Fecal microbiota transplant for infection in older adults

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the safety of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among older adults. Methods: We performed a case review of all FMT recipients aged 65 or older treated at Emory University Hospital, a tertiary care and referral center for Georgia and surrounding states. Results: CDI resolved in 27 (87%) of 31 respondents, including three individuals who received multiple FMTs. Among four whose CDI was not resolved at follow up, three respondents did well initially before CDI recurred, and one individual never eradicated his CDI despite repeating FMT. During the study, five deaths and eight serious adverse events requiring hospitalization were reported within the study group during the follow-up period. Fecal transplant was not a causative factor in these events. The most common adverse event reported in 4 (13%) of 31 respondents was subjective worsening of arthritis. Conclusion: FMT is a generally safe and effective treatment option for older adults with CDI

IBD Serology and Disease Outcomes in African Americans With Crohn\u27s Disease

Backgrounds: Recent studies have identified the role of serologic markers in characterizing disease phenotype, location, complications, and severity among Northern Europeans (NE) with Crohn\u27s disease (CD). However, very little is known about the role of serology in CD among African Americans (AA). Our study explored the relationship between serology and disease phenotype in AA with CD, while controlling for genetic ancestry. Methods: AAs with CD were enrolled as participants through multicenter collaborative efforts. Serological levels of IgA anti-Saccharomyces cervisiae antibody (ASCA), IgG ASCA, E. coli outermembrane porin C, anti-CBir1, and ANCA were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Genotyping was performed using Illumina immunochip technology; an admixture rate was calculated for each subject. Multiple imputation by chained equations was performed to account for data missing at random. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (OR) for associations between serological markers and both complicated disease and disease requiring surgery. Results: A total of 358 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of our patients had inflammatory, noncomplicated disease (58.4%), perianal disease (55.7%), and documented colonic inflammation (86.8%). On multivariable analysis, both IgG ASCA and OmpC were associated with complicated disease (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.67-4.28; OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.41-3.53, respectively) and disease requiring surgery (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.49-4.22; OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 2.12-6.00). NE admixture to the African genome did not have any associations or interactions in relation to clinical outcome. Conclusions: Our study comprises the largest cohort of AAs with CD. The utility of serological markers for the prognosis of CD in NE applies equally to AA populations