The Intestinal Microbiota Contributes to the Ability of Helminths to Modulate Allergic Inflammation.

Intestinal helminths are potent regulators of their host's immune system and can ameliorate inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. In the present study we have assessed whether this anti-inflammatory activity was purely intrinsic to helminths, or whether it also involved crosstalk with the local microbiota. We report that chronic infection with the murine helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hpb) altered the intestinal habitat, allowing increased short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Transfer of the Hpb-modified microbiota alone was sufficient to mediate protection against allergic asthma. The helminth-induced anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion and regulatory T cell suppressor activity that mediated the protection required the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)-41. A similar alteration in the metabolic potential of intestinal bacterial communities was observed with diverse parasitic and host species, suggesting that this represents an evolutionary conserved mechanism of host-microbe-helminth interactions.

Tabagisme et système digestif: une relation complexe. Partie 2: Microbiote intestinal et tabagisme [Smoking and digestive tract: a complex relationship. Part 2: Intestinal microblota and cigarette smoking].

Le système digestif est colonisé dès la naissance par une population bactérienne, le microbiote, qui influence le développement du système immunitaire. Des modifications dans sa composition sont associées à des pathologies comme l'obésité et les maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l'intestin. Outre les antibiotiques, des facteurs environnementaux comme le tabagisme semblent aussi avoir une influence sur la composition de la flore intestinale, pouvant en partie expliquer la prise de poids à l'arrêt du tabac avec une modification de la composition du microbiote proche de celle observée chez des personnes obèses (profil microbiotique montrant des capacités accrues d'extraction calorique des aliments ingérés). Ces découvertes permettent d'imaginer de nouvelles approches diagnostiques et thérapeutiques via la régulation de ce microbiome. The digestive tract is colonized from birth by a bacterial population called the microbiota which influences the development of the immune system. Modifications in its composition are associated with problems such as obesity or inflammatory bowel diseases. Antibiotics are known to influence the intestinal microbiota but other environmental factors such as cigarette smoking also seem to have an impact on its composition. This influence might partly explain weight gain which is observed after smoking cessation. Indeed there is a modification of the gut microbiota which becomes similar to that of obese people with a microbiotical profile which is more efficient to extract calories from ingested food. These new findings open new fields of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches through the regulation of the microbiota.

Avaliação da concordância entre a ultrassonografia transvaginal e a ressonância magnética da pelve na endometriose profunda, com ênfase para o comprometimento intestinal

OBJETIVO: Comparar achados ultrassonográficos e de ressonância magnética na endometriose profunda, com ênfase para o comprometimento intestinal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Dezoito pacientes entre 23 e 49 anos de idade, com suspeita clínica e exame ginecológico sugestivo de endometriose profunda, foram submetidas a ultrassonografia e ressonância magnética para correlação dos achados. RESULTADOS: A ultrassonografia detectou 40 lesões e a ressonância magnética detectou 53 lesões na pelve. O estudo comparativo entre ultrassonografia e ressonância magnética na detecção das lesões não mostrou diferença estatística significativa (p > 0,19 e p > 0,14, respectivamente). Considerando-se a junção retossigmoide, a ressonância magnética detectou uma lesão (5,6%) e a ultrassonografia apontou quatro lesões (22,2%). Nas lesões retais, a ultrassonografia apontou oito lesões (44,4%) e a ressonância magnética, sete lesões (38,9%). CONCLUSÃO: A concordância entre a ressonância magnética e a ultrassonografia não foi boa na junção retossigmoide e no reto, sendo que a ultrassonografia detectou um número maior de lesões nessas localizações, mas identificou número menor de lesões na pelve. Na análise comparativa global entre os dois métodos na detecção das lesões não houve diferença estatística significativa. O baixo custo, a boa tolerabilidade e o fácil acesso tornam a ultrassonografia instrumento diagnóstico valioso na endometriose profunda.

Mechanisms involved in down-regulation of intestinal IgA in rats by high cocoa intake

Previous studies have shown that rat intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration and lymphocyte composition of the intestinal immune system were influenced by a highly enriched cocoa diet. The aim of this study was to dissect the mechanisms by which a long-term high cocoa intake was capable of modifying gut secretory IgA in Wistar rats. After 7 weeks of nutritional intervention, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and the small intestine were excised for gene expression assessment of IgA, transforming growth factor ß, C-C chemokine receptor-9 (CCR9), interleukin (IL)-6, CD40, retinoic acid receptors (RAR¿ and RARß), C-C chemokine ligand (CCL)-25 and CCL28 chemokines, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and toll-like receptors (TLR) expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction. As in previous studies, secretory IgA concentration decreased in intestinal wash and fecal samples after cocoa intake. Results from the gene expression showed that cocoa intake reduced IgA and IL¿6 in Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, whereas in small intestine, cocoa decreased IgA, CCR9, CCL28, RAR¿ and RARß. Moreover, cocoa-fed animals presented an altered TLR expression pattern in the three compartments studied. In conclusion, a high-cocoa diet down-regulated cytokines such as IL-6, which is required for the activation of B cells to become IgA-secreting cells, chemokines and chemokine receptors, such as CCL28 and CCR9 together with RAR¿ and RARß, which are involved in the gut homing of IgA-secreting cells. Moreover, cocoa modified the cross-talk between microbiota and intestinal cells as was detected by an altered TLR pattern. These overall effects in the intestine may explain the intestinal IgA down-regulatory effect after the consumption of a long-term cocoa-enriched diet.

