Ligia Sassaki

Mucosa-associated but not luminal Escherichia coli is augmented in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

BackgroundEscherichia coli is believed to participate in the etiology of Crohn’s disease (CD) and possibly of ulcerative colitis (UC), due at least in part to the observed rise in the number of these bacteria in the gut microbiota of CD and UC patients. Nevertheless, it is not fully understood whether this quantitative variation occurs equally throughout the mucosal and luminal spaces of the gut. To assess this question, stools and mucosa biopsies from distinct intestinal sites were cultured aiming at determining their E. coli concentration. The cultures were additionally screened for the presence of some virulence genes of pathogenic E. coli.ResultsAnalyses of clinical materials from 14 controls (38 biopsies and 14 stools samples), 11 CD (25 biopsies and 11 stools samples) and 7 UC patients (18 biopsies and 7 stools samples) indicated no significant variation in the number of E. coli present in stools, but a rise of at least one log10 CFU/mg in biopsies from the ileum of CD patients and the sigmoid and rectum of CD and UC patients. The cultures were screened for the presence of E. coli attaching and effacing (eae), invasion plasmid antigen H (ipaH), aggregative adherence transcriptional activator (aggR), Shiga cytotoxins (stx), and heat labile enterotoxin (elt) and the following serine proteases autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) genes: plasmid encoded toxin (pet), secreted autotransporter toxin (sat), Shigella extracellular protein (sepA), protein involved in intestinal colonization (pic) and Shigella IgA-like protease homolog (sigA). Six of the 10 genes screened were detected in the total of samples investigated: aggR, eae, pet, sat, sepA and sigA. No difference in the prevalence of any of these markers was observed in cultures from different clinical materials or groups of patients.MethodsBacterial quantitation was carried out following cultures of diluted samples suspensions in MacConkey agar, Wilkins Chalgren agar for anaerobes, E. coli/ coliform chromocult agar, and blood agar. Screening for E. coli virulence genes was performed by multiplex PCR of DNA purified from total MacConkey undiluted broth cultures.ConclusionIn CD and UC patients only the mucosa associated population of E. coli is augmented and the proliferation is prominent in the ileum of CD and rectum and sigmoid of both UC and CD patients which are sites where the lesions usually are observed. The augmented E. coli population in these sites presented a low number of the virulence markers, possibly meaning that they are not relevant for the disease process.

Escherichia coli from Crohn's disease patient displays virulence features of enteroinvasive (EIEC), enterohemorragic (EHEC), and enteroaggregative (EAEC) pathotypes.

BackgroundEscherichia coli is a normal inhabitant of the gut which upon acquiring virulence factors becomes potentially able to cause diseases. Although E. coli population augments in Crohn’s disease (CD), the reason of this proliferation is not yet clear. CD associated E. coli shows features of extraintestinal pathogenic categories (ExPEC), and eventually the ability to invade cultured epithelial cells, a property observed among diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). In this work, data on the characterization of an E. coli isolate from a CD patient reveal that, besides invasiveness, CD associated E. coli may harbor other typical DEC markers, namely those defining enterohemorragic (EHEC) and enteroaggregative (EAEC) pathotypes.ResultsThe studied strain, detected both in an ileum biopsy and stools, belonged to the B2 E. coli reference collection (EcoR) phylogroup and harbored the intimin, Shiga cytotoxin 1, and AggR transcriptional activator encoding genes (eae, stx1, aggR, respectively); displayed aggregative adherence to Hep-2 cells and an ability to enter Caco-2 cells four times as high as that of EIEC reference strain and half of invasiveness of AIEC LF82. It was able to enter and replicate in J774 macrophages with invasiveness 85 times as high as that of LF82, but with only one sixth of the intracellular proliferation ability of the later. Extracellular products with cytotoxic activity on Vero cells were detected in strain’s cultures. Preliminary analysis indicated similarity of this strain’s genome with that of O104:H4/2011C-3493.MethodsFollowing its isolation from a resected CD patient, the strain was characterized by in vitro adhesion and invasion assays to Hep-2, invasion to Caco-2 cells and to J774 macrophages and tested for the ability to form biofilm and to produce Shiga cytotoxins. PCRs were carried out to identify virulence genetic markers and for EcoR phylogrouping. The strain’s genome was sequenced by means of Ion torrent PGM platform.ConclusionThe detection, in a CD patient, of an E. coli combining virulence features of multiple DEC pathotypes seems not only to stress the relevance of E. coli to CD etiopathogenesis but also to indicate the existence of new and potentially more virulent strains putatively associated with this disease.

