrants (3.9% vs 0.6%, P = 0.001) and chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis was higher non-immigrants (31.7% vs 21.4%, P < 0.001). Not only was the proportion of patients who met treatment criteria significantly higher among non-immigrants (38.4% vs 29.2%, P = 0.003), but also the proportion of those with indication of effectively receiving therapy at the time of data collection (83.2% vs 57.8 %, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The immigrant population with HBV is younger and has a lower prevalence of metabolic co-morbidities and a higher frequency of chronic HBeAg infection. Despite having access to care and an indication for treatment, some do not get adequately treated due to several factors including local adaptation that precludes access to treatment.

Deep-sequencing reveals broad subtype-specific HCV resistance mutations associated with treatment failure

A percentage of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients fail direct acting antiviral (DAA)-based treatment regimens, often because of drug resistance-associated substitutions (RAS). The aim of this study was to characterize the resistance profile of a large cohort of patients failing DAA-based treatments, and investigate the relationship between HCV subtype and failure, as an aid to optimizing management of these patients. A new, standardized HCV-RAS testing protocol based on deep sequencing was designed and applied to 220 previously subtyped samples from patients failing DAA treatment, collected in 39 Spanish hospitals. The majority had received DAA-based interferon (IFN) α-free regimens; 79% had failed sofosbuvir-containing therapy. Genomic regions encoding the nonstructural protein (NS) 3, NS5A, and NS5B (DAA target regions) were analyzed using subtype-specific primers. Viral subtype distribution was as follows: genotype (G) 1, 62.7%; G3a, 21.4%; G4d, 12.3%; G2, 1.8%; and mixed infections 1.8%. Overall, 88.6% of patients carried at least 1 RAS, and 19% carried RAS at frequencies below 20% in the mutant spectrum. There were no differences in RAS selection between treatments with and without ribavirin. Regardless of the treatment received, each HCV subtype showed specific types of RAS. Of note, no RAS were detected in the target proteins of 18.6% of patients failing treatment, and 30.4% of patients had RAS in proteins that were not targets of the inhibitors they received. HCV patients failing DAA therapy showed a high diversity of RAS. Ribavirin use did not influence the type or number of RAS at failure. The subtype-specific pattern of RAS emergence underscores the importance of accurate HCV subtyping. The frequency of "extra-target" RAS suggests the need for RAS screening in all three DAA target regions.

Case-finding in primary care for coeliac disease: Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a rapid point-of-care test

Background

An on-site, rapid, fingertip, whole-blood point-of-care test (POCT) is attractive for active case-finding of coeliac disease (CD) in primary care because of its simplicity.

Aim

The aim of this article is to assess the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of adult case-finding using a POCT based on deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (IgA/IgG-DGP) in primary care for CD diagnosis.

Methods

A case-finding study for CD was conducted by using an easy-to-use, on-site, whole-blood for IgA/IgG-DGP-based fingertip POCT compared with tTG2 in 350 individuals. Sample size was calculated based on 0.28% prevalence in the reference population. Duodenal biopsies for histology, intraepithelial lymphocytes and in situ deposition of tTG2 were obtained if tTG2 and/or POCT were positive. Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of strategies using serology or POCT were calculated.

Results

Prevalence of CD was 1.14% (95% CI, 0.3–3.4), almost double what was previously observed. Four patients were diagnosed with CD. tTG2 was positive in three (0.85%) and POCT in 29 (8.2%). Sensitivity of POCT for CD was 100%, specificity 93%, PPV 14%, and NPV 100%. POCT followed by duodenal biopsy was the most cost-effective approach in our setting (standard diagnosis: €13,033/case; POCT + duodenal biopsy: €7360/case).

Conclusions

A negative POCT allows ruling out CD in primary care, making it suitable for case-finding. POCT strategy was the most cost effective.

Regional Specialisation of T Cell Subsets and Apoptosis in the Human Gut Mucosa: Differences Between Ileum and Colon in Healthy Intestine and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is very limited information regarding region-specific immunological response in human intestine. We aimed to determine differences in immune compartmentalisation between ileum and colon in healthy and inflamed mucosa.

