Expression of CD25, mast cell markers and T-cell markers in eosinophilic esophagitis.

While eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) is defined by histologic presence of eosinophils, a few studies have established the presence of mast cells in EOE and even shown their correlation with symptom persistence despite resolution of eosinophils. Expression of aberrant mast cell markers CD25 and CD2 have not been studied in EOE. This study quantifies the number of hotspot cells per high power field expressing CKIT/CD117, tryptase, CD25, CD2 and CD3 by immunohistochemical stains in endoscopic esophageal biopsies of the following three cohorts: (1) established and histologically confirmed EOE, (2) suspected EOE with biopsies negative for eosinophils, and (3) no history of or suspicion for EOE with histologically unremarkable biopsies.

Diversion colitis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is distinct from that in non-IBD: Reappraisal of diversion colitis.

The significant histologic overlap between diversion colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses a diagnostic challenge. We aimed to identify histologic features that are characteristic of diverted colon segments among patients with IBD and compare them with histologic features identified in IBD colectomies. Archived slides from resected diverted colon segments from patients with (n = 79) and without (n = 80) IBD and the corresponding prior colectomies (n = 52) of the IBD patients were reviewed.

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is independently correlated with early pouchitis following ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis.

Background: Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is one of the histologic predictors of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis (UC) following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Fecal calprotectin level has been shown to increase 2 months prior to the onset of pouchitis. We evaluated whether inflammation and calprotectin expression in appendiceal specimens correlate with early-onset pouchitis in UC and indeterminate colitis (IC).

Pyloric gland metaplasia: Potential histologic predictor of severe pouch disease including Crohn's disease of the pouch in ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease of the pouch (CDP) is seen in a subset of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Histologic or clinical predictors of CDP are unknown. UC patients with subsequent CDP diagnosis were identified.

Hepatitis C virus therapy with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Myanmar: A resource-constrained country.

Aim: To investigate peg-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods: This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a (180 μg/wk) or alpha-2b (50 to 100 μg as a weight-based dose) and RBV as a weight-based dose (15 mg/kg/d).