Impact of the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic to the 17-25 year age group and to the students of the Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Introduction: In 2009 a novel A(H1N1) influenza virus emerged and caused a pandemic. The scope of this study was to identify the impact of the pandemic to the 17-25 year age group and to normal University function.Methods: a) Epidemiological data was obtained from the National Influenza Center for northern Greece, regarding the 17-25 age group. b) Absence records from the first semester of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 were obtained from the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a questionnaire was given to 100 medical students.Results and discussion: a) Two pandemic waves were identified; the first was during weeks 27-35 and the second during weeks 43-52.Of the 4949 examined samples, 1632 were confirmed pandemic H1N1 2009 infections (33%), and 362 (22%) belonged to the 17-25 age group. Of the latest, 53% were male and 47% were female. Most infections belonging to this group were mild, and developed influenza like illness (ILI) symptoms. Only 19% developed pneumonia or other complications and 2 were fatal. 4% was vaccinated against influenza and 2% against S. pneumoniae. Only 7% received Tamiflu treatment. 9% noted a travel history related to their infection. b) The second wave was synchronous with the 1st University Semester. However, no statistical difference between absence levels during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 was identified and no students had reported ILI symptoms.Conclusively, whereas the 17-25 age group was indeed of the mostly affected from the pandemic, it seems that unexpectedly there was no impact to normal University function

The Histological and Immunohistochemical Aspects of Bile Reflux in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Introduction. The pathogenesis of GERD is strongly related with mixed acid and bile reflux. Benign and malignant esophageal and gastric lesions have been associated with synergetic activity between those parameters. Bile reflux causes reactive gastropathy evaluated with Bile Reflux Index (BRI). The aim was to investigate if the sequence: bile reflux-intestinal metaplasia-GERD-esophagitis, is associated with apoptotic/oncogenetic disturbances. Materials/Methods. Fifteen asymptomatic subjects and 53 GERD patients underwent gastroscopy with biopsies. The specimens examined histologically and immunohistochemically for p53, Ki-67, Bax, and Bcl-2. Results. Elevated BRI score detected in 47% (25/53) of patients with GERD and in 13% (2/15) of controls (P = 0.02). Severe esophageal lesions were significantly more common in BRI (+) patients (14/25) compared to BRI (−) ones (P = 0.0049). Immunohistochemical analysis did not show associations between BRI score and biomarker expression. Conclusions. Bile reflux gastropathy is associated with GERD severity, but not with oncogene expression or apoptotic discrepancies of the upper GI mucosa

Recurrent prurigo nodularis related to infected tonsils: a case report

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Esophageal and small bowel obstruction by occupational bezoar: report of a case

BACKGROUND: Phytobezoar may be a cause of bowel obstruction in patients with previous gastric surgery. Most bezoars are concretions of poorly digested food, which are usually formed initially in the stomach. Intestinal obstruction (esophageal and small bowel) caused by an occupational bezoar has not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year old male is presented suffering from esophageal and small bowel obstruction, caused by an occupational bezoar. The patient has worked as a carpenter for 35 years. He had undergone a vagotomy and pyloroplasty 10 years earlier. The part of the bezoar, which caused the esophageal obstruction was removed during endoscopy, while the part of the small bowel was treated surgically. The patient recovered well and was discharged on the 8(th )postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Since occupational bezoars may be a cause of intestinal obstruction (esophageal and/or small bowel), patients who have undergone a previous gastric surgery should avoid occupational exposures similar to the presented case

Ischemic Colitis of the Left Colon in a Diabetic Patient

Diabetes mellitus may affect the gastrointestinal tract possibly as a result of autonomic neuropathy. Here we present a 68-year-old male with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who presented with prolonged watery diarrhea and in whom imaging studies demonstrated ischemic colitis of the left colon. Resection of the affected colon resulted in sustained disappearance of symptoms

Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue Adherent to the External Gallbladder Wall

Heterotopic pancreatic tissue can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, with the stomach and small bowel being the most common sites of localization. The gallbladder is seldom affected. Here, we report 2 cases of ectopic pancreas within the fatty tissue adherent to the organ wall. Both cases concerned young women (31 and 36 years old) who were treated with a laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to persistent abdominal symptoms thought to be related to chronic cholecystitis. Pathological examination revealed the presence of ectopic pancreatic tissue type 1