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C Folwaczny

Publications and source records attributed to C Folwaczny.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Alpha1-antitrypsin alleles and phenotypes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest an imbalance of protease activation and inhibition in inflammatory bowel disease. Alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT), one protease inhibitor of paramount importance, exists in numerous subtypes, some of them representing deficient phenotypes. The present study evaluated the prevalence of AAT-alleles and phenotypes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: The study population comprised 74 patients with Crohn's disease and 61 patients with ulcerative colitis. Isoelectric focusing was used for AAT subtyping. The prevalence of AAT alleles and phenotypes was compared with the frequency in 752 healthy unrelated controls. RESULTS: The rare phenotype M2F was detected in one patient with ulcerative colitis. No further significant differences in the distribution of AAT alleles or phenotypes between patients with inflammatory bowel disease and the healthy controls were observed. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of deficient AAT subtypes does not point towards a contribution of AAT deficiency in the pathophysiology of IBD.

Adolescent↗

Antineutrophil and pancreatic autoantibodies in first-degree relatives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies (P-ANCA) are found in ulcerative colitis, and autoantibodies against exocrine pancreas (PAB) in Crohn's disease. Their potential role as genetic or pathophysiologic factors is unclear. METHODS: In 61 patients with ulcerative colitis, 76 patients with Crohn's disease, 101 first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis, 105 first-degree relatives of Crohn's disease patients, and 56 healthy unrelated controls autoantibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Forty-six per cent of patients with ulcerative colitis (28 of 61) and 38% of patients with Crohn's disease (29 of 76) were P-ANCA- and PAB-positive, respectively. In relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis P-ANCA were found in 3% (3 of 101), and in relatives of Crohn's disease patients PAB were detected in 4% (4 of 105), which is not significantly different from the occurrence in the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of P-ANCA and PAB does not suggest a role as genetic markers for inflammatory bowel disease.

Adolescent↗

p-ANCA target antigens in ulcerative colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Data about the nature and pathophysiological relevance of the target antigens reacting with perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmatic autoantibodies (p-ANCA) in ulcerative colitis are inconsistent and partly conflicting. In the majority of the previous studies only one singular potential target antigen was investigated. The present study aimed on the simultaneous assessment of five different p-ANCA subtypes in patients with ulcerative colitis and attempted to detect reactivity against one of the previously described antigens and to correlate specificity for different target antigens with clinical features of the disease. METHODS: Sera from 61 patients with ulcerative colitis and from 56 healthy controls were tested using indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for elastase, lactoferrin, cathepsin G, myeloperoxidase and bactericidal permeability increasing protein (BPI). p-ANCA subtypes were correlated with clinical features of ulcerative colitis like disease extent or presence of extraintestinal manifestations. Moreover, a possible correlation to current immunosuppressive therapy was evaluated. RESULTS: In 46% (28/61) of patients with ulcerative colitis and in 4% (2/56) of the controls p-ANCA were detected. p-ANCA subtypes were distributed as follows: 26% (16/61) anti-BPI. 16% (10/61) anticathepsin G, 15% (9/61) antielastase, 7% (4/61) antilactoferrin, 5% (3/61) antimyeloperoxidase. Presence of anticathepsin G antibodies was negatively correlated with immunosuppressive therapy. No further correlations between p-ANCA subtypes and clinical characteristics were observed. DISCUSSION: p-ANCA subtypes in inflammatory bowel disease react with a variety of different target antigens and are not correlated with clinical features of the disease.

Adult↗

[Recurrent abdominal colic, myalgia and mononeuritis multiplex].

The case of a 30-year-old male, who presented with a three months history of fever, night sweats, weight loss and myalgia is reported. Subsequently abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and mononeuropathy multiplex developed. An abdominal and renal angiogram showed changes of vascular structures diagnostic for polyarteritis nodosa. An immunosuppressive treatment (Prednisolon 100 mg/day and Cyclophosphamid 200 mg/day) was started. However, diffuse peritonitis as the aftermath of bowel infarction, which comprised the total length of the jejunum and the proximal parts of the ileum, developed at the third week of this treatment. Despite immediate surgical resection of the ischemic bowel septic complications occurred and the patient died.