METHODS

T cell profile and its apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, Th1, Th17, Treg [CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)], double positive [DP, CD3(+)CD4(+)CD8(+)] and double negative T cells [DN, CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-)], immunohistochemistry [FOXP3, caspase-3], and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] [IFN-γ, IL-17-A, and FOXP3] on biopsies from different regions of healthy intestine and of intestine in inflammatory bowel diseases.

RESULTS

Healthy colon showed higher percentages of Treg, Th17, and DN, and lower numbers of DP T cells compared with ileum [p < 0.05]. Some but not all region-specific differences were lost in inflammatory conditions. Disease-specific patterns were found: a Th1/Th17 pattern and a Th17 pattern in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis respectively, whereas a reduction in Th1/Th17 was found in microscopic colitis. In colonic Crohn's disease and microscopic colitis, DN T cells had a pattern inverse to that of Th1/Th17 (increase in microscopic colitis [p < 0.05] and decrease in Crohn's disease [p < 0.005]). Higher levels of lymphocyte apoptosis were found in healthy colon compared with the ileal counterparts [p = 0.001]. All forms of colonic inflammation presented a dramatic decrease in apoptosis compared with healthy colon. By contrast ileal Crohn's disease showed higher levels of cleaved-Caspase(+) CD3(+) cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunological differences exist in healthy gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory processes overwhelm some location-specific differences, whereas others are maintained. Care has to be taken when analysing immune response in intestinal inflammation, as location-specific differences may be relevant.

Immunological Differences between Lymphocytic and Collagenous Colitis

BACKGROUND

Lymphocytic (LC) and collagenous (CC) colitis are the two major forms of microscopic colitis (MC). The aim of this study was to identify similarities and differences in their mucosal immune characteristics.

METHODS

Colonic biopsies from 15 CC, 8 LC, and 10 healthy controls were collected. Mucosal lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry. Tissue gene expression and protein levels were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

LC patients had lower numbers of CD4(+) and double-positive CD4(+)CD8(+)mucosal T lymphocytes, and higher numbers of CD8(+) and CD4(+)TCRγδ(+) mucosal T cells, compared with controls and CC patients. Regulatory Treg (CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)) and double-negative (CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-)) T cell percentages were higher in both CC and LC compared with controls, coupled with higher levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10, both at mRNA and protein levels. By contrast, Th1 and Th17 cells were lower in both CC and LC, although gene expression of Th1/Th17 cytokines was higher in both.

CONCLUSION

CC and LC share some regulatory and effector mechanisms, but not others. Higher IL-10 levels and higher Treg and double-negative T cell percentages, found in both CC and LC, could be responsible for the lack of progression of structural damage and the blockade of proinflammatory cytokine production. However, CC and LC are revealed as separate, independent entities, as they show clearly different mucosal lymphocyte profiles, which could be caused by different luminal triggers of the two diseases. Hence, CC and LC are two closely related but independent intestinal disorders.

Randomised clinical trial: colestyramine vs. hydroxypropyl cellulose in patients with functional chronic watery diarrhoea

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic bile acid malabsorption (BAM) has been suggested as a cause of chronic watery diarrhoea, with a response to colestyramine in 70% of patients. However, the efficacy of this drug has never been investigated in placebo-controlled trials.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of colestyramine as compared with hydroxypropyl cellulose in the treatment of functional chronic watery diarrhoea.

METHODS

Patients with chronic watery diarrhoea were randomly assigned to groups given colestyramine sachets 4 g twice daily (n = 13) or identical hydroxypropyl cellulose sachets (n = 13) for 8 weeks. The primary end-point was clinical remission defined as a mean of 3 or fewer stools per day during the week before the visit, with less than 1 watery stool per day. A secondary end-point was the reduction in daily watery stool number. SeHCAT test was performed in all patients, but an abnormal test was not a prerequisite to be included.

RESULTS

All included patients had a SeHCAT 7-day retention ≤20%. There were no statistical differences in the percentage of patients in clinical remission at week 8 between colestyramine and hydroxypropyl cellulose with either intention-to-treat (53.8% vs. 38.4%; P = 0.43) or per-protocol (63.6% vs. 38.4%; P = 0.22) analyses. However, the mean per cent decrease in watery stool number was significantly higher with colestyramine than with hydroxypropyl cellulose (-92.4 ± 3.5% vs. -75.8 ± 7.1%; P = 0.048). The rate of adverse events related to study drugs did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Colestyramine (4 g twice daily) is effective and safe for short-term treatment of patients with chronic watery diarrhoea presumably secondary to BAM. Clinical Trials Register number EudraCT 2009-011149-14.

