Lower gastrointestinal symptoms and symptoms-based triaging systems are poor predictors of clinical significant disease on colonoscopy.

Introduction: Lower gastrointestinal symptoms (LGS) are a common cause of referral to the gastroenterology service. International guidelines are available to prioritise referrals. Some studies have reported that symptoms alone are a poor marker of clinically significant disease (CSD) but symptoms remain the main way to prioritise referrals in routine clinical practice.

Genomic profiling of intestinal T-cell receptor repertoires in inflammatory bowel disease.

Growing evidence shows that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from dysregulation of immune responses to gut microbes. T-cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on the T-cell surface play critical roles in discriminating pathogens from commensal intestinal microorganisms at the front line of the adaptive immune system. The breakdown of this interaction may trigger persistent inflammatory responses to gut bacteria, resulting in IBD.

Molecular detection of antibiotic resistance in stool biopsy samples.

Aim: To compare (1) demographics in urea breath test (UBT) endoscopy patients; and (2) the molecular detection of antibiotic resistance in stool biopsy samples.

Methods: Six hundred and sixteen adult patients undergoing endoscopy or a UBT were prospectively recruited to the study. The GenoType HelicoDR assay was used to detect () and antibiotic resistance using biopsy and/or stool samples from CLO-positive endoscopy patients and stool samples from UBT-positive patients.

A randomized-controlled study to compare the efficacy of sequential therapy with standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in an Irish population.

Introduction: Eradication rates for the standard first-line triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection have decreased in recent years. Sequential therapy has been suggested as an alternative. The efficacy of sequential therapy has not been assessed to date in an Irish population.