High frequency of intestinal T17 cells correlates with microbiota alterations and disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

T helper 17 (T17) cells are key players in multiple sclerosis (MS), and studies in animal models demonstrated that effector T17 cells that trigger brain autoimmunity originate in the intestine. We validate in humans the crucial role of the intestinal environment in promoting T17 cell expansion in MS patients. We found that increased frequency of T17 cells correlates with high disease activity and with specific alterations of the gut mucosa-associated microbiota in MS patients.

Referrals for bowel ultrasound in clinical practice: a survey in 12 nationwide centres in Italy.

Background: The value of ultrasound (US) in assessing gastrointestinal diseases is well documented, but its demand in clinical practice is unknown. This survey evaluated the demand for bowel US in Italy.

Methods: Twelve sonographers of the Gastroenterology Section of the Italian Society of Ultrasound participated in a 1-month survey; they compiled a questionnaire assessing total number of patients referred for abdominal US and for gastrointestinal tract US, type of referring physician, indications and results of examinations.

Hydrosonography of the gastrointestinal tract.

Objective: Bowel sonography has become accepted as a useful tool in several gastrointestinal disorders. Filling of the gut with echo-poor liquids has been proposed to achieve a detailed evaluation of the bowel. This article refers to a review made concerning the benefits and limits of hydrosonography of the gastrointestinal tract.

Prevalence and clinical significance of sonographic evidence of mesenteric fat alterations in Crohn's disease.

Background: Mesenteric adipose tissue hypertrophy is a frequent sonographic finding in Crohn's disease (CD). This study assessed its sonographic prevalence, the correlation with the degree of clinical or biochemical activity of the disease, and its impact on disease outcome in CD patients.

Methods: In all, 185 consecutive CD patients underwent bowel ultrasound to assess the presence of mesenteric fat tissue alteration as well as thickness and echopattern of the bowel wall, site and extent of CD, and presence of stenosis, fistulas, and abscesses.

Transperineal ultrasound in the detection of perianal and rectovaginal fistulae in Crohn's disease.

Objectives: Perianal and rectovaginal fistulae are common complications in Crohn's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endoanal ultrasound are used for imaging perianal fistulae and abscesses, but both methods require expensive equipment and experienced investigators. Transperineal ultrasound may represent another method of detecting perianal complications in Crohn's disease.

Bowel ultrasound in Crohn's disease.

Most published studies have found bowel ultrasound to be a useful tool in the management of Crohn's disease. Indeed, it has been successfully used as the imaging technique of choice in screening patients with clinically suspected Crohn's disease. In these patients, bowel ultrasound, which is well accepted by patients, non-invasive and of low cost, may be the first diagnostic tool employed for young patients and can be used in the preliminary diagnostic work-up prior to further invasive tests.

Azathioprine and mesalamine for prevention of relapse after conservative surgery for Crohn's disease.

Background & Aims: Because the reoperation rate for Crohn's disease is high after resective surgery, use of conservative surgery has increased. Mesalamine was investigated for the prevention of postoperative relapse, with disappointing results. The role of azathioprine in the postoperative setting is unknown.