bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A218 LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES MENINGITIS IN A NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENT WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Ayoub M , Walters T 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is a frequently utilized therapy in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Opportunistic infections are a known but an infrequently encountered complication. Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is an aerobic gram-positive intracellular bacillus. Clinical presentation of infection is host dependent, ranging from self-limited illnesses in immunocompetent individuals to life-threatening sepsis and meningitis in the immunocompromised. TNF plays a crucial role in host’s defense against LM. Although published in adults, few case reports have documented invasive LM in children receiving infliximab (IFX), an anti-TNF agent used in IBD therapy.

Aims
Describe an adolescent with IBD-unclassified (IBD-U) in whom LM sepsis and meningitis was diagnosed after induction therapy with intravenous (IV) IFX.

Methods
Case report and literature review.

Results
A 15-year-old girl presented with 2-week history of progressive abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, urgency, nocturnal stooling, tenesmus, and weight loss. She had been afebrile, with no history of exposures. Examination revealed pallor and tenderness in the right and left lower quadrants. Investigations showed elevated white cell count (WBC), platelets, inflammatory markers, and low albumin. Abdominal ultrasound showed thickening of the descending and sigmoid colon. Stool multiplex PCR was negative. Colonoscopy showed Mayo 3 pancolitis. The terminal ileum was not intubated and endoscopy was normal. She was diagnosed with IBD-U. Due to poor response to high dose IV steroids, IV IFX (after documenting normal vaccination titers) was given with good clinical response and no adverse effects; she was discharged on tapering prednisone. She re-presented 3 days later with fever, severe headaches, photophobia, and neck stiffness. Her IBD remained quiescent. She had consumed a cold meat sandwich 10 days prior. Antibiotics were started as investigations showed leukocytosis and very high inflammatory markers. Brain MRI showed pus in the lateral ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed WBC 1832 x106/L, low glucose, and high protein. Blood and CSF cultures detected LM. She defervesced within 24 hours and completed a 21-day course of Ampicillin monotherapy. 2-month follow up showed IBD in continuous remission on IFX with no neurological sequalae, and a normal brain MRI.

Conclusions
This is the youngest patient with IBD reported with invasive listeriosis secondary to IFX and adds to 3 cases in children. It highlights the importance of vigilance when evaluating IBD patients with fever during IFX-based therapy. Physicians should be reminded of such patients’ immunocompromised state and their high risk of acquiring opportunistic infections. It is unclear if listeriosis avoidance precautions, currently recommended in pregnant women, should be adopted in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy.

Funding Agencies
None
A220 A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF THE RISK OF ADVERSE NEONATAL OUTCOME IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND PREGNANCY
Authors: Leung K , Tandon P , Govardhanam V , Maxwell C , Huang V 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often affects women in their child-bearing years. These women may be at an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes.

Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of these outcomes in this population of patients, with an emphasis of determining risk factors for development of these conditions.

Methods
Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched through to May 2019 for studies reporting adverse neonatal outcomes in IBD patients. Weighted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the risk of these outcomes in patients with IBD compared to healthy controls, with risk factors such as disease activity and medication exposure also being assessed.

Results
Sixty studies were included (8194 pregnancies with inflammatory bowel disease and 3253 healthy pregnancies). Compared to healthy controls, patients with inflammatory bowel disease were more likely to deliver infants with low birth weight (LBW) (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.16–6.66) and infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.83–6.05). Patients with Crohn’s disease had an increased risk of infants born with congenital anomalies (OR 3.03, 95% CI, 1.43–6.42), whereas patients with ulcerative colitis had an increased risk of preterm delivery (OR 2.68, 95% CI, 1.12–6.43). Active disease increased the risk of preterm birth (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21–3.51), LBW (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.54–5.70), and small for gestation age (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.18–5.83) compared to disease in remission. Tumor necrosis factor antagonists was associated with increased risk of NICU admission (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.31–4.45) and LBW (OR 1.54, 95% CI, 1.01–2.35).

Conclusions
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at an increased risk of developing adverse neonatal outcomes such as preterm birth, LBW, congenital anomalies, and NICU admissions. Patients with clinically active disease and those exposed to anti-TNF therapy may be at higher risk of developing these adverse outcomes. The findings of this study are important to communicate to patients and healthcare providers alike. Furthermore, this information may help to mitigate these risks through collaborative specialized care during pregnancy in order to reduce the overall morbidity and mortality for both mother and baby.

