Berkeley N. Limketkai

Relationship of Liver Disease Stage and Antiviral Therapy With Liver-Related Events and Death in Adults Coinfected With HIV/HCV

CONTEXT Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accelerates hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression; however, the effect of liver disease stage and antiviral therapy on the risk of clinical outcomes is incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of end-stage liver disease (ESLD), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or death according to baseline hepatic fibrosis and antiviral treatment for HIV/HCV coinfected individuals. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohort of 638 coinfected adults (80% black, 66% men) receiving care at the Johns Hopkins HIV clinic and receiving a liver biopsy and who were prospectively monitored for clinical events between July 1993 and August 2011 (median follow-up, 5.82 years; interquartile range, 3.42-8.85 years). Histological specimens were scored for hepatic fibrosis stage according to the METAVIR scoring system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incidence of composite outcome of ESLD, HCC, or death. RESULTS Patients experienced a graded increased risk in incidence of clinical outcomes based on baseline hepatic fibrosis stage (classification range, F0-F4): F0, 23.63 (95% CI, 16.80-33.24); F1, 36.33 (95% CI, 28.03-47.10); F2, 53.40 (95% CI, 33.65-84.76); F3, 56.14 (95% CI, 31.09-101.38); and F4, 79.43 (95% CI, 55.86-112.95) per 1000 person-years (P < .001). In multivariable negative binomial regression, fibrosis stages F2 through F4 and antiretroviral therapy were independently associated with composite ESLD, HCC, or all-cause mortality after adjustment for demographic characteristics, injection drug use, and CD4 cell count. Compared with F0, the incidence rate ratio (RR) for F2 was 2.31 (95% CI, 1.23-4.34; P = .009); F3, 3.18 (95% CI, 1.47-6.88; P = .003); and F4, 3.57 (95% CI, 2.06-6.19; P < .001). Human immunodeficiency virus treatment was associated with fewer clinical events (incidence RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.19-0.38; P < .001). For the 226 patients who underwent HCV treatment, the incidence of clinical events did not significantly differ between treatment nonresponders and untreated patients (incidence RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.86-1.86; P = .23). In contrast, no events were observed in the 51 patients with sustained virologic response (n = 36) and relapse (n = 15), including 19 with significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, hepatic fibrosis stage was independently associated with a composite outcome of ESLD, HCC, or death.

Sevelamer crystals in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT): A new entity associated with mucosal injury

We report the first description of sevelamer crystals (Renagel and Renvela, Genzyme; phosphate-lowering agents) in the gastrointestinal tract. We prospectively collected cases with novel, histologically identical crystals from 4 major academic centers over a 1-year period and studied pertinent clinicopathologic features. Sevelamer usage in the setting of chronic kidney disease was demonstrated in all cases (n=15 total cases, 7 patients). Sites of involvement included the esophagus (n=2), small bowel (n=2), and colon (n=11). The background mucosa was normal in only 1 case. Notable mucosal abnormality included chronic mucosal damage (n=5), acute inflammation (n=4), inflammatory polyp (n=2), extensive ulceration (n=2), ischemia (n=1), and necrosis (n=1). In general, sevelamer crystals displayed broad, curved, and irregularly spaced “fish scales” with a variably eosinophilic to rusty brown color on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and violet color on periodic acid-Schiff-alcian special staining with diastase (PAS/D). To validate these findings, sevelamer tablets (Renvela) were crushed and submitted for histologic processing; the findings were identical to those in the patient specimens. The possibility of Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) and cholestyramine had been raised in error. However, Kayexalate has narrow, rectangular “fish scales” and is violet on H&E and magenta on PAS/D; cholestyramine lacks internal “fish scales,” is bright orange on H&E, variably gray or hot pink on PAS/D, and is unassociated with mucosal injury. Further study is required to determine whether sevelamer plays a causal role in these injuries; however, its crystal is an important mimic of both Kayexalate and choleystyramine. As the history of sevelamer administration was not documented in any pathology requisition, awareness of sevelamer’s characteristic morphology is crucial to avoid the diagnostic pitfalls of its mimics.

Syphilitic and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) proctocolitis: clues to a frequently missed diagnosis.

A rising incidence of syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) underscores the importance of recognizing these sexually transmitted infections (STI) in routine anocolonic biopsies. To increase awareness of their morphologic manifestations, we undertook a clinicopathologic study of our experience: syphilis (7 patients, 7 specimens), LGV (2 patients, 4 specimens), and syphilis/LGV (1 patient, 3 specimens). The diagnoses of all study specimens were confirmed with pertinent clinical studies. All study patients were human immunodeficiency virus positive, and all 9 with available history were men who have sex with men. The majority presented with bleeding (9), pain (6), and tenesmus (4). Ulcerations were the most common endoscopic abnormality (7), whereas mass lesions were confined to the syphilis group (4). None of the initial impressions included LGV, and syphilis was prospectively suggested only by pathologists (6 of 8) without the knowledge of clinical information and on the basis of morphology. Alternative impressions included condyloma acuminatum (3), inflammatory bowel disease (3), and malignancy (2), among others. All study specimens shared the following histologic core features: an intense lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with prominent plasma cells and lymphoid aggregates, only mild to moderate acute inflammation, minimal basal plasmacytosis and crypt distortion, and only rare granulomas and Paneth cell metaplasia. The spirochetes were focally demonstrated on a Treponema pallidum immunohistochemical stain (1) but not on silver stains (3). All patients with available follow-up data showed resolution of symptoms and imaging abnormalities after STI therapy (6). In summary, we report a unique pattern of STI proctocolitis consistently identified in patients with serologically confirmed syphilis and/or LGV infection; pertinent STI therapy leads to resolution of clinical abnormalities. This histologic pattern is important to recognize for timely treatment, for prevention of onward STI transmission, and to avoid the diagnostic pitfalls of inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy.

