Cold snare polypectomy vs. hot snare polypectomy vs. argon plasma coagulation for small (5-9mm) left-sided colorectal polyps: a prospective randomized trial.

Objective: To compare recurrence rates among three endoscopic treatment modalities for 5-9 mm left-sided colorectal polyps.

Methods: Consecutive adults referred for elective colonoscopy (1/2015-1/2018) with at least one polyp of eligible size (5-9 mm) located distally to the splenic flexure were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment modalities: (1) cold snare polypectomy (CSP), (2) hot snare polypectomy (HSP) and (3) argon plasma coagulation (APC) ablation (50-60 W, flow: 2 l/min). The polyp site was marked with an endoscopic tattoo, and a follow-up colonoscopy with scar biopsies was performed >6 months after the index procedure.

COVID-19 pandemic: Pathophysiology and manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a newly identified β-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a dire health problem, causing a massive crisis for global health. Primary method of transmission was firstly thought to be animal to human transmission. However, it has been observed that the virus is transmitted from human to human via respiratory droplets.

The Greek Response to COVID-19: A True Success Story from an IBD Perspective.

Background: After the first case of infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in China, an outbreak rapidly spread, finally evolving into a global pandemic. The new disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and by May 10, 2020, it has affected more than 4 million people worldwide and caused more than 270,000 deaths.

Methods: We describe the Greek experience regarding the response to COVID-19, with particular focus on 2 COVID-19 reference hospitals in the metropolitan area of Athens, the capital of Greece.

Prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection among hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients in Greece.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an independent risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), which is associated significantly with disease severity. We aimed to determine the rates of CDI among hospitalized IBD patients in major tertiary referral hospitals in Greece.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out of stool cultures from hospitalized patients investigated for diarrhea, during 2016, tested for CDI with glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxins A and B.