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Biomedical subjects

M De Vos

Publications and source records attributed to M De Vos.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Gut inflammation in the spondyloarthropathies: clinical, radiologic, biologic and genetic features in relation to the type of histology. A prospective study.

Ileocolonoscopy was performed on 354 patients with spondyloarthropathies. Histologically, the population could be divided into 145 patients with normal gut histology, 88 patients with acute inflammatory lesions and 121 patients with chronic inflammatory lesions. A number of clinical, biologic, radiologic and genetic variables were determined before ileocolonoscopy. Chronic gut lesions were associated with a family history of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Crohn's disease, several episodes of diarrhea, an increased stool frequency, elevated inflammatory serum variables, reduced axial mobility, the presence of sacroiliitis, bamboo spine, destructive joint lesions, a diagnosis of AS and HLA-Bw62 positivity. As the frequency of HLA-Bw62 is also increased in proven Crohn's disease, this would suggest that chronic gut lesions are related to this disease. Acute inflammatory lesions were related to a higher fecal carriage of specific bacteria and to the diagnosis of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, especially the enterogenic forms of reactive arthritis. Consequently, these lesions also appear to be related to a bacterially induced gut inflammation. Gut histology was normal in urogenital inflammation and urogenital reactive arthritis, suggesting a different portal of entry for antigens. The 3 histologic pictures of the gut (normal, acute and chronic) inflammation seem to correlate with different clinical, biologic and radiologic manifestations of the disease concept of spondyloarthropathies.

Adolescent↗

Intestinal mucosal permeability in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. I. Role of antiinflammatory drugs.

Using the 51Cr-EDTA resorption test, gut permeability was measured in 129 patients with inflammatory joint diseases and in 97 control patients (42 patients with no inflammatory rheumatic disorders taking antiinflammatory medication and 55 healthy controls). Thirty-two patients (30 arthritis and 2 control patients) taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) as well as corticosteroids were excluded from statistical analysis. The intake of NSAID significantly increased gut permeability in controls but not in the arthritis groups. The same applied to corticosteroid intake. This could be due to the restricted number of arthritis patients who had never taken antiinflammatory drugs or to a disease related increased permeability. There was no statistically significant difference in altered gut permeability between patients taking NSAID and patients taking corticosteroids. Our findings suggest that drug induced alteration of gut permeability may not only be accounted for by an inhibition of mucosal cyclooxygenase activity, but that other enzymatic pathways in the arachidonic cascade might be implicated.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Intestinal mucosal permeability in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. II. Role of disease.

Gut permeability as measured by the 51Cr-EDTA resorption test was determined in 56 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 73 patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpA), 18 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 97 controls (42 patients with no inflammatory rheumatic diseases and 55 healthy controls). Gut permeability was found to be increased in the 3 patient groups, partially due to the intake of antiinflammatory drugs. When only patients not taking these drugs were considered, an increased gut permeability was found in patients with SpA and IBD. In patients with RA gut permeability could not be evaluated as they were all taking antiinflammatory medication. Ileocolonoscopy with biopsies of the gut was performed in 62 of the 73 patients with SpA and disclosed subclinical gut inflammation in 21. No difference in gut permeability was found between patients with or without gut inflammation. However, when the type of gut inflammation was considered, a significant increase of gut permeability was found in patients with chronic gut inflammation compared with patients presenting acute lesions. Our findings again suggest that the chronic gut inflammation seen in SpA is fundamentally different from acute gut inflammation and possibly related to the gut inflammation of IBD.

Adult↗

Major histocompatibility complex class II antigen (HLA-DR) expression by ileal epithelial cells in patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy.

Major histocompatibility complex molecules act as non-specific receptors for antigenic proteins and present them to T-cells. Presented antigen together with class II molecules activates antigen specific T-helper cells and may trigger a cellular immune response. The expression of HLA-DR antigens by epithelial cells was examined with an indirect peroxidase technique in ileal biopsies from 38 patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy and features of acute or chronic gut inflammation on biopsy, 14 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, 10 rheumatic and 10 non-rheumatic controls. In acute ileitis, there was more HLA-DR expression in villous and crypt epithelial cells than in non-inflamed controls (p less than 0.01). In chronic inflammation and in chronic inflammatory bowel disease, class II antigens were more expressed in villus (p less than 0.02) and crypt epithelium (p less than 0.01). Strong HLA-DR expression in crypt epithelial cells was connected with active inflammation (p less than 0.02). These findings suggest binding of unknown enterobacterial or nutritional luminal antigens to HLA-DR antigens normally present in enterocytes. The enterocytes act as antigen presenting cells causing a local increase of targets for activated T-cells and trigger the gut inflammation responsible for the clinical symptoms of the seronegative spondylarthropathy.

