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Background Eosinophils have been identified as cells that promote immune cell infiltration in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Activation of eosinophils causes degranulation, which can lead to tissue damage due to the release of toxic oxygen radicals, including eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP). The potential role of eosinophils in inflammation and fibrosis in patients with IBD remains relevant. Purpose of the study to study the effect of changes in the level of eosinophilic cationic protein on the activity of the course of inflammatory bowel diseases. Methods The study was conducted from January 2016 to April 2022, among 400 patients with IBD (MC 12 patients, women 8, men 4; UC 150 patients, women 71, men 79; CD 238 patients, women 120, men 118). Patients underwent endoscopy with biopsy sampling for pathomorphological examination, as well as laboratory blood tests (general blood count, h/s CRP, homocysteine, vitamin D, ANCA-parameters, α-THF and IL-1β, IL-4, IL -8, IL-10, IL-18, total protein, albumin, iron, ferritin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), İgE; urinalysis and urinary albumin; fecal analysis and fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin. Results In 250 patients (62.5%) with a poor response to basic therapy, a study was conducted on ECP and in 69 cases (27.6%) the result was positive, the number of positive endoscopic manifestations was 190 (76%), the number of patients with a positive pathological conclusion for the presence of eosinophils in the biopsy material (more than 30-35 eosinophils per field of view) - 95 (38%), the number of patients with concomitant allergic diseases - 14 (5.6% / 20.2%). The level of EPC fluctuated within 29-228 ng/mL (N<24 ng/mL). Indicators for the studied parameters are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Changes in activity in some laboratory, endoscopic and pathological parameters During the follow-up in the group of patients with elevated levels of eosinophilic cationic protein for 6-24 months, some changes occurred: new cases of fibrosis appeared in patients with CD, as well as cases of non-response to basic therapy and, as an outcome, cases of surgical interventions in patients with ulcerative colitis (Diagram 1). Diagram 1. Outcome of patients with elevated EPC levels Conclusion The increase in the level of ECP in the study group of patients was 27.6% and correlated with higher rates both in laboratory and in endoscopic and morphological activity of IBD. The study of the increase in ECP is of interest in the context of the "non-response" marker to basic therapy in IBD and in the search for new targets for treatment.

Background The problem of opportunistic infections in IBD remains one of the most pressing issues in the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. Particular attention among opportunistic infections in IBD is given to cytomegalovirus infection(CMV), the Epstein-Barr virus(EBV). Aim: To assess the frequency of detection of CMV and EBV in biopsies taken from the mucous membranes of the proximal gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in patients with IBD who underwent COVID-19. Methods 72 patients with CD(40 w/32 m) and 69 patients with UC(39 m/30 w) who underwent COVID-19, in whom CMV and EBV were not previously detected, were examined. The age of the patients was from 18 to 62 years(39.4±2.7). All patients(p.) underwent a standard endoscopic examination(EE), disease activity was assessed in accordance with the ECCO regulations; the determination of CMV and EBV was carried out by PCR in biopsies of mucous membranes from the proximal GIT. Results EE in 27 p.with CD revealed deeper and more widespread ulcerative lesions of the gastric mucosa(CMV+11 p.40.7%/15.3%;EBV+12 p.44.4%/16.7 %;CMV and EBV+4 p.14.8%/5.5%), in 16 p.similar changes were detected in the esophagus(CMV+7 p.43.7%/9.7%,EBV+6 p.37.5%/8.3%;CMV and EBV+3 p.18.7%/4.2%),in 49 p.in the duodenal region(CMV+17 p.34.7%/23.6 %,EBV+23 p.46.9%/31.9%;CMV and EBV+9 p.18.4%/12.5%). EE with UC revealed deeper and more widespread ulcerative lesions of the gastric mucosa in 29 p. (CMV+12 p.41.4%/17.4%;EBV+13 p.44.8%/18.8%; CMV and EBV+4 p.3.8%/5.8%),in 19 p. similar changes were detected in the esophagus(CMV+9 p.47.7%/13.1%,EBV+6 p.31.6%/8.7%;CMV and EBV+4 p.21.1%/5.8%),in 44 p. in the duodenal region(CMV+17 p.38.6%/24.6%,EBV+23 p. 52.3%/33.3%;CMV and EBV+4 p.9.1%/5.8%). Thus, in patients with CD, when determining CMV in biopsy materials by PCR,an isolated positive result(48.6%) was obtained in 35 cases,for EBV(isolated)-41 cases(56.9%), in 16 pat. a combined lesion of CMV and EBV was revealed(22.2%); the localization of lesions was dominated by the duodenal region(68.1%),the stomach (37.5%)and the esophagus(22.2%). In patients with UC, when determining CMV in biopsy materials by PCR,an isolated positive result(55.1%) was obtained in 38 cases,for EBV(isolated)-42 cases(60.7%),in 12 pat. a combined damage to CMV and EBV(17.4%); the localization of lesions was dominated by the duodenal region(63.8%),the stomach(42%) and the esophagus(27.5%). The clinical and endoscopic picture indicates a more severe course of IBD in the presence of herpes viruses detected by PCR examination of biopsies taken from the mucous membranes of the proximal GIT. Conclusion The findings allow us to recommend the need for more thorough inspection during endoscopy in patients with IBD who have undergone COVID-19.

Background Early diagnosis of tuberculosis remains challenging due to the nonspecific clinical manifestations that can mimic other gastrointestinal diseases and range from acute to chronic abdominal disease. In recent decades, latent tuberculosis (LTI) has been of particular interest. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk of contracting tuberculosis. Aim to identify the incidence of LTI in patients with IBD and its effect on the clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and morphological activity of IBD. Methods The study included 350 patients with IBD, who were monitored and a group of patients (188 people (UC = 80, CD = 101, MC = 7) who did not respond / or poorly respond to basic IBD therapy were identified. In this group, the determination of the quantiferon test was carried out. To achieve this goal, two main hypotheses were considered: assessment of IBD-associated and systemic vascular lesions (h/s CRP, platelet count, homocysteine, vit D, urine albumin, fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin; α-TNF, IL-1,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-18; endoscopic examination with pathomorphological assessment), assessment of changes in the thickness of the vascular intima and blood flow velocity (based on the doppler determination of the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the thickness of the intima media (CIMT) on the common carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries). Results The number of positive responses to the quantiferon test was found in 37 patients (19.7%) / 10.6%) out of 188 patients (53.7%); positive skin tests (Mantoux reaction) ≥5 mm in 78 (22.3%) patients; altered peritoneal lymph nodes in 28 (8%), pulmonary and pleural TB in 9 (2.57%) patients. There were no patients with intestinal TB / “+” TB PCR in the gastrointestinal tract tissue. The prevalence of positive cases according to the quantiferon test was: in the general group of patients - 10.6%. Laboratory indicators for both IBD and systemic vascular lesions were higher in the group of patients with latent tuberculosis (Table 1, Table 2). Damage to the vascular bed (based on doppler determination of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and intimal thickness (CIMT) on the common carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries) was more pronounced in the group of patients with latent tuberculosis (CIMT (mm) 0.68 ± 0, 1 / 0.67 ± 0.2; PWV (sm / s) 93.3 ± 2.2 / 97.2 ± 1.4). Conclusion Conclusion. Comparing the results of the data before and after the treatment of latent TB in patients with IBD, certain dependences of the influence of infection on the course of IBD (h/s CRP, platelet levels, homocysteine, fecal calprotetin and lactoferrin, IL-8 and a decreased vit. D; changes, associated with damage to the vascular bed), endoscopic and morphological activity.