Matjaž Homan

Helicobacter pylori in pediatrics.

This review summarizes important pediatric studies published from April 2011 up to March 2012. Proteomics profile of ulcerogenic Helicobacter pylori strains was defined in the most interesting study of the last year. The antigen stool test is becoming the “gold standard” in prevalence studies, and according to the last epidemiologic studies, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in childhood is not decreasing any more in the developed world. The resistance rate of H. pylori strains is high in children. Therefore, among other important issues concerning H. pylori in pediatrics, guidelines published by ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN last year also recommended culture and susceptibility testing before first‐line treatment in areas with high or unknown antibiotic resistance rates.

Prevalence and clinical relevance of cagA, vacA, and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Slovenian children.

Background:Although infection with Helicobacter pylori in children mostly induces asymptomatic chronic gastritis, the clinical outcome of H pylori infection is generally unpredictable. To identify the risk subgroup of infected children who can progress toward serious gastrointestinal disease, we assessed the prevalence of H pylori virulence genes cagA, vacA, and iceA in children from southeastern Europe and correlated their presence with the severity of histological changes in the stomach. Materials and Methods:A total of 165 children (age range 4–18 years, mean 13 years) with H pylori infection were studied for a 6-year period. Virulence genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction from biopsy samples. Results:The cagA gene was present in 61.2% of patients. The predominant vacA genotype was s1m1 (42%), followed by s1m2 (28%), and s2m2 (24%). IceA genotypes iceA1 and iceA2 were detected in 62% and 31% of the samples, respectively. Multiple genotypes were found in 11.5% of isolates. The H pylori density score, the degree of chronic and acute inflammation, correlated with a cagA-positive status (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.01, respectively). Higher bacterial infiltration (P < 0.01) and degree of chronic inflammation (P = 0.03) were detected in vacA s1–positive samples. Conclusion:CagA, vacA s1m1, and iceA1 genotypes are the predominant genotypes of H pylori isolated from the southeastern European pediatric population. CagA and vacA s1 are important virulence determinants of H pylori in children, but were not found associated with an increased incidence of precancerous gastric lesions.

Are probiotics useful in Helicobacter pylori eradication

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered an etiologic factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and MALT lymphoma. Therapeutic schemes to eradicate the bacteria are based on double antibiotic therapy and proton pump inhibitor. Despite many therapeutic improvements in H. pylori eradication treatment, it is still associated with high infection rate also in developed countries. Bacterial resistance and adverse events occurrence are among most frequent causes for anti- H. pylori treatment failure. Several studies have reported that certain probiotic strains can exhibit inhibitory activity against H. pylori bacteria. In addition, some probiotic strains can reduce the occurrence of side effects due to antibiotic therapy and consequently increase the H. pylori eradication rate. The results of the prospective double-blind placebo-controlled studies suggest that specific probiotics, such as S. boulardii and L. johnsonni La1 probably can diminish the bacterial load, but not completely eradicate the H. pylori bacteria. Furthermore, it seems that supplementation with S. boulardii is a useful concomitant therapy in the standard H. pylori eradication treatment protocol and most probably increases eradication rate. L. reuteri is equally effective, but more positive studies are needed. Finally, probiotic strains, such as S. boulardii, L. reuteri and L. GG, decrease gastrointestinal antibiotic associated adverse effects.

Antibacterial resistance and the success of tailored triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Slovenian children

Primary Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs predominantly in childhood. Antimicrobial resistance is the leading cause for H. pylori eradication failure. The aims of this study were (i) to establish for the first time the antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori strains in infected Slovenian children not previously treated for H. pylori infection and (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored triple therapy, assuming that eradication rate with tailored triple therapy will be >90%.

Caustic Ingestion: A Possible Cause of Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging disease in both pediatric and adult patients. It is a chronic disease of the esophagus and refers to intense eosinophilic infiltration limited to the esophageal epithelium in the absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In most patients, EoE is thought to be part of an allergic response to food antigens or aeroallergens. One such trigger could be caustic damage of the mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, the following case report describes for the first time the possible association between caustic injury of the esophagus and EoE.

Nodularity of the small intestine in a child with systemic mastocytosis associated with hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome.

p JP A 7-year-old boy with hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome presented with intermittent bloody diarrhea since the age of 6 months. On physical examination he had hepatosplenomegaly, generalized lympadenopathy, and hyperpigmented papular/vesicular rash around the umbilicus. The growth parameters were normal. The skin biopsy was consistent with mastocytoma. Endoscopic evaluation revealed nodular small intestinal mucosa. The most prominent nodularity was seen in the duodenum (Fig. 1), and less so in the terminal ileum. The histology revealed acute and chronic inflammation without architectural changes, and a high number of mastocytes, confirming systemic mastocytosis (Fig. 2). Treatment with monthly intravenous gamma globulin, antihistamines, ketotifen, and proton pump inhibitor resulted in almost complete resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms.

GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal recessive hereditary disease. The clinicalconsequences include multisystem disease characterised by progressive pulmonary disease leading to respiratory failure, pancreatic disfunction, liver disease that may progressto chirrhosis and men infertility due to atresia of the vas deferens. Early intervention andprevention of lung disease is of paramount importance, since the prognosis of the diseaseis substantially dependent on chronic respiratory infection and inflammation. Cysticfibrosis is a complex disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Centercare by a team of experienced health professionals is essential for optimal patient management and outcome. CONCLUSIONS The article presents diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for the management of children with cystic fibrosi