Funding Agencies
None
A226 CHILD AND PARENT PERCEPTIONS OF FAECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANT (FMT): QUALITATIVE PERSPECTIVES FROM PARTICIPANTS IN A TRIAL OF FMT FOR PEDIATRIC ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Authors: Popov J , Hartung E , Hill L , Pai N 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is being increasingly studied across a range of therapeutic indications, including ulcerative colitis (UC). Pediatric patients may have unique responses to microbiome-based therapeutics, given their younger age, fewer comorbidities, and greater susceptibility to medication-related side effects.

Aims
We recently conducted the first pilot RCT of FMT in Canada for the treatment of pediatric ulcerative colitis (PediFETCh Trial) and conducted qualitative interviews post-study of participants and their parents. This study aims to describe the experience and perceptions of children who received FMT, and their parents.

Methods
Patients enrolled in the PediFETCh Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02487238) and their parents were invited to participate in face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using open coding (NVivo 12 Pro).

Results
8 patients and 8 parents were interviewed. Our data has been summarized into 4 domains and 11 composite themes (Table 1). Most patients and parents saw FMT as a natural treatment. Pre-treatment, patients were concerned with receiving “someone else’s poo” and physical discomfort, while parents were concerned with transmission of enteric infections or psychiatric diseases. Both felt their decision to pursue FMT was influenced by frustration with previous lack of response to medications and a fear of medication side effects. Post-treatment, most patients and families expressed no concerns over potential future side effects as a result of the FMT, and all patients reported feeling “completely normal”. Patients were split between preferring FMT or medication, with convenience of medication being an important factor, while others favored FMT for its perceived naturality and symptomatic improvements. For most families, natural therapies and diet played an important role in influencing their decision to pursue FMT; however, several parents reported that alternative healthcare practitioners did not support their desire to pursue FMT.

Conclusions
The study offers valuable insights into pediatric patients’ and parents’ experiences receiving FMT across several themes. Our results suggest a high rate of acceptance and interest in FMT research by pediatric patients and their parents. These findings suggest strategies to improve future delivery of FMT in clinical trials, and should support inclusion of children in FMT-based studies.

Funding Agencies
Hamilton Health Sciences New Investigator Fund (2015, Spring); Innovation Fund of the Alternative Funding Plan for the Academic Health Sciences Centres of Ontario (HAH-17-002)
A234 CLINICAL, ENDOSCOPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENT IN COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY DISEASE ASSOCIATED ENTEROPATHY WITH VEDOLIZUMAB
Authors: Akhtar H , Markandey B , Ma C , Nguyen T , Jairath V 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) can be associated with autoimmune manifestations including enteric inflammation and diarrhea. Systemic immunosuppression used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be associated with increased risk of infection in CVID.

Aims
We report a patient with CVID associated intestinal enteropathy who underwent clinical, endoscopic and histological improvement after treatment with vedolizumab (IgG1 monoclonal antibody to α4β7 integrin), as well as a concurrent systematic review (SR) of the literature.

Methods
Case report and systematic literature review. We searched EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, clinialtrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform without language restriction using key words to identify patients with CVID associated enteropathy treated with vedolizumab. Clinical, endoscopic and histological outcomes were extracted and safety data.

Results
A 32-year-old male presented with weight loss, anemia and hypoalbuminemia on a background of chronic diarrhea and recurrent sinus infections. Serology and genetic testing was not consistent with celiac disease. Pan-endoscopy showed complete villous atrophy in the duodenum and biopsies showed and intraepithelial lymphocytosis (IEL) in the duodenum and terminal ileum. CT abdomen showed pan-enteritis with extensive mesenteric lymphadenopathy which were reactive on lymph node excision, as well as bronchiectasis. Pneumococcal vaccination challenge to assess humoral response confirmed CVID. After suboptimal response with steroids and mercaptopurine, treatment was initiated with vedolizumab 300mg IV at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then 8 weekly. This led to normalization of stool frequency, weight gain as well as endoscopic and histological resolution within 6 months of treatment. The SR yielded 101 studies of which 3 case series were identified reporting a total of 7 patients with CVID. In 5 cases there was clinical improvement, 4 reported endoscopic improvement and 3 patients had histologic improvement. No safety concerns associated with vedolizumab were reported.

Conclusions
Vedolizumab, a selective leucocyte inhibitor to the gut, was able to induce either clinical, endoscopic or histological improvement in 8 published cases in the worldwide literature. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether this treatment could be included in the therapeutic armamentarium for this orphan indication.

