Comparison of lymphocyte isolation methods for endoscopic biopsy specimens from the colonic mucosa.

An ideal method of immune cell isolation should provide maximum cell yield without disturbing functional properties. Intestinal endoscopic biopsies, in contrast to surgical samples, allow the study of all disease stages but have the drawback of a minimum amount of tissue available, making protocol optimization mandatory. We compared for the first time two methods of separation of colonic epithelium and five methods of lamina propria cell isolation for colonic biopsy specimens (mechanical, enzymatic and organ culture protocols).

Are positive serum-IgA-tissue-transglutaminase antibodies enough to diagnose coeliac disease without a small bowel biopsy? Post-test probability of coeliac disease.

Background: It has been suggested that high titres of tTG are associated with elevated positive predictive values (PPV) for celiac disease. However, the PPV of a strongly positive tTG will depend on the celiac disease prevalence in the different risk groups of the disease

Aims: To assess the PPV of a strongly positive tTG for celiac disease. In addition, to calculate the post-test probability for celiac disease of a strongly positive tTG in a setting of routine clinical practice.

Evaluation of a latex agglutination test (PYLOGEN) for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in stool specimens.

The aim of the study was to assess a new latex agglutination (LA) stool antigen assay (PYLOGEN; CerTest Biotec, Zaragoza, Spain) in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and to monitor its eradication after treatment. The LA test has been approved for sale in Europe, and its approval from the US Food and Drug Administration is still pending. The individuals enrolled were classified into 3 groups of patients: Group 1 consisted of 38 patients who are H.

Comparison of stool antigen immunoassay methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection before and after eradication treatment.

The aim of the study was to compare 6 stool antigen immunoassays for detecting Helicobacter pylori before and after eradication treatment. We compared 3 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and 3 monoclonal immunochromatographic assays in diagnosing infection and in determining H. pylori status after eradication treatment.

Systematic evaluation of the causes of chronic watery diarrhea with functional characteristics.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND Causes of chronic watery diarrhea are multiple. There is not definite scientific evidence about AND AIMS: which are the recommended explorations to be performed in the diagnostic workup of patients with functional diarrhea. The aim was to assess prospectively the presence of gluten-sensitive enteropathy, bile acid malabsorption, and sugar malabsorption in consecutive patients with chronic watery diarrhea of obscure origin fulfilling Rome II criteria of functional disease.

Drug consumption and the risk of microscopic colitis.

Background: Microscopic colitis is a rare disease of unknown etiology. It has been described that some drugs could cause or worsen the disease; however, the scientific evidence is limited.

Aim: To investigate the possible association of chronic drug consumption with microscopic colitis.

Intestinal spirochetosis and chronic watery diarrhea: clinical and histological response to treatment and long-term follow up.

Background: The clinical significance of intestinal spirochetosis is uncertain, therefore the aim of the present paper was to assess the prevalence of histological intestinal spirochetosis in patients with and without chronic watery diarrhea and to evaluate its clinical relevance.

Methods: A prospective diagnostic work-up of intestinal spirochetosis was made on biopsy samples taken from patients with chronic watery diarrhea submitted between 1994 and 2004 (1174 colonoscopies with multiple biopsies). Three other positive cases identified from routine endoscopic biopsies also were reviewed.

Sugar malabsorption in functional abdominal bloating: a pilot study on the long-term effect of dietary treatment.

Background: Functional abdominal bloating is a functional bowel disorder dominated by a feeling of abdominal fullness without sufficient criteria for another functional gastrointestinal disorder. Gas-related complaints (i.e.

Predisposing HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes of coeliac disease and associated enteropathy in microscopic colitis.

Objective: To assess the presence of both genetic and serological markers of coeliac disease in patients with microscopic colitis, and whether there was associated enteropathy.

Methods: HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8, serum immunoglobulin A-antiendomysial and immunoglobulin A-anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were investigated in 59 patients with microscopic colitis. Seventy healthy subjects acted as the control group.

Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis. evaluation of clinical and histological features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up.

Objective: Data on collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) have been based on retrospective studies of registries of patients from multiple hospitals. Such studies may induce a selection of patients with severe forms of the disease, and conclusions about the clinical spectrum of the disease and treatment efficacy are difficult to be drawn. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up of CC and LC in a large group of patients prospectively diagnosed in a single center.

[Induction therapy with interferon alfa-2a in compensated hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. Randomized, multicenter study].

Background: Although standard dose interferon (IFN) is successful in only 5% of patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, it has been suggested that this therapy might decrease the risk of complications or the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on HCV kinetics, daily IFN may improve response rates.

Patients And Method: Forty cirrhotic patients were randomised to receive (Group I: 19) or not (Group II: 21) treatment with IFN (4.