Though smoking worsens CD, this meta-analysis does not show a negative effect of smoking on initial response to infliximab. This must be viewed in the proper context, as long-term maintenance of response may yet be influenced by smoking status.

Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is a congenital abnormality that represents ectopic pancreatic tissue that does not have anatomic, vascular, or ductal continuity. The prevalence of HP is 0.55% to 13.7% on autopsy, 0.2% to 0.5% of abdominal operations, and 0.9% of gastrectomies. It is commonly found in the stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum. Only 15 cases have been reported in the medical literature regarding involvement of the esophagus. Treatment depends on symptoms and location. In asymptomatic patients, simple observation may be sufficient; however, in those who are symptomatic, surgery may be warranted. We present a case of a 70-year-old male with heartburn, nausea, and abdominal bloating who underwent a diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and was found to have HP on histology in the distal esophagus. In our case, symptoms were treated conservatively and successfully with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Overshadowed by Sino-pulmonary infections, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) commonly affects gastrointestinal organs because of secretory and motility dysfunction. Infrequently, these changes result in Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome (DIOS), an increasingly diagnosed gastrointestinal entity in adult Cystic Fibrosis patients. We present a case 22-year-old male who presented to our hospital with right lower quadrant abdominal pain with suspicion of acute appendicitis and was subsequently diagnosed as DIOS. Our case highlights the importance of DIOS as one of the differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal pain in a patient with a CF, especially for physicians working at community hospitals which may not have a Cystic Fibrosis care program available.

Autoimmune hepatitis has been associated with chronic HCV infection, but there are only few cases reported of HBV infection as a possible trigger. We present a case of a young male who was diagnosed with acute autoimmune hepatitis superimposed on existent chronic HBV infection. A 30-year-old Hispanic male with no past medical history presented to the hospital with complaints of few days of generalized weakness. Laboratory findings were significant for elevated liver enzymes: AST, 1164 U/L; ALT, 1461 U/L; total bilirubin, 2 MG/DL; and alkaline phosphatase, 75 IU/L. Extensive workup was done to find the etiology for elevated liver enzymes. Only blood work that came back positive was for chronic HBV infection and elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) level 1937 mg/dL. HBV viral load was 42,900,000 IU/mL. The patient was started on tenofovir 300 mg daily. Liver biopsy was done which was consistent with autoimmune hepatitis. Prednisone 60 mg daily was started. Six months later, blood work showed completely normal liver enzymes and total IgG. Hepatotropic viruses have been proposed as triggering factors for several autoimmune diseases. There are theories suggesting that similarity in viral epitope and self-proteins expression on liver cells' surface causes a cross-reactive immunologic response and possible viral-induced autoimmune hepatitis.