Aims-To determine whether inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with pathogenic or enteroadherent Escherichia coli. Methods-A least two stool specimens and one rectal biopsy were taken from 30 patients with IBD and from 20 controls. A large number of E coli-like colonies cultured from each stool sample and biopsy was tested, using DNA probes, for the presence of genes encoding shiga-like toxins, invasiveness, attachmenteffacement and the ability to adhere to HEp-2 cells. Similarity among isolates from stool samples and rectal biopsies was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Results-Enterohaemorrhagic and enteroinvasive E coli were not found in samples from either patients or controls. No significant difference in the detection rate of enteroadherent E coli between patients and controls was found. Rectal biopsies from 11 of 28 patients with IBD and 4 of 18 controls contained E coli, which hybridised with probes for detection of genes encoding diffuse adherence to HEp-2 cells, or encoding P-pili (p = 0.2). Enteroadherent E coli isolated from two or three stool specimens from the same patient or control appeared to be identical by RAPD analysis, and are considered to be residents in the colon. Probe positive isolates obtained from stool specimens and corresponding rectal biopsies were always identical on RAPD analysis. Conclusions-E coli strains possessing adherence factors reside in the large intestine and adhere to the rectal mucosa, irrespective of the presence of colitis. (3 Clin Pathol 1997;50:573-579)

The current pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues affecting millions of people worldwide. Various cardiovascular manifestations have been associated with COVID-19 but only a few case reports of Brugada syndrome in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 were published. The diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment remain a challenge and represent a concern in terms of management in this population. We describe a case of a 66-year-old patient with COVID-19 presenting a coved type-1 Brugada pattern in electrocardiogram. Drug challenge was performed for the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome and electrophysiological study for risk stratification.

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Introduction: To report the clinical course of a Chagas’s disease patient with severe intestinal failure after resection of the total colon and terminal ileum.Case Report: The patient underwent rectosigmoidectomy (of the sigmoid volvulus, December 2009) and total colectomy plus partial ileectomy (May 2011). Patient evolved with multiple hospitalizations caused by severe diarrhea (up to 23 stools/day), hydroelectrolyte disturbance and acute renal failure, severe protein-energy malnutrition [loss of 34.9% of usual body weight (uBW)], and multiple episodes of sepsis. Were prescribed parenteral nutrition solutions exclusively or concurrently with very small volumes (e.g., 40ml/day) of semi-elemental diet with low fat and high protein. After several weeks predetermined amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods (potatoes, rice, pasta, cassava), vegetables (chayote, carrots), low-fat meat, cream crackers, coconut water and fruit (watermelon, melon, banana) were progressively introduced. After 36 months, the patient was metabolically stable (BW=67.2 kg, weight recovery of 23.6 kg), with hydroelectrolytic balance. Due to the recovery of the functional capacity, the patient was advised to return to his work activities. Conclusions: Chagas’s disease patient submitted to intestinal resection may have severe intestinal failure and protein-energy malnutrition. Specialized nutritional therapy and clinical and laboratory monitoring by a multidisciplinary team, can contribute to better prognostic.