Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are immunologically mediated disorders. Several therapies are focused on activated T cells as key targets. Although Lactobacillus kefiri has shown anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, few studies were done using human mucosal T cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of this bacterium on intestinal T cells from patients with active IBD. Mucosal biopsies and surgical samples from IBD adult patients (n = 19) or healthy donors (HC; n = 5) were used. Lamina propria mononuclear cells were isolated by enzymatic tissue digestion, and entero-adhesive Escherichia coli-specific lamina propria T cells (LPTC) were expanded. The immunomodulatory properties of L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 strain were evaluated on biopsies and on anti-CD3/CD28-activated LPTC. Secreted cytokines were quantified by ELISA, and cell proliferation and viability were assessed by flow cytometry. We found that L. kefiri reduced spontaneous release of IL-6 and IL-8 from inflamed biopsies ex vivo. Activated LPTC from IBD patients showed low proliferative rates and reduced secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-13 in the presence of L. kefiri. In addition, L. kefiri induced an increased frequency of CD4+FOXP3+ LPTC along with high levels of IL-10. This is the first report showing an immunomodulatory effect of L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 on human intestinal cells from IBD patients. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between probiotics and immune mucosal cells may open new avenues for treatment and prevention of IBD.

Background and Aim. Treatment adherence is a frequent problem in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). No study has assessed adherence in Argentinian patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to determine inadequate adherence to oral and parenteral therapies in patients with IBD from Argentina and to identify factors associated with it. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study involving seven referral centers from three cities of Argentina was undertaken. Patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), or indeterminate colitis (IBDU/IC) were invited to answer an anonymous survey, which included a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate adherence to therapies. Independent variables associated with inadequate adherence were evaluated. Results. Overall, 447 UC/IBDU and 135 CD patients were enrolled. Median age was 37 years (range 21-72); 39.8% were male; median time from diagnosis was 6 years (0.5-35). 91.4% were under treatment with at least one oral medication; 50.3% of patients reported inadequate adherence to oral medications. Patients with UC/IBDU had a lower risk of inadequate adherence when compared to patients with CD (OR 0.57 (0.37-0.87)). 21.8% reported inadequate adherence to biologics; subcutaneous administration was significantly associated with inadequate adherence to biologics (OR 4.8 (1.57-14.66)). Conclusion. Inadequate treatment adherence is common among patients with IBD, and potentially modifiable factors were identified.

Background Evidence on the adoption of different pharmacologic strategies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the real-world setting in Latin America is scarce. Herein, we describe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies of IBD patients (pts) in Argentina. Methods RISE AR (NCT03488030) was a multicentre, non-interventional study with a cross-sectional evaluation and a 3-year retrospective data collection period conducted in Argentina (12/2018-05/2019) to assess the use of IBD treatments. Adult pts (≥18 years old) with a previous diagnosis of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn′s disease (CD) based on clinical, endoscopic or imaging criteria at least 6 months prior to enrolment, were included. Results Overall, 101 CD and 145 UC pts were included. Median (range) age (years) at enrolment was 39.5 (18.2–74.0) for CD (51.2% female) and 41.9 (18.0–80.4) for UC (55.2% female); median (range) disease duration (years) was 7.4 (0.6–36.9) for CD and 5 (0.7–33.8) for UC. At enrolment, 51.5% of CD pts had colonic involvement, 32.7% ileocolonic, 8.9% ileal, 1% isolated upper tract and 5.9% had combined L4/other. In UC, 46.2% had extensive colitis, 44.7% left-sided colitis and proctitis 9.1%. 51.6% of CD pts had non-inflammatory behaviour (37.7% stricturing; 13.9% penetrating), and 34% had perianal disease (13.9% as B1p), resulting in a total of 65.5% pts with complicated disease. Only 9.3% of CD (Harvey Bradshaw Index ≥8) and 7.7% of UC (partial Mayo Score ≥5) pts showed moderate-to-severe disease activity at enrolment. In CD, 70.3% of pts were receiving a biologic agent vs. 29.7% of UC pts. Immunosuppressant (IMM) use was similar between groups (CD 39.6%, UC 40.0%); nearly one-third of the pts on a biologic were receiving concomitant IMM (CD 33.8%, UC 34.9%). Aminosalicylates (5-ASA) were used for most UC pts (89.0%) vs. 47.5% of CD pts, mainly in those with L2 disease. 5-ASA monotherapy was prescribed in 32.1% of UC vs. 5.3% of CD pts, but were also used with IMM (UC 25%, CD 11%), biologics (UC 15%, CD 11.6%) or all three therapies combined (UC 6.4%, CD 17.9%). Corticosteroids (CS) were the least prescribed therapy (CD 7.9%, UC 13.8%). IBD treatments ever prescribed during the retrospective period were (CD, UC): biologics: 79.2%, 33.8%; IMM: 65.3%, 58.6%; 5-ASA: 62.4%, 97.9%; CS: 55.4%, 69.7%. Conclusion In this cohort of IBD patients, biologics use was high, especially among CD patients, in line with disease behaviour, and possibly by their increased availability in these reference centres. This study also highlights country-specific clinical features such as the low proportion of CD pts and the high prevalence of colonic involvement in CD.

A biloma is a collection of bile located outside the bile duct which occurs as a result of iatrogenic and traumatic injuries. Spontaneous biloma is rare and is associated with choledocholithiasis. Diagnosis is performed using an ultrasound, a computed tomography scan, and a nuclear magnetic resonance scan, and is confirmed by drainage and subsequent biochemical analysis of the fluid sample. The first treatment option is percutaneous drainage, and if not successful, endoscopic biliary drainage should be performed. We report a case of a 46-year-old patient with a spontaneous biloma associated with choledocholithiasis.

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