Funding Agencies
None
A238 FECAL CALPROTECTIN AND CLINICAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS MAY CORRELATE WITH POOR PREGNANCY-RELATED OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Authors: Tandon P , Lee E , Hitz L , Maxwell C , Huang V 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk of developing adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. Though active disease has been associated with these outcomes, the optimal method of disease assessment in these patients remains unknown.

Aims
To determine whether clinical and/or objective disease activity correlates with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with IBD.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the University of Alberta and University of Toronto pregnancy databases to identify patients (age &gt; 18) who underwent routine assessment by a gastroenterologist during any gestational period (first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), and third trimester (T3). Those with at least one fecal calprotectin (FCP) level during pregnancy were included. Active disease was defined clinically (modified Harvey-Bradshaw Index score ≥ 5 or partial Mayo score ≥ 2) or objectively using stool markeres (FCP ≥ 250 ug/g). Pregnancy-related outcomes (maternal, obstetrical, and neonatal) were recorded from obstetrical records. Low-birth weight (LBW) was defined as an infant weight &lt; 2500g at birth. Continuous variables were reported as medians with interquartile ranges (IQR) and compared with nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis tests. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square (x2) test.

Results
A total of 85 patients were included. The median FCP in T1 was significantly higher in patients who underwent emergency C-section (503, IQR 1554.3) compared to those who did not (130, IQR 482) (p=0.03). Similarly, the median FCP in T1 was significantly higher in mothers who delivered an infant with LBW (1511, IQR 579) compared to those whose did not (145, IQR 413) (p=0.049). When active disease was defined only by clinical scores, 25% of those with active disease in T1 had a failed vaginal delivery compared to only 2.9% in remission (p=0.027). Similarly, 12.5% of patients with clinically active disease in T1 delivered an infant with congenital anomalies compared to none in clinical remission (p=0.034). When disease activity was defined objectively, those with a FCP &gt; 250 ug/g in T3 were more likely to have an induced vaginal delivery (43.8%) compared to only 14.3% in those in remission (p=0.03). Finally, when disease activity was defined as a combination of clinical scores and FCP &gt; 250 ug/g, those with active disease in T3 had a trend towards an increased risk of induced vaginal delivery (active: 40.0% vs. remission: 17.0%, p=0.064), chorioamnionitis (active: 6.3% vs. remission: 0%, p=0.081) and congenital anomalies (active: 6.3% vs. remission: 0%, p=0.081).

Conclusions
IBD assessment during pregnancy likely requires a combination of clinical scores and objective markers in order to identify patients at high-risk of developing poor peripartum outcomes.

Funding Agencies
None
A242 EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Authors: Hill L , Faraz M , Hartung E , Popov J , Pai N 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic life-long condition affecting 0.25% of the North American population. Childhood onset IBD is particularly aggressive, with disease often characterised by poor growth, severe unpredictable abdominal pain and frequent school absences. Treatment involves lifelong medications, which do not always resolve symptoms and carry increased cumulative risks of infections, malignancy, or other adverse effects. Exercise has been suggested as a method of ameliorating some of the symptoms associated with IBD. To date, few studies have investigated the role of exercise and physical activity in paediatric IBD patients.

Aims
We conducted a systematic review assessing the role of exercise and physical activity in paediatric IBD.

Methods
This Level III systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. An electronic database search of Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane used the search terms “(physical activity or exercise), (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), and (children or paediatric)”. Of the 1458 articles identified during the two rounds of review, only 21 articles met final inclusion criteria.

Results
Three main themes emerged from the review: 1) prescriptive exercise and physical activity ameliorated symptoms IBD and improved physical well-being, 2) patients who actively engage in exercise and physical activity show improved markers of inflammation and decreased future risk of disease, 3) exercise and physical activity improves the mental health and well-being of paediatric IBD patients. The results recommended 30–60 minutes, 6 times per week of mild to moderate aerobic exercise activity. It was noted that vigorous and high intensity exercise was well-tolerated by most IBD patients. Further, exercise prescription should be tailored to individual needs.

Conclusions
Exercise and physical activity improves mental and physical health and well-being of paediatric IBD patients, including decreasing the risk of future disease exacerbation in patients with mild to moderate disease activity. Clinicians and practitioners should consider actively prescribing exercise and physical activity to IBD patients as part of a standard treatment algorithm.

Funding Agencies
None
A243 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN CLINICAL REMISSION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Nazarian A , Bishay K , Gholami R , Scaffidi M A , Khan R , Cohen-Lyons D , Griller N , Satchwell J B , Baker J , Irvine E J , Grover S C 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a substantial burden on quality of life (QoL). Functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as depression and anxiety are more common in patients with IBD as compared with the general population. Although poorer QoL is correlated with IBS, depression and anxiety in individuals with IBD at times of IBD diagnosis and disease activity, it is unclear what, if any, impact these may have on overall quality of life at times of disease remission.

