Prospective observational study on antibiotic-associated bloody diarrhea: report of 21 cases with a long-term follow-up from Turkey

WOS: 000303826200012PubMed ID: 22433794Objective Antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis is a distinct form of antibiotic-associated bloody diarrhea (AABD) in which Clostridium difficile is absent. Although the cause is not exactly known, reports have suggested the role of Klebsiella oxytoca and/or C. difficile. Materials and Methods Between 2001 and 2006, stool samples of 21 consecutive patients with AABD were cultured for common enteric pathogens and K. oxytoca, and were tested for the presence of parasites and C. difficile toxin A + B within the first 24 h of their initial admission and a colonoscopy was performed when available. The patients were followed up prospectively by telephone interviews. Results The occurrence of symptoms ranged between 6 h and 14 days following the first dose of the antibiotic responsible and the duration of the AABD ranged between 6 h and 21 days. The antibiotic responsible was oral ampicillin/sulbactam in 18 (85%) cases. C. difficile toxin A + B production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and K. oxytoca growth in stool cultures were detected in six (29%) and 11 (51%) of 21 patients, respectively. Endoscopic morphology and histology in a limited number of patients revealed no more than a nonspecific inflammation and acute colitis, respectively. Conclusion This study confirms that antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis, as a distinct entity in relation to K. oxytoca, is seen in half of the patients with AABD. Most of the cases are seen within a week following the antibiotic use. Almost all of the patients did not develop any flares during the long-term antibiotic-free follow-up. In some of the patients with AABD, there was coexistence of K. oxytoca with C. difficile toxin A + B. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24: 688-69

A Clinical Experience: Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Bezoars

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the cases treated for gastrointestinal obstruction due to bezoar in terms of clinical-radiological-endoscopic features and treatment methods.Method:Among the patients treated for acute mechanical intestinal obstruction (AMIO) in our hospital between January 2014 and December 2019, 33 patients with bezoar-related AMIO were included in the study. The cases were examined in terms of the presence of comorbidity, tomography and endoscopy features, and treatment modalities.Results:A history of intraabdominal surgery was found in 82% of patients (n=27) and a history of upper gastrointestinal surgery in 60% (n=20). DM accompanied in 27% of the patients (n=9) and psychiatric disorder in 18% (n=6). With computered tomography, gastric dilatation was observed in 9 patients, jejunal in 9 patients, jejunoileal in 9 patients, and dilatation in all bowel segments in 6 patients. Endoscopy was performed in 12 patients; 9 had peptic ulcers, 3 were normal. Seventeen cases were treated with laparotomy, 9 cases with a laparoscopic enterotomy, and 3 cases with endoscopic procedures. 4 cases were treated with a Coca-Cola injection from a nasogastric catheter, which was successful.Conclusion:It is difficult to diagnose bezoar-related AMIO with clinical findings. Radiological and endoscopic methods are important in diagnosis. Although endoscopic methods are also used successfully for therapeutic purposes, surgical methods are used in distal locations and complicated cases

GIS-Based Soil Investigation of Balıkesir (Northwest Turkey) with Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods

Soil research was carried out using geophysical, geological, and geotechnical methods to reduce possible earthquake damage and to ensure regular land use in the regions determined within the borders of Bandırma and Erdek districts of Balıkesir province. In this context, microtremor measurements were made in the study area. The ground was obtained with the dominant period and magnification values. Microtremor, shear wave velocity (Vs30), soil drilling, and SPT-N test results were collected and transferred to the database created in the ArcGIS program, a Geographical Information System (GIS) software. Using the data in the database with the ArcMap program, the geology of the study area, aspect, slope, dominant soil period, soil amplification, shear wave velocity (Vs30), soil classification according to TBDY-2018 maps by making necessary corrections created. In addition, 308 earthquake data with a magnitude of 4.0 and above obtained from 5 Strong Ground Motion stations in the study area were analyzed with the Geopsy program, and ground amplification values were obtained and added to the database. With the geotechnical properties of the study area, the results of the analyzes and evaluations obtained as a result of the geophysical study are presented with microzonation maps, and preliminary information that can be used in studies to reduce the earthquake hazard in the study area has been created

Functional Bowel Disorder Management in Routine Practice with Tips for Hot Topics: Expert Opinion Review

Functional gastrointestinal system disorders are common problems in practice. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and a mixture of these, and similar symptoms can be seen in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and celiac disease depending on the age of the patient, indicating the importance of differential diagnosis. The importance of patient management is shown by making a symptom-based diagnosis and making cost-effective, that is, limited advanced examinations. The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifactorial, and stress is one of the leading triggers of IBS symptoms. Therefore, terminology will change to gut-brain interaction disorders in the future, and the patient-physician relationship has a special place in the treatment of functional bowel disorder. Dietary recommendation and medical treatment in IBS should be determined according to the predominant symptom and symptom severity. In addition to diet, some lifestyle changes can also be helpful in reducing IBS symptoms. Antispasmodics and antidepressants are not fast-acting. These drugs should be used for at least 2-4 weeks to see the efficacy of treatment. Drugs should be used according to the standard recommended duration and dose in intermittent treatments

How to treat myelodysplastic syndrome with clinical features resembling Behcet syndrome: a case-based systematic review

The association between myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Behcet syndrome (BS) is recognized for over 25 years. High frequency of trisomy 8 and intestinal ulcers are striking features of this association. There are no recommendations for how these patients should be treated. A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed using the keyword combination "(((((intestinal) OR gastrointestinal) OR ulcer) OR Behcet*)) AND ((myelodysplastic syndrome) OR MDS)" in March 2019. Our aim was to gain insight regarding clinical responses to individual treatment modalities. A recent case was also presented and included in the analysis. Data from 41 articles reporting on a total of 53 patients carried adequate information to assess treatment responses. Glucocorticoids provided benefit in 23 of 43 patients. Azacitidine, decitabine, thalidomide, and cyclosporine contributed to a clinical improvement in 4/6, 2/3, 3/4, and 5/8 patients respectively. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was successful in 9 of 13 patients. With the use of TNF inhibitors, azathioprine, and mesalamine derivatives, clinical improvement was observed in 3/11, 0/4, and 6/18 patients respectively. Patients with MDS and BS-like features who are resistant to glucocorticoids have so far benefited more from treatment approaches directed at MDS, rather than the immunosuppressive agents used for BS