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte cytometric pattern is more accurate than subepithelial deposits of anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA for the diagnosis of celiac disease in lymphocytic enteritis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

An increase in CD3+TCRγδ+ and a decrease in CD3- intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) is a characteristic flow cytometric pattern of celiac disease (CD) with atrophy. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of both CD IEL cytometric pattern and anti-TG2 IgA subepithelial deposit analysis (CD IF pattern) for diagnosing lymphocytic enteritis due to CD.

METHODS

Two-hundred and five patients (144 females) who underwent duodenal biopsy for clinical suspicion of CD and positive celiac genetics were prospectively included. Fifty had villous atrophy, 70 lymphocytic enteritis, and 85 normal histology. Eight patients with non-celiac atrophy and 15 with lymphocytic enteritis secondary to Helicobacter pylori acted as control group. Duodenal biopsies were obtained to assess both CD IEL flow cytometric (complete or incomplete) and IF patterns.

RESULTS

Sensitivity of IF, and complete and incomplete cytometric patterns for CD diagnosis in patients with positive serology (Marsh 1+3) was 92%, 85 and 97% respectively, but only the complete cytometric pattern had 100% specificity. Twelve seropositive and 8 seronegative Marsh 1 patients had a CD diagnosis at inclusion or after gluten free-diet, respectively. CD cytometric pattern showed a better diagnostic performance than both IF pattern and serology for CD diagnosis in lymphocytic enteritis at baseline (95% vs 60% vs 60%, p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of the IEL flow cytometric pattern is a fast, accurate method for identifying CD in the initial diagnostic biopsy of patients presenting with lymphocytic enteritis, even in seronegative patients, and seems to be better than anti-TG2 intestinal deposits.

Apoptosis resistance of mucosal lymphocytes and IL-10 deficiency in patients with steroid-refractory Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis resistance of T-cells is considered an abnormality of immune pathways in Crohn's disease (CD). It has been previously shown that corticosteroids induce apoptosis of cells involved in inflammation. Thus, our aim was to assess the apoptosis of mononuclear cells and pro/antiinflammatory cytokines in the intestinal mucosa of patients with active CD, related to steroid response, and identify cellular and molecular factors that may predict this response to therapy.

METHODS

Patients with CD (n = 26), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 32), and controls (n = 10) were prospectively studied with mucosal biopsies before and 7-10 days after corticosteroid treatment. Immunophenotype and apoptosis of T and B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages were assessed by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The cytokine expression pattern was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

Apoptosis resistance of T and B lymphocytes was observed only in steroid-refractory and -dependent CD patients as compared to responsive patients (P = 0.032; P = 0.004, respectively), being evident after steroid treatment. Interleukin (IL)-10 was markedly increased at baseline in steroid-responsive patients compared to the nonresponders (P = 0.006; sensitivity: 88.8%; specificity: 66.6% to predict steroid response).

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis resistance of mucosal T and B cells in steroid-refractory and -dependent CD patients appears during the evolution of the acute phase, limiting its clinical application as a predictor marker. In contrast, increased expression of IL-10 at an early stage of active steroid-sensitive CD patients supports its usefulness at predicting a good steroid response. Steroid-dependent and -refractory CD patients share similar molecular and cellular pathophysiological mechanisms.

Mild enteropathy as a cause of iron-deficiency anaemia of previously unknown origin

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We assessed whether mild enteropathy with negative coeliac serology may be gluten-dependent, and a cause of iron-deficiency anaemia. In cases not responding to gluten-free diet, the role of Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated.