Pancreatic paracoccidioidomycosis simulating malignant neoplasia: Case report

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic granulomatous disease caused by fungus, and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal tumors in endemic areas. We report a rare case of paracoccidioidomycosis in the pancreas. A 45-year-old man was referred to our institution with a 2-mo history of epigastric abdominal pain that was not diet-related, with night sweating, inappetence, weight loss, jaundice, pruritus, choluria, and acholic feces, without signs of sepsis or palpable tumors. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed a solid mass of approximately 7 cm × 5.5 cm on the pancreas head. Abdominal computerized tomography showed dilation of the biliary tract, an enlarged pancreas (up to 4.5 in the head region), with dilation of the major pancreatic duct. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, and the surgical description consisted of a tumor, measuring 7 to 8 cm with a poorly-defined margin, adhering to posterior planes and mesenteric vessels, showing an enlarged bile duct. External drainage of the biliary tract, Roux-en-Y gastroenteroanastomosis, lymph node excision, and biopsies were performed, but malignant neoplasia was not found. Microscopic analysis showed chronic pancreatitis and a granulomatous chronic inflammatory process in the choledochal lymph node. Acid-alcohol resistant bacillus and fungus screening were negative. Fine-needle aspiration of the pancreas was performed under US guidance. The smear was compatible with infection by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We report a rare case of paracoccidioidomycosis simulating a malignant neoplasia in the pancreas head.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy associated with severe acute pancreatitis: A case report

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare disease that affects women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Although infrequent, the disease can cause maternal mortality. The diagnosis is not always clear until the pregnancy is terminated, and significant complications, such as acute pancreatitis, can occur. Pancreatic involvement typically only occurs in severe cases after the development of hepatic and renal impairment. To date, little knowledge is available regarding how the disease causes pancreatitis. Treatment involves supportive measures and pregnancy interruption. In this report, we describe a case of a previously healthy 26-year-old woman at a gestational age of 27 wk and 6 d who was admitted with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. This case illustrates the clinical and laboratory overlap between acute fatty liver of pregnancy and pancreatitis, highlighting the difficulties in differentiating each disease. Furthermore, the hypothesis for this overlapping is presented, and the therapeutic options are discussed.

Anti-TNF Exposure during Pregnancy in Crohn’s Disease Patients

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects young people of reproductive age. Therefore, a broad discussion is needed about the possible disease effects in pregnancy, as well as the risks of fetal exposure to the medications used, especially biological therapy. This study aimed to describe the management of 4 Crohn’s disease patients who received anti-TNF therapy during pregnancy and present a literature review. We reported 4 cases composed of young women who became pregnant while receiving anti-TNF agents. The patients presented a satisfactory response to the clinical treatment and the pregnancies progressed without complications. We did not observe maternal or embryonic toxicity, or unfavorable outcomes. The available data point to inflammatory activity as the main risk factor for unfavorable gestational evolution to date, and showed anti-TNF therapy to be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, the benefits and risks must be discussed with the patient and management decisions should be taken on an individual basis.

P-233 Biodiversity of Mucosa Associated Microbiome of Crohnʼs Disease Patients Living in Middle Western São Paulo State, Brazil

BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiome (IM) has extensively been studied in the search for a link of bacteria with the cause of Crohn`s disease (CD). The association might result from the action of a specific pathogen and/or an eventual imbalance in bacterial species composition of the gut. The innumerous virulence associated markers and strategies described for adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) have made them putative candidate pathogens for CD. IM of CD patients shows dysbiosis, manifested by the proliferation of bacterial groups such as Enterobacteriaceae and reduction of others such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The augmented bacterial population comprising of commensal and/or pathogenic organisms super stimulates the immune system, triggering the inflammatory reactions responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Considering the role played by IM in CD and the multiple variables influencing its species composition, resulting in differences among populations, the objective of this study was to determine the bacterial biodiversity in the mucosa associated microbiome of CD patients from a population not previously subject to this analysis, living in the middle west region of São Paulo state. METHODS: A total of 4 CD patients and 5 controls subjects attending the Botucatu Medical School of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) for routine colonoscopy and who signed an informed consent were included in the study. A number of 2 biopsies, one from the ileum and other from any part of the terminal colon, were taken from each subject and immediately frozen at −70°C until DNA purification. The bacterial biodiversity was assessed by next generation (ion torrent) sequencing of PCR amplicons of the ribosomal DNA 16S V6 region (16S V6 rDNA). The bacterial identification was performed at the genus level, by alignment of the generated DNA sequences with those available at the ribosomal database project (RDP) website. RESULTS: The overall DNA sequence output was based on an average number of 526,427 reads per run, matching 50 bacterial genus 16SrDNA sequences available at the RDB website, and 22 non matching sequences. Over 95% of the sequences corresponded to taxa belonging to the major phyla: Firmicutes, Bacterioidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Irrespective of the intestinal site analyzed, no case-control differences could be observed in the prevalence of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The prevalence of Proteobacteria was higher (40%) in the biopsies of control subjects as compared to that of DC patients (16%). For Bacterioidetes, the higher prevalence was observed among DC patients (33% as opposed to 14,5% in controls). The significance for all comparisons considered a p value < 0,05 in a Chi2 test. No mucosal site specific differences could be observed in IM comparisons of CD and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The rise in the number of Bacterioidetes observed here among CD patients seems to be in agreement with most of studies published thus far. Yet, the reduction in the number of Proteobacteria along with an apparently unaltered population of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, which include the so called “beneficial” organisms Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were rather surprising. These data suggest that the analyses on the role of IM in CD should consider the multiple variables that may influence its species composition.

P-002 Adenocarcinoma Arising from Perianal Fistula in Crohnʼs Disease: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Crohns disease, a dysfunction of the immune system of unknown etiology with genetic and environmental component, has chronic inflammatory nature and can affect different segments of the intestine. Perianal fistulas are more aggressive complications that occur in the range from 10% to 26% of these patients. Although rare, long-term fistulae can progress to adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The degree of activity as well as the duration of fistulas appear to increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and anal adenocarcinoma. Chronic inflammatory processes are largely related to neoplastic degeneration. Early diagnosis is difficult due to the allocation of clinical symptoms such as pain, bleeding, itching, discharge that stains underwear and difficulty to evacuate be attributed to fistulas as well as the exams image processing of inconclusive nature for the diagnosis of this cancer. We report a rare case of colonic DC, with recurrent perianal fistula which progressed to adenocarcinoma with good response to surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: Female patient, 59 years old, Caucasian, with colonic Crohns disease and perianal discovered in 2003 by the obstructive acute abdomen condition. Evolved with perianal fistulas and rectovaginal fistula. Initially underwent treatment with prednisone and sulfasalazine. Azathioprine was introduced in 2004 by endoscopic activity of the disease. In 2005 she was appointed the 5 mg/kg Infliximab for the treatment of perianal fistulas and rectovaginal which patient used for a period of 1 year. In 2008 she returned to her appointment and referred an injury in the perineal region. Physical examination revealed a tumor about 3 cm in diameter in the perineal region, with 1 cm long ulceration, smooth edges, granular base, reddish, painless manipulation (Fig. 1), being the same shown a biopsy with the confirmation of adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry favored primary tumor in the colon and endocervix. She underwent surgical excision in February 2009, being held a partial vulvovaginectomy. The pathological diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of intestinal pattern and the presence of adjacent intestinal fistulae. The immunohistochemical examination reduction in relation to the colonic mucosa as the primary site of the lesion and positive for some markers (CEA, CK7, CK20, Vilina) favored the rise in the perianal glands and/or fistulas periretais. The patient remains asymptomatic. Remains in clinical and endoscopic remission of DC on use of Mesalazine 2 g/d. CONCLUSIONS: Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the anus may develop from fistulas, as in this case of ours. Adenocarcinoma of fistula origin is locally aggressive and the time of diagnosis interferes directly on the prognosis. Figure. No caption available.