Adolescent↗

HLA-B27 positive idiopathic acute anterior uveitis: a unique manifestation of subclinical gut inflammation.

Ileocolonoscopy was performed on 2 HLA-B27 positive patients with idiopathic acute anterior uveitis neither of whom had articular or intestinal complaints. Microscopic examination of the biopsy specimens revealed the presence of chronic inflammatory lesions in the ileum. Since these lesions have also been described in other forms of spondyloarthropathy, we postulate the presence of gut inflammation was related to the uveitis.

Acute Disease↗

Ileocolonoscopy in seronegative spondylarthropathy.

A prospective endoscopic and histologic study of terminal ileum and colorectum in 211 patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy revealed macroscopic inflammatory lesions varying from erythema to superficial erosions in 30% of the patients and microscopic inflammation in 61%. Two types of inflammation were observed: an acute inflammation resembling an infectious enterocolitis and a chronic inflammation. In idiopathic reactive arthritis both types of inflammation were equally present, whereas chronic inflammation predominated in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. In 32% of patients with chronic inflammation, the lesions particularly resembled early Crohn's disease. Repeat ileocolonscopy on 19 patients demonstrated a parallel evolution of joint symptoms and histologic lesions. All patients with acute inflammation went into clinical and histologic remission, whereas lesions persisted in patients with Crohn-like inflammation. In patients with chronic inflammation, remission and persistence were observed equally. This study identified a group of patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy which, even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, showed evidence of gut inflammation, probably inducing an increased gut permeability with transgression of the oral tolerance and absorption of provocative antigens into the circulation. It is also possible that both diseases reflect a common underlying process.

Arthritis↗

Crohn's disease with adenocarcinoma and dysplasia. Macroscopical, histological, and immunohistochemical aspects of two cases.

We present two cases of small-bowel adenocarcinoma and dysplasia in patients with longstanding Crohn's disease. In one case, the dysplasia and cancer were exclusively located in the terminal ileum, whereas in the other case, several cancers were found from the ileum toward the transverse colon. In both cases, we found a clinically unsuspected Dukes C1 mucinous adenocarcinoma together with large foci of polypoid villous dysplasia or with multifocal high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) revealed a different staining pattern in various diseased areas. The intensity of CEA staining paralleled the histologic degrees of dysplasia and neoplasia. Cytokeratin expression was disturbed in inflamed mucosa, and it was more pronounced in high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma. We conclude that the presence of dysplasia in an intestinal biopsy of a patient with Crohn's disease should arouse the pathologist's suspicion of carcinoma and force him or her to take multiple sections from strictures and polypoid lesions, especially since the clinical symptoms of a carcinoma may be obscured by the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Immunohistochemical staining with CEA and cytokeratin are useful in the objectivation of dysplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Fungal colonization of the esophagus.

A prospective study was conducted in 224 patients to determine the clinical significance of esophageal colonization with yeasts under different conditions. In accordance with the results of direct smear microscopic examination and culture of esophageal brushings, patients were divided into three groups: positive, negative, and the patients, in whom saprophytic forms were detected. A higher prevalence of positive findings was noted in patients with predisposing factors for yeast invasion than in patients free of underlying disease. Eleven percent of patients with an endoscopically normal appearing esophagus were positive. We have the impression that this situation may represent a preclinical condition of fungal esophagitis. Patients treated with H2-blocking agents showed a significantly higher incidence of positive findings, than did those without such treatment. Whether patients suffering from a refluxesophagitis resistant to long-term treatment with H2 blockers, but with a significant colonization by yeasts, could benefit by an additional treatment with antimycotics remains a controversial issue and should be studied in a controlled way.

Adult↗

Unusual migration of a straight Amsterdam-type endoprosthesis for bile duct stones.

We describe an 84-yr-old woman in whom a straight Amsterdam-type biliary endoprosthesis was inserted because of endoscopically unremovable large common duct stones. After 18 months, the prosthesis migrated through the duodenum and the intrapancreatic portion of the bile duct, with its distal tip close to the vena cava and the aorta. In view of this high-risk complication, the authors avoid placing straight biliary endoprotheses for common bile duct stones in patients who might be lost to follow-up.

Aged↗

Congenital hepatic fibrosis.