METHODS

55 consecutive unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia patients were included. In all of them we performed: HLA-DQ2/DQ8 coeliac genetic study, distal duodenum biopsies, and tests to assess H. pylori infection. A gluten-free diet or H. pylori eradication was used as indicated. Final diagnosis was established based on response to specific therapy after a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

Histological findings were: (1) group A (positive genetics): 21 Marsh I, 2 Marsh IIIA, 12 normal; (2) group B (negative genetics): 16 Marsh I, 4 normal. Final diagnosis of anaemia in patients with enteropathy were: group A, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, 45%; H. pylori infection, 20%; gluten-sensitive enteropathy plus H. pylori, 10%; other, 10%; unknown, 15%; group B, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, 10%; H. pylori infection, 0% (1 non-eradicated case, 10%); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake, 20%; other, 20%; unknown, 40% (p=0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Mild enteropathy is frequent in patients with unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia and negative coeliac serology. Most cases are secondary to either gluten-sensitive enteropathy or H. pylori infection, or both; however, there is also a substantial number of patients without a definitive diagnosis.

The prevalence of coeliac disease is significantly higher in children compared with adults

BACKGROUND

Some limited studies of coeliac disease have shown higher frequency of coeliac disease in infancy and adolescence than in adulthood. This finding has remained unnoticed and not adequately demonstrated.

AIM

To assess whether there are age and gender differences in coeliac disease prevalence.

METHODS

A total of 4230 subjects were included consecutively (1 to ≥80 years old) reproducing the reference population by age and gender. Sample size was calculated assuming a population-based coeliac disease prevalence of 1:250. After an interim analysis, the paediatric sample was expanded (2010 children) due to high prevalence in this group. Anti-transglutaminase and antiendomysial antibodies were determined and duodenal biopsy was performed if positive. Log-linear models were fitted to coeliac disease prevalence by age allowing calculation of percentage change of prevalence. Differences between groups were compared using Chi-squared test.

RESULTS

Twenty-one subjects had coeliac disease (male/female 1:2.5). Coeliac disease prevalence in the total population was 1:204. Coeliac disease prevalence was higher in children (1:71) than in adults (1:357) (P = 0.00005). A significant decrease of prevalence in older generations was observed [change of prevalence by age of -5% (95% CI: -7.58 to -2.42%)]. In the paediatric expanded group (1-14 years), a decrease of coeliac disease prevalence was also observed [prevalence change: -17% (95% CI: -25.02 to -6.10)].

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of coeliac disease in childhood was five times higher than in adults. Whether this difference is due to environmental factors influencing infancy, or latency of coeliac disease in adulthood, remains to be demonstrated in prospective longitudinal studies.

Paucicellular lymphocytic colitis: is it a minor form of lymphocytic colitis? A clinical pathological and immunological study

OBJECTIVES

It has been suggested that paucicellular lymphocytic colitis (PLC) should be considered to be part of the morphological spectrum of microscopic colitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether PLC may be considered to be a true microscopic colitis, and in this case, whether it is a minor form of lymphocytic colitis (LC) or a different entity.

METHODS

All incident cases of PLC, LC, and collagenous colitis (CC) during the period 2004-2006 were included. The incidence rate and the clinical, histopathological, and immunological features of PLC were assessed and compared with those of both LC and CC. Immunoreactivities to CD25, c-Kit, and FOXP3 in lamina propria were assessed.

RESULTS

In all, 19 patients with CC, 19 with LC, and 26 with PLC were identified. CD25+FOXP3+ expression was seen only in classical forms of microscopic colitis: 12 of 19 LC, 14 of 20 CC, and none of 20 PLC cases (P < 0.0001). Diarrhea ceased in 21 of the 26 patients, with a decrease in the daily stool number from 5.08 +/- 0.44 to 1.7 +/- 0.2 (P < 0.005). The five patients with no response to therapy fulfilled the Rome II criteria of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of PLC, identified using objective histological criteria, was higher than those of CC and LC. The lack of expression of CD25+FOXP3+ cells in PLC, in contrast to those seen in both LC and CC, would suggest the existence of different pathophysiological mechanisms and does not support that PLC is a minor form of LC.