Lower regional and temporal ultraviolet exposure is associated with increased rates and severity of inflammatory bowel disease hospitalisation.

In the northern hemisphere, the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has a north–south gradient, suggesting a link between ultraviolet (UV) exposure or vitamin D status and the pathogenesis of IBD.

Diagnostic pitfalls of differentiating desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) from Wilms tumor (WT): overlapping morphologic and immunohistochemical features.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) and blastemal-predominant Wilms tumor (WT) share overlapping histologic features, yet accurate distinction is critical because of differing prognosis and treatment. We encountered a neck mass in a young adult with a concomitant abdominal mass. The neck mass was initially concerning for DSRCT on the basis of the poorly differentiated morphology, desmoplastic stroma, and immunoreactivity for desmin and cytokeratin. However, focal triphasic elements and glomeruloid bodies were identified on deeper sections, WT1 immunoreactivity was seen with antibodies to both the amino-terminus and carboxy-terminus, and EWSR1-WT1 rearrangement studies were negative, supporting the ultimate diagnosis of WT. On the basis of the overlapping histologic features of DSRCT and blastemal-predominant WT, we undertook a comparison study of desmin and cytokeratin reactivity patterns. We found that, whereas desmin reactivity was more frequent in DSRCT (11 of 12) than in WT blastema (11 of 22, P=0.024), dot-like perinuclear reactivity was seen with equal frequency in desmin-reactive DSRCT (10 of 11) and WT blastema (10 of 11), illustrating an important diagnostic pitfall. Moreover, we demonstrate coexpression of desmin and cytokeratin in both DSRCT (9 of 12) and WT blastema (11 of 22). Importantly, although dot-like desmin reactivity and coexpression of desmin and cytokeratin are historically associated with DSRCT, we demonstrate that these features can be seen in either DSRCT or blastemal-predominant WT. In these challenging cases, detection of an EWSR1-WT1 rearrangement and selective WT1 carboxy-terminus immunoreactivity (characteristic of DSRCT) or dual immunoreactivity for the WT1 amino-terminus and carboxy-terminus (characteristic of WT) remain the most discriminating diagnostic tools.

Short Bowel Syndrome and Intestinal Failure in Crohn's Disease.

Abstract:Crohns disease is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the availability of powerful immunosuppressants, many patients with Crohns disease still require one or more intestinal resections throughout the course of their disease. Multiple resections and a progressive reduction in bowel length can lead to the development of short bowel syndrome, a form of intestinal failure that compromises fluid, electrolyte, and nutrient absorption. The pathophysiology of short bowel syndrome involves a reduction in intestinal surface area, alteration in the enteric hormonal feedback, dysmotility, and related comorbidities. Most patients will initially require parenteral nutrition as a primary or supplemental source of nutrition, although several patients may eventually wean off nutrition support depending on the residual gut anatomy and adherence to medical and nutritional interventions. Available surgical treatments focus on reducing motility, lengthening the native small bowel, or small bowel transplantation. Care of these complex patients with short bowel syndrome requires a multidisciplinary approach of physicians, dietitians, and nurses to provide optimal intestinal rehabilitation, nutritional support, and improvement in quality of life.

Message in a bottle: decoding medication injury patterns in the gastrointestinal tract

Medication injury in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a rapidly evolving topic. Increasing endoscopy together with an ageing population, polypharmacy, and a burgeoning drug industry offer heightened opportunities to observe the unintended side effects of therapeutic ingestants. In this review, we emphasise the most commonly encountered medication injuries involving the GIT, as well as emerging agents and mimics. While topics are organised by organ system, the reader should keep in mind that injury patterns are generally not site-specific. As such, awareness of these major morphologic patterns can be translated to multiple tissue sites to more broadly facilitate the diagnostic process.

Cost-effectiveness of adalimumab, infliximab or vedolizumab as first-line biological therapy in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis

Background There are no head-to-head randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness of biologics in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab, infliximab and vedolizumab as first-line agents to induce clinical remission and mucosal healing (MH) in UC. Methods We constructed a decision tree based on a payers perspective in the USA to estimate the first year costs of adalimumab, infliximab or vedolizumab to achieve clinical remission and MH in patients with moderate-to-severe UC. Transition probabilities were derived from ACT, ULTRA and GEMINI RCT data. Costs were derived from Medicare reimbursement rates and wholesale drug prices. Results Assuming a biological-naïve cohort, infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks was more cost-effective (

Screening for hepatitis C virus non-nucleotide resistance mutations in treatment-naive women

99 171 per MH achieved) than adalimumab 40 mg every other week (

Biologic tissue sampling with untethered microgrippers.

316 378 per MH achieved) and vedolizumab every 8 weeks (