We report the clinical features of 7 men (mean age 22 years, range 7-53 years) with congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF). Five patients presented with variceal bleeding and/or hepatosplenomegaly due to portal hypertension. Cholangitis was the presenting symptom in the other 2 cases. Diagnosis was established by histological examination of a surgical wedge biopsy (4 patients) or needle biopsy (3 patients). A portal-systemic shunting was performed in 6 patients, three times prophylactically. None of the 5 survivors developed chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Recurrent bouts of cholangitis with septicemia and hepatic abscesses were a major complication in 5 patients with a fatal outcome in 2 cases. Six patients had associated small and large cysts in the cortex of both kidneys, compatible with adult-type polycystic disease. One patient developed terminal renal insufficiency. In 3 patients kidney function remained normal at a mean follow-up time of 7.5 years (range 1-18 years). In 2 families (4 cases) an autosomal dominant inheritance of renal disease was suggested. This study demonstrates that CHF is a rare cause of portal hypertension in late childhood and in adults. Cholangitis is a severe and frequently fatal complication. Association with a variety of congenital renal abnormalities is very frequent. However, the association with adult-type polycystic disease as reported in 4 cases is very rare.

Adolescent↗

Endoscopic sclerotherapy: the value of balloon tamponade and the importance of disinfection.

Endoscopic sclerotherapy in active variceal bleeding stopped bleeding in 48 out of 67 patients (72%). Survival of the acute bleeding episode was related to liver function: 6% mortality in Child A patients vs. 48% mortality in Child C. Comparing two treatment modalities: 24 h Linton balloon tamponade followed by sclerotherapy vs. sclerotherapy alone, our results in comparable groups slightly, although not significantly, favor tamponade-sclerotherapy treatment: 75% survival vs. 71%. As this treatment modality is more convenient and helps to avoid dangerous aspiration pneumonia, we advocate balloon tamponade prior to sclerotherapy in acute variceal bleeding. In maintenance treatment 65 patients were treated until eradication of varices. The rebleeding risk was 0.034% per patient per month, with 64% of the rebleeding within the 2 first months before complete eradication of the varices. The long-term survival depends largely on liver function: one year survival of 88% in Child A vs. 30% in Child C. Using Aethoxysklerol 1% in intravariceal injection, no stricture occurred. Using a sterile injection needle and a glutaraldehyde-disinfected endoscope, no infectious complications directly related to the procedure occurred, and all hemocultures remained negative.

Adolescent↗

Immunoglobulin containing cells in terminal ileum and colorectum of patients with arthritis related gut inflammation.

In 40 distal ileal and 40 colonic biopsies of arthritic patients mostly without gastrointestinal symptoms, but with histological evidence of acute or chronic inflammation of the gut, the number of immunoglobulin (Ig) containing plasma cells was studied morphometrically using a peroxidase antiperoxidase technique. Compared with controls, the ileal mucosal biopsies showed an increase of IgA and IgG in acute ileitis. In chronic ileitis there was an increase of IgA, IgG, and IgM similar to Crohn's disease. In colonic biopsies there was a significant increase of all immunoglobulin classes in acute inflammation. In chronic inflamed mucosa there was also an increase of all three Ig classes. The Ig distribution, however, was significantly different in acute and chronic colitis. These findings give immunohistochemical evidence of the existence of two different types of inflammation related to reactive arthritis or the peripheral joint involvement of ankylosing spondylitis. The Ig pattern in acute colitis is similar to that found in infectious colitis, suggesting an enterobacterial origin of the arthritis in this group of patients although bacteriological and serological investigations were negative. In the chronic type of arthritis related ileocolitis, the pattern of Ig containing cells is similar to that found in Crohn's disease but different from infectious and ulcerative colitis, which makes the hypothesis that a great number of these arthritis patients suffer from asymptomatic or subclinical Crohn's disease acceptable.

Adolescent↗

Histopathology of intestinal inflammation related to reactive arthritis.

This study has identified a group of patients with inflammatory chronic, or relapsing acute arthritis who even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms have histological evidence of ileocolitis. At colonoscopy simultaneous biopsies of the terminal ileum and colon were taken from 108 patients with reactive arthritis (n = 55) or ankylosing spondylitis (n = 53), 47 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 19 control patients suffering from colonic polyps, adenocarcinoma, or chronic constipation. All control patients and all but one patient with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lumbar back ache, and psoriatic arthritis did not have histological evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In contrast, in 30 of 35 (56.6%) patients with ankylosing spondylitis, and in 37 of 55 (67%) patients with reactive arthritis, regardless of HLA B27 phenotype, there was histological evidence of inflammatory bowel disease with features either of acute enterocolitis, or early Crohn's disease. Only 18 of 67 (27%) of the patients with histological gut inflammation, however, had intestinal symptoms.

Adolescent↗