Adult↗

[Megaloblastic anemia due to inadequate nutrition].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: Over a period of about 6 weeks a 49-year-old woman developed increasing exercise-dependent dyspnoea. Her general practitioner had diagnosed marked megaloblastic anaemia and she was hospitalised for its further elucidation. She reported to have eaten or drunk nothing but sweets, potato chips, salty pretzels, lemonade, coffee and tea over the last 2 years. Alcohol intake had been reliably denied by her and outsiders. On admission she weighed 106 kg, her height was 167 cm, and she looked anaemic, had dyspnoea and a sinus tachycardia. There was no evidence of external or internal bleeding and the physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory tests showed a haemoglobin concentration of 4.7 g/dl, as well as marked folic and vitamin B12 deficiency. The food items taken by her contain practically no cobalamine and no folic acid. Gastroscopy revealed grade 1 reflux oesophagitis. Malabsorption being excluded (normal Schilling test, no demonstrable autoantibodies against parietal cells, no evidence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), the lack of both vitamins and the megaloblastic anaemia caused by it could be explained only by a deficient food intake over several years. TREATMENT AND COURSE: After administration of cobalamine (1 mg intramuscularly twice weekly for 6 weeks, then 300 micrograms daily by mouth for 4 weeks) and folic acid (5 mg twice daily for 10 weeks), as well as a well-balanced diet as prescribed by a dietician, reticulocyte and erythrocyte concentrations had quickly risen to normal at a follow-up examination 2 months later. CONCLUSION: The case of an anaemia entirely caused by a deficient diet dearly illustrates the need of a well-balanced food intake even in adults.

Anemia, Megaloblastic↗

Goblet cell autoantibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis show a familial aggregation. In both diseases, anti-goblet cell autoantibodies (GABs) have been described. The aim of this study was to define the role of GABs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: The study population comprised 61 patients with ulcerative colitis, 76 patients with Crohn's disease, 101 first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis, and 105 first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. Thirty-five patients with infectious enterocolitis and 56 healthy unrelated subjects served as controls. Autoantibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of patients with ulcerative colitis (24 of 61) and 30% of patients with Crohn's disease (23 of 76) were positive for GABs. GABs were detected in 21% (21 of 101) of first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis and in 19% (20 of 105) of first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. In patients with infectious enterocolitis and in healthy controls, GABs were seen in 3% (1 of 35) and 2% (1 of 56), respectively. The differences between control groups and both groups of patients or their first-degree relatives were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence in first-degree relatives suggests that GABs may represent a marker characterizing susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease.

Adult↗

Zinc and diarrhea in infants.

Due to dietary modifications including the intake of cereals, vegetables and the frequent use of soy milk instead of breast milk, children in developing countries with diarrhea frequently suffer from zinc deficiency. Furthermore, diarrhea leads to excess zinc losses. Beside low energy intake zinc deficiency contributes to continued diarrhea, which in turn accounts for half of the deaths from diarrhea in children. Zinc supplementation leads to accelerated regeneration of the mucosa, increased levels of brush-border enzymes, enhanced cellular immunity and higher levels of secretory antibodies. In addition, in stunted children zinc supplementation results in enhanced catch-up growth via higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-I. Growth retardation is closely related to the risk of diarrheal diseases in children. These pathophysiological conclusions are supported by several controlled clinical traits which have provided evidence that zinc supplementation results in significant reduction in the risk of continued diarrhea. However, it remains to be clarified whether these benefits are attributable to pharmacological effects or if they can be related to the correction of an underlying deficiency state.

Adolescent↗

Antinuclear autoantibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. High prevalence in first-degree relatives.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis show a familial aggregation. The role of antinuclear autoantibodies, which occur in both diseases, remains to be defined. In 76 patients with Crohn's disease, 61 patients with ulcerative colitis, 105 first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease, 101 first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis, and 40 healthy unrelated controls antinuclear autoantibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Existence of autoantibodies was correlated with clinical features. Eighteen percent of patients with Crohn's disease (14/76), 43% of patients with ulcerative colitis (26/61), 13% of relatives of patients with Crohn's disease (14/105), 24% of relatives of ulcerative colitis patients (24/101), and 2% of the healthy controls (1/40) were positive for antinuclear autoantibodies. The difference between controls and patients and the first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis, respectively, was statistically significant (P < or = 0.0144). In ulcerative colitis, the existence of antinuclear autoantibodies was negatively correlated with immunosuppressive therapy or extraintestinal manifestations (P = 0.0004 and 0.0273, respectively). Antinuclear autoantibodies may represent a factor disposing to the development of ulcerative colitis.