Lack of clinical usefulness of Das-1 monoclonal antibody and mucin expression as risk markers of gastric carcinoma in patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia

Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the monoclonal antibody Das-1 as a premalignant marker of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) associated with gastric cancer and its association with mucin expression. We evaluated Das-1 and mucin expression in 4 groups: 1 (n = 50), gastric carcinoma, paired samples of the cancer area and GIM away from the tumor; 2 (n = 25), gastric or duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection with GIM and chronic gastritis; 3 (n = 25),H pylori- autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis with GIM; and 4 (n = 25),H pylori- chronic gastritis without GIM. Das-1 immunostaining was observed in 20 (40%) of 50 cases in cancer areas. The expression of Das-1 in GIM from group 1 cases away from the cancer area was different from that in GIM from nontumor cases (groups 2 and 3): 13 (26%) of 50 vs 2 (8%) and 0 (0%) of 25 (P = .004). There was no association between Das-1 and mucin expression. Das-1 expression was associated with GIM from patients with gastric cancer. However, this relation was weaker than previously reported, precluding clinical usefulness as a premalignant marker of GIM.

Cytomegalovirus infection in ulcerative colitis: a prospective, comparative study on prevalence and diagnostic strategy

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been reported in ulcerative colitis (UC), especially in severe, steroid-refractory disease. However, its role in steroid-refractoriness remains unknown. Our goals were to evaluate the prevalence of CMV disease in UC, the best diagnostic strategy, and the influence of disease activity and/or treatment in its development.

METHODS

Prospective, observational study including 114 subjects with active UC requiring intravenous steroids, steroid-refractory UC, inactive UC on mesalamine, inactive UC on azathioprine, and healthy controls. CMV antibodies, pp65-antigenemia, and rectal biopsies for hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and CMV-pp67 mRNA were performed. These procedures were repeated after medical treatment only in patients with active UC. CMV disease was defined by the presence of inclusion bodies and/or positive immunohistochemistry in colonic biopsies.

RESULTS

CMV disease was found in 6 steroid-refractory, CMV-IgG-positive UC patients but not among controls, inactive UC, or steroid-responding UC patients. In 5 out of the 6 patients, CMV disease was diagnosed after 7-10 days on cyclosporine.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV disease in UC only affects seropositive, steroid-refractory UC patients. Steroid/cyclosporine treatment together with disease activity may predispose to latent colonic CMV reactivation. The impact of antiviral therapy on the clinical outcome of these patients remains to be elucidated.

Diagnostic value of duodenal antitissue transglutaminase antibodies in gluten-sensitive enteropathy

BACKGROUND

In gluten-sensitive enteropathy, antitissue transglutaminase antibodies are synthesized in the duodenum.

AIM

To compare the diagnostic yield of these autoantibodies in cultured duodenal biopsies, duodenal aspirate and serum.

METHODS

Patients (n = 315, 135 female, 180 male; age: 37.3 +/- 1.1 years) referred for duodenal biopsies, were recruited and HLA-DQ2/DQ8 haplotyped. Histological measurements were made from duodenal biopsies and cultured duodenal biopsies were used for antitissue transglutaminase antibodies analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Duodenal aspirate was collected in a subgroup of 81 patients. Patients were classified, according to their histology, response to a gluten-free diet and DQ2/DQ8 status, as definite, likely or nongluten-sensitive enteropathy.

RESULTS

Histology was normal in 59% of patients; 28% had lymphocytic enteritis, 1% had crypt hyperplasia and 13% showed atrophy. In Marsh III patients, there was complete agreement between duodenal and serological antitissue transglutaminase antibodies measurements. Marsh I patients showed a slight antitissue transglutaminase antibodies sensitivity improvement in cultured duodenal biopsy compared to serum in definite (22% vs. 19%) and likely gluten-sensitive enteropathy (20% vs. 14%) patients. Combined serum and cultured duodenal biopsy antitissue transglutaminase antibodies assessment increased serological sensitivity from 19% to 30% in Marsh I patients.

CONCLUSION

Duodenal antitissue transglutaminase antibodies detection improves serological determination sensitivity in Marsh I patients, providing diagnostic value and therapeutic impact.

Spectrum of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in first-degree relatives of patients with coeliac disease: clinical relevance of lymphocytic enteritis

BACKGROUND

Limited data on a short series of patients suggest that lymphocytic enteritis (classically considered as latent coeliac disease) may produce symptoms of malabsorption, although the true prevalence of this situation is unknown. Serological markers of coeliac disease are of little diagnostic value in identifying these patients.