Aims
We aimed to identify factors associated with poor QoL among Canadian patients with IBD in clinical remission.

Methods
We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study to determine whether fatigue, depression, anxiety and IBS were associated with lower QoL in patients with IBD in clinical remission. We enrolled patients at a single academic tertiary care center with inactive IBD. All eligible patients completed a series of questionnaires that included questions on demographics, disease activity, anxiety, depression, and the presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Stool samples for fecal calprotectin (FC) were also collected to assess for subclinical inflammation. The primary outcome measure was QoL assessed by the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ), with planned subgroup comparisons for fatigue, anxiety, depression and IBS symptoms.

Results
Ninety-three patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. The median SIBDQ scores were lower in patients with anxiety (P&lt;0.001), depression (P=0.004), IBS symptoms (P&lt;0.001), and fatigue (P=0.018).

Conclusions
In this cross-sectional study, we found that anxiety, depression, fatigue, and IBS-like symptoms were all independently associated with lower QoL among patients with inactive IBD. Importantly, subclinical inflammation as defined by a positive fecal calprotectin in the absence of clinical symptoms did not have an adverse effect on QoL. The findings of this study suggest that patients with IBD would likely benefit from screening for depression, anxiety, fatigue and IBS. Further research is warranted to determine if targeted treatment of these conditions, specifically in patients with quiescent IBD would lead to improved outcomes.

Funding Agencies
None
A249 FREQUENCY AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS
Authors: Lytvyak E , Dieleman L A , Montano-Loza A J 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Previous studies suggested that patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have poorer outcomes; however, the significance of this association is limited.

Aims
To describe the phenotype of AIH-associated IBD and assess the impact of IBD on the response to treatment and risk of adverse liver outcomes in patients with AIH.

Methods
In our retrospective cohorts, we identified patients with concomitant diagnoses of IBD and a definite AIH. The comparison cohort consisted of AIH patients matched by gender, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, and time to follow-up. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to assess differences. Univariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results
We identified a total of 16 patients (9 males, 56.3%) with AIH-associated IBD from a cohort of 6006 IBD patients (0.27%) and 357 AIH patients (4.5%). All patients were Caucasians. Twelve patients (75.0%) had ulcerative colitis with a pancolonic extent; 4 (25.0%) – Crohn’s disease: one patient had ileitis, three – ileocolitis with one having stricturing and fistulising gastroduodenal, ileocolonic and perianal disease. The median age at IBD diagnosis was 26.5 years old and varied from 2 to 53. The age at AIH diagnosis ranged from 7 to 59 years old (median 21.1) and median follow-up time was 11.1 years ranging from 11 days to 35.2 years.
The matching cohort of 113 AIH-IBD- patients was comparable to the AIH-IBD+ cohort by gender (44 males, 38.9%; p=0.188), age at diagnosis (median 28.4, IQR 32; p=0.442), ethnicity, and the follow-up time (median 8.7 years, IQR 10.2; p=0.764). There was no difference in AST, ALT and ALP at diagnosis.
Complete response rates were similar in AIH-IBD+ and AIH-IBD- groups (50.0% vs. 53.1%; p=0.816). The risk of developing cirrhosis and a median time to its onset did not differ significantly: 28.6% vs. 31.0% (p=0.853) and 11.8 vs. 8.2 years (p=0.359), respectively. In univariate Cox regression, IBD was not a predictor of progression to cirrhosis (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.13–1.50; p=0.192). The risk of developing decompensation and a median time was also comparable between groups: 21.4% vs. 33.0% (p=0.384) and 18.4 vs. 9.8 years (p=0.053), supported by the Cox regression analysis (HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.13–1.48; p=0.187). The presence of IBD was not associated with higher need in liver transplant (18.8% vs. 30.1%; p=0.348), median time was slightly shorter (1.48 vs. 4.73 years; p=0.542), also evidenced by Cox regression (HR 1.40; 95% CI 0.42–4.65; p=0.578). The risk of liver-related death was also not different among the two groups (6.3% vs. 4.4%; p=0.746), and IBD was not a predictor of it (HR 1.94; 95% CI 0.17–21.69; p=0.589).

Conclusions
The presence of IBD in patients with AIH is rare and do not identify a subgroup of patients with worse response to treatment or poor clinical outcomes.

Funding Agencies
AbbVie