Adolescent↗

Influence of prophylactic local administration of epinephrine on bleeding complications after polypectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Data concerning the potential benefit of local application of vasoconstricting substances prior to snare excision of colonic polyps are scarce. The influence of prophylactic submucosal injection of epinephrine in the prevention of hemorrhage after polypectomy was therefore evaluated in larger polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients, in whom 77 polyps more than 15 mm in diameter had been excised during a 30-month period, were included in this retrospective analysis. Twenty-eight polyps were excised with prophylactic injection of epinephrine into the polyp base, and 49 polyps were excised without the injection. All data were retrieved by reviewing the medical records. RESULTS: No bleeding occurred in the epinephrine group (28 polyps). In contrast, nine of the 49 polypectomies that were carried out without prior administration of epinephrine were associated with a bleeding episode (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Local injection therapy appears to reduce the risk of bleeding after the excision of larger polyps. Controlled trials are warranted in order to provide conclusive evidence concerning the prophylactic effect of epinephrine on hemorrhage after polypectomy.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

Lack of association between an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the association of a polymorphism in the gene coding for the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist with ulcerative colitis has been reported. This was interpreted as a possible genetic predisposition for severity of the inflammatory response. AIMS: To examine this polymorphism in a southern German population. SUBJECTS: The study included 234 healthy controls, 57 patients with ulcerative colitis, including 31 patients with pancolitis, 44 first degree healthy relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis, and 65 patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: Genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction amplification of the intron 2 fragment harbouring a variable number of tandem repeat nucleotide sequences. Amplification products were separated on a 2% agarose gel. RESULTS: The allele frequency for allele 2 was 27% in healthy controls, 28% in Crohn's disease, and 21% in patients with ulcerative colitis. The same allele frequency (21%) was found in a subgroup of patients with ulcerative colitis affecting the whole colon. Thus for allele 2 as well as for all other alleles, genotypes, or carriage rates no significant differences were found compared with controls. All allele frequencies in the control population were similar to those in earlier studies. CONCLUSIONS: No association of a polymorphism in the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene with ulcerative colitis could be identified in this southern German population. The findings of an earlier study reporting an increased frequency of allele 2, particularly in patients with pancolitis, could not be confirmed.

Adult↗

[Effects of various prokinetic drugs on gastrointestinal transit times in patients with progressive systemic scleroderma].

The intestine is involved in about half of the cases with progressive-systemic sclerosis. Intestinal transit disturbances which are caused by neuropathy of the enteric nerve system occur frequently. However, upto-date only few studies which determined the effect of prokinetic drugs exist. Patients with intestinal involvement caused by progressive-systemic sclerosis were treated with the prokinetic drugs cisapride (20 mg, TID; n = 9), erythromycin (250 mg, TID; n = 7) and octreotide (50 micrograms s. c., at night time; n = 5) over a period of four weeks. At study entry and after each treatment period the transit times through the stomach, small and large intestine were evaluated by use of the metal-detector test. Gastric emptying was only accelerated by erythromycin (42 +/- 3 min vs. 54 +/- 6 min; p = 0.0422), whereas treatment with cisapride and octreotide did not result in significant changes (48 +/- 4 min; p = 0.3743 and 44 +/- 4 min; p = 0.1975; resp.). Small intestinal transit times were not altered significantly by cisapride (108 +/- 15 min vs. 108 +/- 9 min; p = 0.2733), crythromycin (92 +/- 8 min; p = 0.0707) or octreotide (106 +/- 12 min; p = 0.8927). Furthermore colonic transit was not fastened by none of the prokinetic agents (study entry: 68 +/- 12 h; cisapride: 88 +/- 12 h; p = 0.0569; erythromycin 77 +/- 14 h; p = 0.7349; octreotide 107 +/- 14 h; p = 0.8927). Four patients were withdrawn from the study because of diarrhea. Prokinetic drugs do not seem to have a major impact on intestinal transit times in patients with progressive-systemic sclerosis. The use of these drugs is limited because of frequent side effects.

Aged↗