AIMS

To evaluate the usefulness of human leucocyte antigen-DQ2 genotyping followed by duodenal biopsy for the detection of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in first-degree relatives of patients with coeliac disease and to assess the clinical relevance of lymphocytic enteritis diagnosed with this screening strategy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

221 first-degree relatives of 82 DQ2+ patients with coeliac disease were consecutively included. Duodenal biopsy (for histological examination and tissue transglutaminase antibody assay in culture supernatant) was carried out on all DQ2+ relatives. Clinical features, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density were recorded.

RESULTS

130 relatives (58.8%) were DQ2+, showing the following histological stages: 64 (49.2%) Marsh 0; 32 (24.6%) Marsh I; 1 (0.8%) Marsh II; 13 (10.0%) Marsh III; 15.4% refused the biopsy. 49 relatives showed gluten sensitive enteropathy, 46 with histological abnormalities and 3 with Marsh 0 but positive tissue transglutaminase antibody in culture supernatant. Only 17 of 221 relatives had positive serological markers. Differences in the diagnostic yield between the proposed strategy and serology were significant (22.2% v 7.2%, p<0.001). Relatives with Marsh I and Marsh II-III were more often symptomatic (56.3% and 53.8%, respectively) than relatives with normal mucosa (21.1%; p = 0.002). Marsh I relatives had more severe abdominal pain (p = 0.006), severe distension (p = 0.047) and anaemia (p = 0.038) than those with Marsh 0. The prevalence of abnormal bone mineral density was similar in relatives with Marsh I (37%) and Marsh III (44.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The high number of symptomatic patients with lymphocytic enteritis (Marsh I) supports the need for a strategy based on human leucocyte antigen-DQ2 genotyping followed by duodenal biopsy in relatives of patients with coeliac disease and modifies the current concept that villous atrophy is required to prescribe a gluten-free diet.

Cribado de la enfermedad celíaca en grupos de riesgo

Several epidemiological studies show that celiac disease with extraintestinal manifestations is 15 times more frequent than celiac disease with intestinal symptoms. Fifteen years ago the iceberg model was proposed to explain the epidemiology of this disease. On the one hand, there are a quantifiable number of patients who are correctly diagnosed since they have symptoms suggestive of this disease and who form the visible part of the iceberg. However, several studies using screening serology demonstrate that for each patient diagnosed, there is a mean of 5-10 patients without a diagnosis. These patients form the submerged part of the iceberg (monosymptomatic or silent celiac disease). The most widely accepted strategy to investigate the submerged part of the "celiac iceberg" is screening of known risk groups through a systematic search for celiac disease in these groups.

[Presinusoidal portal hypertension due to portal thrombosis in a patient with Alagille's syndrome]

We present the case of a 16-year old woman with Alagille's syndrome, who had upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to rupture of esophageal varices secondary to presinusoidal portal hypertension without liver fibrosis. Portal thrombosis is a manifestation previously unreported in association to this syndrome.

Azathioprine without oral ciclosporin in the long-term maintenance of remission induced by intravenous ciclosporin in severe, steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Intravenous ciclosporin is considered to be the only alternative to avoid surgery in severe, steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. In responders, some authors recommend a switch to oral ciclosporin to act as a 'bridge' until the therapeutic action of azathioprine is achieved for maintenance treatment.

AIM

To report the short- and long-term outcome of intravenous ciclosporin-responsive ulcerative colitis patients treated with oral azathioprine without oral ciclosporin.

METHODS

The records of all patients treated with intravenous ciclosporin for severe, steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis were reviewed. Responders following treatment with azathioprine but without oral ciclosporin as maintenance therapy were included. Patients with colonic cytomegalovirus infection and/or follow-up of less than 1 year were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were included. Steroids were discontinued in 24 (89%). The median follow-up was 36 months. Eighteen (75%) patients presented mild or moderate relapses, which were easily managed with salicylates or steroids. Cumulative probabilities of relapse were 42%, 72% and 77% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Eleven (40.7%) patients underwent elective colectomy. Cumulative probabilities of colectomy were 29%, 35% and 42% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. No opportunistic infections were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral azathioprine seems to be enough to maintain long-term remission induced by intravenous ciclosporin in patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. The 'bridging step' with oral ciclosporin may not be necessary in this subset of patients, although a randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm this hypothesis.