The soluble mannose receptor is released from the liver in cirrhotic patients, but is not associated with bacterial translocation.

Background & Aims: Intestinal bacterial translocation is involved in activation of liver macrophages in cirrhotic patients. Macrophages play a key role in liver inflammation and are involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and complications. Bacterial translocation may be determined by presence of bacterial DNA and macrophage activation, by the soluble mannose receptor.

[Colectomy in a patient with pneumatosis coli].

Pneumatosis coli (PC) is a rare condition which may be difficult to diagnose. We report a case of PC in a 46-year-old woman, where colonoscopy and biopsies showed signs of widespread polyposis. She had a prophylactic colectomy.

No difference in portal and hepatic venous bacterial DNA in patients with cirrhosis undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion.

Background: Bacterial translocation (BT) with immune activation may lead to hemodynamical alterations and poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Aims: We investigated bacterial DNA (bDNA), a marker of BT, and its relation to portal pressure and markers of inflammation in the portal and hepatic veins in patients with cirrhosis undergoing TIPS insertion.

Methods: We analysed plasma for bDNA and markers of inflammation in 28 patients [median portal pressure gradient 15 (11-19) mmHg] during TIPS treatment for refractory ascites (n = 19) or acute variceal bleeding (n = 9).

Small intestinal transit in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension: a descriptive study.

Background: Gastrointestinal dysmotility may be involved in the development of bacterial translocation and infection in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to describe gastric, small intestinal and colorectal motility and transit in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension using a magnet-based Motility Tracking System (MTS-1) and standard radiopaque markers.

Methods: We included 15 patients with liver cirrhosis (8 Child-Pugh A, 6 Child-Pugh B, and 1 Child-Pugh C) and portal hypertension (11 males, median age 54 years (range 38-73), median hepatic venous pressure gradient 18 mmHg (range 12-37)), and 18 healthy controls (8 males, median age 58 years (range 34-64)).