Spermiogenesis and spermatozoon ultrastructure of the dilepidid cestode Molluscotaenia crassiscolex (von Linstow, 1890), an intestinal parasite of the common shrew Sorex araneus

Spermiogenesis in Molluscotaenia crassiscolex begins with the formation of a differentiation zone containing two centrioles. One of the centrioles develops a flagellum directly into the cytoplasmic extension. The nucleus elongates and later migrates along the spermatid body. During advanced stages of spermiogenesis, a periaxonemal sheath appears in the spermatid. Spermiogenesis finishes with the appearance of a single helicoidal crested body at the base of the spermatid and, finally, the narrowing of the ring of arched membranes causes the detachment of the fully formed spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon of M. crassiscolex exhibits a partially detached crested body in the anterior region of the spermatozoon, one axoneme, twisted cortical microtubules, a periaxonemal sheath, and a spiralled nucleus. The anterior spermatozoon extremity is characterized by the presence of an electron-dense apical cone and a single spiralled crested body, which is attached to the sperm cell in the anterior and posterior areas of region I, whereas in the middle area it is partially detached from the cell. This crested body is described for the first time in cestodes. The posterior extremity of the male gamete exhibits only the disorganizing axoneme. Results are discussed and compared particularly with the available ultrastructural data on dilepidids sensu lato.

Irrigación de un estoma intestinal

Definición: Introducción de un volumen determinado de líquido a través de un estoma situado en el colon descendente o sigmoideo. Objetivo: Distender el intestino para estimular el peristaltismo y conseguir la eliminación de heces, gases o moco, ya sea para realizar pruebas exploratorias o para ayudar a establecer un patrón de evacuación regular. Material: Irrigador con la solución...

Rôle de la chirurgie laparoscopique dans le traitement de la maladie de reflux gastro-oesophagien [Laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease]

Un certain nombre de malades ne sont toujours pas soulagés de manière satisfaisante par le traitement médical de la maladie de de reflux gastro-oesophagien (MR). Ce travail rapport notre expérience de 55 malades ayant bénéficié d'un montage anti-reflux réalisé par laparoscopie entre février 1992 et février 1997. La durée opératoire moyenne a été de 181 minutes, et tend à diminuer. La médiane de s&jour postopératoire a été de 4 jours. Quatre-vingt-neuf pour-cent des malades ont eu un suivi complet de 2 à 62 mois. Nonante-deux pour-cent d'entre eux étaient satisfaits ou très satisfaits du résultat. L'enthousiasme lié au traitement laparoscopique de la MR est justifié. Les résultats dépendent de la maîtrise technique du chirurgien, de sa connaissance de la MR, et de ses capacités à adapter le type de montage anti-reflux en fonction de l'évaluation préopératoire. L'intervention donne alors un résultat prévisible, ce qui incite à la proposer aux malades mal contrôlés médicalement, ou qui préfèrent éviter les contraintes d'un traitement de maintien à long terme.

Avaliação e seguimento de pacientes adultos com síndrome do intestino curto pelo exame contrastado de trânsito intestinal

A síndrome do intestino curto é definida pela incapacidade da superfície do intestino delgado em manter as condições adequadas de absorção de nutrientes, ocasionando deficiências nutricionais. Em adultos, as principais causas de síndrome do intestino curto são as ressecções cirúrgicas amplas ou múltiplas, secundárias a infarto mesentérico, doença de Crohn e enterite actínica. Além de avaliar o tempo de trânsito até o intestino grosso, o exame contrastado de trânsito intestinal pode ser utilizado na medição da extensão do intestino remanescente e no acompanhamento dos fenômenos de adaptação estrutural das alças delgadas e colônicas. Em pacientes com síndrome do intestino curto, a adaptação estrutural do intestino delgado consiste na hiperplasia das vilosidades e das pregas mucosas, que se tornam mais numerosas, profundas e de maior diâmetro, assim como a dilatação do segmento remanescente. Esses achados morfológicos são mais pronunciados e bem estabelecidos nas alças ileais, evidenciando sua maior capacidade adaptativa. O conhecimento dos achados por imagem das características morfológicas e adaptativas do intestino delgado é de grande importância na abordagem multidisciplinar da síndrome do intestino curto.

