Hepatic expression of cholesterol regulating genes favour increased circulating low-density lipoprotein in HIV infected patients with gallstone disease: a preliminary study.

Background: HIV endemic populations are displaying higher incidence of metabolic disorders. HIV and the standard treatment are both associated with altered lipid and cholesterol metabolism, however gallstone disease (a cholesterol related disorder) in Sub-Saharan African populations is rarely investigated.

Methods: This study sought to evaluate hepatic expression of key genes in cholesterol metabolism (LDLr, HMGCR, ABCA1) and transcriptional regulators of these genes (microRNA-148a, SREBP2) in HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy presenting with gallstones.

Fulminant amoebic colitis in the era of computed tomography scan: A case report and review of the literature.

Amoebic colitis, caused by ingestion of water or food contaminated with the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, can progress to a fulminant colitis. Computed tomography (CT) findings reported in the literature on this type of colitis are sparse. We present a 59-year-old male patient with a one-week history of progressive abdominal pain, abdominal distension and associated watery and bloody diarrhoea.