Small intestinal function and structure in patients with chronic renal failure

We studied 24 patients with end-stage chronic renal failure not treated with hemodialysis (CRF1) and 16 patients on regular hemodialysis (CRF2), to investigate the digestive, absorptive and morphological aspects of the small intestinal mucosa. Serum d-xylose test and biochemical parameters of absorption (serum calcium and proteins) were determined. Jejunal mucosal biopsies were obtained and tissue homogenates assayed for disaccharidases (sucrase, maltase and lactase) and dipeptidases (glycyl-glycinase, leucyl-glycinase and leucyl-aminopeptidase). Histological changes were classified according to the severity of abnormality and compared with biopsies obtained from control subjects. Serum d-xylose test, calcium and proteins were normal in patients with CRF. Maltase specific activity was higher in CRF1 than in controls (p less than 0.05). Lactase and leucyl-aminopeptidase showed a tendency to decrease in CRF, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Sucrase, glycyl-glycinase and leucyl-glycinase specific activity in CRF was similar to the control group. Histological changes of the small intestinal mucosa of mild to moderate degree were noted in 68% of patients with CRF vs 36% in control subjects (p less than 0.01). No significant difference was noted in the incidence of absorptive, enzymatic (with the exception of maltase) and histological changes between the two groups of patients with CRF. These changes are not influenced by hemodialysis, a long-term treatment averaging 6 months, they appear to represent primary manifestations of CRF and may be related to the nutritional status of patients with CRF.

Disseminated strongyloidiasis with uncommon manifestations in Greece

Strongyloidiasis is a human intestinal parasitosis caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. In most cases the infection is subclinical, but rarely, disseminated strongyloidiasis may occur in debilitated or immunocompromised patients, and in those who receive immunosuppressive agents. In this report, we describe an unusual case of severe disseminated strongyloidiasis, with intestinal, pulmonary and neurological manifestations, in a previously healthy male. The onset of the disease was acute with headache and neck stiffness, due to subarachnoid-ventricular haemorrhage. During a protracted clinical course the patient developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, recurrent paralytic ileus, pneumonitis and respiratory distress, malabsorption and weight loss, diagnosis was delayed due to the complicated course and rarity of the disease. The diagnosis finally established during evaluation for malabsorption by demonstrating larvae of S. stercoralis in the jejunal mucosal biopsy and faeces. Response to mebendazole treatment was prompt with complete recovery and resolution of all systemic manifestations. Early diagnosis and treatment of strongyloidiasis in the intestinal phase is critical in the prevention of dissemination, which may prove lethal due to life-threatening complications.

Prophylactic treatment with cimetidine after renal transplantation

17 consecutive patients who underwent renal transplantation during the period 1979-1981 and were at risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage were treated prophylactically with the histamine H2-blocker cimetidine without antacids. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, the number of rejection episodes and graft survival were compared with 17 patients, who had received renal transplant during the period 1976-1978 and had not received cimetidine. The incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage was not reduced in the cimetidine-treated patients. In addition, cimetidine treatment neither increased the total number of rejection episodes nor changed the long-term graft survival. The results of this study indicate that cimetidine does not appear to be superior to antacids in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in renal transplant recipients.