The Influence of Nutrition on Intestinal Permeability and the Microbiome in Health and Disease

The leakage of the intestinal barrier and the disruption of the gut microbiome are increasingly recognized as key factors in different pathophysiological conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic liver diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, types of cancer, and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, the mechanisms leading to dysbiosis and "leaky gut" are reviewed, and a short summary of the current knowledge regarding different diseases is provided. The simplest way to restore intestinal permeability and the microbiota could be ideal nutrition. Further therapeutic options are also available, such as the administration of probiotics or postbiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation

Risk Factors and Interpretation of Inconclusive Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Solid Pancreatic Lesions

Background: The inconclusive cytological findings of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) remain a major clinical challenge and often lead to treatment delays. Methods: Patients who had undergone EUS-FNA sampling for solid pancreas lesions between 2014 and 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The “atypical” and “non-diagnostic” categories of the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology System were considered inconclusive and the “negative for malignancy” category of malignancy was suspected clinically. We determined the frequency and predictors of inconclusive cytological finding. Results: A total of 473 first EUS-FNA samples were included, of which 108 cases (22.83%) were inconclusive. Significant increases in the odds of inconclusive cytological findings were observed for lesions with a benign final diagnosis (OR 11.20; 95% CI 6.56–19.54, p 4 cm (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.08–0.31, p < 0.001) compared to lesions ≤2 cm. Conclusions: The more than two punctures per EUS-FNA sampling with larger-diameter needle (19 G or 22 G) using the slow-pull and standard suction techniques in combination may decrease the probability of inconclusive cytological findings

Nationwide experiences with trough levels, durability, and disease activity among inflammatory bowel disease patients following COVID-19 vaccination.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has complicated the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).This study aimed to assess the efficacy of different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines under different treatments in IBD patients and identify predictive factors associated with lower serological response, including anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drug levels.A prospective, double-center study of IBD patients was conducted following messenger ribonucleotide acid (mRNA) and non-mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.Healthy control (HC) patients were enrolled to reduce bias. Baseline and control samples were obtained 14 days after the second dose to assess the impact of conventional and biological treatments. Clinical and biochemical activity, serological response level, and anti-TNF drug levels were measured.This study included 199 IBD (mean age, 40.9 ± 12.72 years) and 77 HC participants (mean age, 50.3 ± 12.36 years). Most patients (76.9%) and all HCs received mRNA vaccines. Half of the IBD patients were on biological treatment (anti-TNF 68.7%). Biological and thiopurine combined immunomodulation and biological treatment were associated with lower serological response (p < 0.001), and mRNA vaccination promoted better antibody levels (p < 0.001). Higher adalimumab levels caused lower serological response (p = 0.006). W8 persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 level was equal in IBD and HC groups. Vaccination did not aggravate clinical disease activity (p = 0.65).Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is considerably efficacious in IBD patients, with mRNA vaccines promoting better antibody levels. The negative impact of combined biological treatment, especially with high adalimumab drug levels, on serological response to vaccination should be considered. Although midterm durability of vaccination is encouraging, more data are needed to expand the existing understanding on this issue

Conception and reality: outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination among Hungarian IBD patients on biologic treatments

Inflammatory bowel disease potentially elevates the risk of infections, independently from age, while the disease activity and medical treatment(s) can also increase the risks. Nevertheless, it is necessary to clarify these preconceptions as well during the COVID-19 pandemic.An observational, questionnaire based study was conducted in Hungary between February and August 2021. 2 questionnaires were completed. The first questionnaire surveyed the impact of the pandemic on patients with biologic treatments and assessed the severity and outcome of the infection, whereas the second one assessed vaccination rate and adverse events.472 patients participated in the study. 16.9% of them acquired the infection and 6.3% needed hospitalization. None of them required ICU care. Male sex elevated the risk of infection (p=0.008), while glove (p=0.02) and mask wearing (p=0.005) was the most effective prevention strategy. Nevertheless, abstaining from community visits or workplace did not have an impact on the infection rate. Smoking, age, and disease type did not elevate the risk. UC patients had poorer condition during the infection (p=0.003); furthermore, the disease activity could potentially worsen the course of infection (p=0.072). The different biological treatments were equally safe; no difference was observed in the infection rate, course of COVID-19. Azathioprine and corticosteroids did not elevate the infection rate. 28 patients (35.0%) suspended the ongoing biologic treatment, but it had no impact on the disease course. However, it resulted in changing the current treatment (p=0.004). 9.8% of the respondents were sceptic about being vaccinated, and 90% got vaccinated. In one case, a serious flare-up occurred.Most patients acquired the infection at workplace. Biologic therapies had no effect on the COVID-19 infection, whereas male sex, an active disease, and UC could be larger threat than treatments. Vaccination was proved to be safe, and patient education is important to achieve mass vaccination of the population

Az alsó tápcsatornai endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat [Endoscopic ultrasound in the lower gastrointestinal tract]

Az endoszkópiát és az ultrahangtechnikát ötvöző, a tápcsatorna falának és a környező szerveknek és szöveteknek a vizualizálására minimálisan invazív módon alkalmas endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat az 1980-as évekbeli kifejlesztése óta jelentős technikai fejlesztéseken esett át. Ezáltal a vizsgálat indikációs köre folyamatosan bővül, így a diagnosztikus indikációk mellett már terápiás beavatkozásokra is lehetőséget biztosíthat. A rectumtumorok stádiummeghatározásában a legfrissebb ajánlások alapján a rectalis ultrahangvizsgálat – néhány speciális esettől eltekintve – elsősorban másodvonalbeli, kiegészítő modalitásként jön szóba a mágneses rezonanciás képalkotás mellett. Előretekintő echoendoszkópok és a munkacsatornán bevezethető ultrahangos miniszondák alkalmazásával a proximálisabb vastagbél területére is kiterjeszthető az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat alkalmazása. A rectalis vizsgálat emellett a subepithelialis laesiók differenciáldiagnosztikájában, a rectalis varixok azonosításában, valamint a gyulladásos bélbetegségek és a perianalis szövődmények diagnosztikájában is fontos szerepet játszhat. Az eljárás diagnosztikus pontossága bizonyos esetekben ultrahangvezérelt mintavétellel növelhető. A rectalis ultrahangvizsgálat terápiás alkalmazási területei egyelőre inkább ígéretes lehetőségek, mintsem a bevett klinikai gyakorlat részei, a jövőben azonban várhatóan egyre nagyobb teret nyerhetnek. A jelen összefoglaló célja az alsó tápcsatornai ultrahangvizsgálattal kapcsolatos általános ismeretek bemutatása mellett a vizsgálat indikációs körének áttekintése, beleértve a diagnosztikus és a terápiás indikációkat is. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(30): 1176–1186