Multidetector-row computed tomography in the preoperative diagnosis of intestinal complications caused by clinically unsuspected ingested dietary foreign bodies: a case series emphasizing the use of volume rendering techniques

Objective The present study was aimed at describing a case series where a preoperative diagnosis of intestinal complications secondary to accidentally ingested dietary foreign bodies was made by multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT), with emphasis on complementary findings yielded by volume rendering techniques (VRT) and curved multiplanar reconstructions (MPR). Materials and Methods The authors retrospectively assessed five patients with surgically confirmed intestinal complications (perforation and /or obstruction) secondary to unsuspected ingested dietary foreign bodies, consecutively assisted in their institution between 2010 and 2012. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data were analyzed. VRT and curved MPR were subsequently performed. Results Preoperative diagnosis of intestinal complications was originally performed in all cases. In one case the presence of a foreign body was not initially identified as the causal factor, and the use of complementary techniques facilitated its retrospective identification. In all cases these tools allowed a better depiction of the entire foreign bodies on a single image section, contributing to the assessment of their morphology. Conclusion Although the use of complementary techniques has not had a direct impact on diagnostic performance in most cases of this series, they may provide a better depiction of foreign bodies' morphology on a single image section.

Le reflux gastro-oesophagien de l'enfant: indications chirurgicales, techniques et suivi.

Contexte: Présent sous forme physiologique chez environ 60% des nourrissons normaux de moins de quatre mois, le reflux gastro-oesophagien (RGO) n'est symptomatique que chez 10% d'entre eux. Il est également plus fréquent chez les enfants atteints de troubles neurologiques quelque soit leur âge. Non traité, il peut avoir des conséquences graves (oesophagite, sténose peptique, endobrachyoesophage (Barrett) puis adénocarcinome de l'oesophage). Il s'agit donc d'un problème qu'il faut savoir détecter et traiter précocement. Les signes et symptômes du RGO sont multiples et varient en fonction de l'âge. Ils ne se limitent pas au seul vomissement. Le traitement initial du RGO chez l'enfant est médical. En cas d'échec de celui-ci ou dans certaines indications (comme les RGO récidivants, les malformations congénitales, les anomalies morphologiques ou les pathologies neurologiques) un traitement chirurgical est nécessaire. L'évolution des traitements conservateurs et des techniques chirurgicales lors de ces dernières années en font un bon sujet pour une étude rétrospective. Objectif: Le but de cette étude est de mettre en évidence dans une population d'enfants ayant bénéficié d'une cure chirurgicale anti-reflux la fréquence relative des symptômes selon la pathologie initiale de l'enfant, puis de préciser le choix de traitement et sa durée. Nous analyserons également les risques d'échec qui s'y rapportent. Ces conclusions devraient nous permettre de proposer un algorithme décisionnel de prise en charge du RGO de l'enfant en pré et post-opératoire. Méthodologie: Étude rétrospective sur 9 ans se basant sur les dossiers médicaux-chirurgicaux de 132 enfants opérés d'un reflux gastro-oesophagien dans le Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) par le Professeur Olivier Reinberg et son équipe entre le 1er janvier 2003 et le 31 décembre 2012. Résultats: Sur les 132 enfants, 93 ont bénéficié d'une fundoplicature selon Toupet, 34 selon Nissen et 5 selon Dor. 57% des enfants présentant un déficit neurologique ont été opérés selon la technique de Nissen contre 7% des enfants "sains". Les taux de démontage et de récidive sont respectivement 5.4% et 3.5 % pour la technique selon Toupet et 2.9% et 0% pour la technique de Nissen. Le taux de démontage global de la fundoplicature est de 4.6% (N=6) Conclusions: La fundoplicature est une méthode de choix pour les enfants chez qui tous les autres traitements ont échoué ou chez qui la présence concomitante du RGO et des comorbidités est délétère à une croissance harmonieuse. Grâce à la chirurgie, la qualité de vie d'au moins 95% des enfants est grandement améliorée après la disparition de symptômes quotidiens et qui peuvent donner lieu à des complications graves.

Loss of intestinal epithelial barrier function in Salmonella Enteritidis infection

Intestinal infection with Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, a food-borne infection spread to humans especially through contaminated eggs and egg-products as well as undercooked contaminated fresh meat, is the most common cause of intestinal inflammation in the European Union. Enteritis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis is characterized by fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier function contributes to diarrhoea and is responsible for the perpetuation of the inflammatory process. In this sense, oxidative stress and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β are described to induce the disorganization of the tight junctions (TJ), the most apical epithelial intercellular junctions and responsible for the paracellular permeability. The interest of this chapter relies not only in the investigation dealing with the mechanisms of TJ regulation but also in the contribution to the development of new tools for the prevention of epithelial barrier disruption in enteritis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis.