The ability to distinguish allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) recipients at risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation from those who are not is central for optimal CMV management strategies. Interferon γ (IFN-γ) produced by CMV-challenged T cells may serve as an immune marker differentiating these 2 populations. We prospectively monitored 63 CMV-seropositive allo-HCT recipients with a CMV-specific enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and for CMV infection from the period before transplantation to day 100 after transplantation. Assay results above certain thresholds (50 spots per 250 000 cells for immediate early 1 or 100 spots per 250 000 cells for phosphoprotein 65) identified patients who were protected against CMV infection as long as they had no graft-versus-host disease and/or were not receiving systemic corticosteroids. Based on the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, the only significant factor for preventing CMV reactivation was a CMV-specific ELISPOT response above the determined thresholds (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, .05–.97; P = .046). Use of this assay as an additional tool for managing allo-HCT recipients at risk for CMV reactivation needs further validation in future studies. Application of this new approach may reduce the duration and intensity of CMV monitoring and the duration of prophylaxis or treatment with antiviral agents in those who have achieved CMV-specific immune reconstitution.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis assessing the efficacy and predictors of success of endoscopic therapy in the management of patients with pancreas divisum.MethodsAn electronic database search (PubMed and ScienceDirect) was performed for relevant studies. Studies were selected based on predefined criteria and data were extracted on patient population, follow up, endotherapy methods, success rates and complication rates. A random-effect model was used to pool the effect size across studies. Heterogeneity testing and publication bias assessment were performed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of successful endoscopic therapy.ResultsOf 381 articles reviewed, 23 studies with 874 patients met the inclusion criteria. All were case series with suboptimal quality. Endoscopic therapy included minor papilla sphincterotomy, minor papilla sphincteroplasty and dorsal duct stenting. Mean follow-up duration was 37 months. The rate of “improvement” as defined by authors after endoscopic therapy varied significantly across studies, ranging from 31-96%: 589/874 patients were reported to have improved, corresponding to a pooled efficacy rate of 67.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.610-0.734; P=0.0001). The pooled rate of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 10.1% (95%CI 0.084-0.124; 2-sided P=0.0001). On subgroup analysis, patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis had better endoscopic outcomes (pooled efficacy rate 76%, 95%CI 0.712-0.803, P=0.0001). Dorsal duct stenting and longer follow up were the only parameters predictive of successful endotherapy. Significant heterogeneity was observed within and across studies.ConclusionsEndoscopic efficacy in pancreas divisum is estimated at 67.5%. Available studies are of poor quality with significant heterogeneity. Comparative studies with rigorous methodology are needed.

Background Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown excellent efficacy in treating Clostridioides difficile infection, as well as promise in several other diseases. The heightened interest is accompanied by concerns over adverse events (AE) and safety. To further understand that in FMT, we performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of high-quality, prospective randomized controlled trials FMT. Methods Studies were selected based on predefined exclusion criteria and were assessed for quality. Only prospective, randomized, controlled studies of high quality were included in the final analysis. Data were extracted on demographics, AE, indication, delivery method and follow-up duration. Results Out of 334 articles reviewed, 9 high quality studies with 756 FMTs were selected for final analysis. The pooled rate of AE was 39.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19-0.642) as they were reported by 112 patients who received FMT. The SAE rate was 5.3% (95%CI 3.1-8.8%). The most common AE reported was abdominal pain, followed by diarrhea. The most common SAE was Clostridium difficile infection. Upper gastrointestinal tract delivery was associated with a higher rate of total AE, but not SAE. Conclusions Based on the selected studies, the AE rate of FMT is 39.3%, with most AE being mild and self-limiting. SAE were uncommon at 5.3%, and many were only possibly related to the FMT. Adherence to standardized reporting of AE as well as longitudinal studies and registries will help further clarify the safety of FMT in the future.

Background and Aims Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are often prescribed opioids chronically to manage pain associated with their disease. However, little evidence exists to support this practice. Here, we examine newly diagnosed patients with CD with and without chronic opioid use (COU) and sought to identify predictors and consequences of COU. Methods A nationally representative administrative health care claims that data set identified newly diagnosed patients with CD. Their data were examined during the periods 6 months before and 2 years after diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess predictors of COU at diagnosis. Results The final study cohort consisted of 47,164 patients with CD. Of them, 3.8% were identified with new COU. Chronic opioid users were more likely women, older, and likely who had more surgeries, endoscopies, admissions, and medication usage compared with other patients. Features detected before CD diagnosis that correlated with COU after diagnosis included previous opioid use (odds ratio [OR] = 6.6), chronic pain (OR = 1.36), arthritis (OR = 1.95), and mental disorders (OR = 1.58). Interestingly, emergency department visits before CD Dx increased the risk of COU (OR = 1.11), whereas endoscopy reduced COU risk (OR = 0.88). Conclusions This study presents a nationally representative assessment of COU in newly diagnosed patients with CD. The results may be used to determine the impact of COU in this population and to alert clinicians to those patients with CD at high risk of COU. Chronic opioids are consistently associated with indicators of more severe disease; however, additional research is needed to determine whether COU drives disease severity or vice versa.

Presented in part: IDWeek 2014; Philadelphia, PA; October 8-12, 2014 (Poster 1120).

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INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are chronically prescribed narcotics for chronic relapsing abdominal pain. We previously reported that emergency room (ER) visits in IBD patients increase the risk for chronic opioid use (COU - defined as 90 days of opioid use in a 6-month period) (Pauley et al Infl Bowel Dis 2017). Here we examine if referral to addiction medicine therapy reduces opioid prescriptions as well as ER visits. METHODS: IBD patients seen in the University of Kentucky out-patient GI clinic between January 2013 and November 2018 with COU were identified. Referrals to addiction medicine were identified by ICD 9/10 billing codes. EMRs of all study patients were retrospectively examined to collect data. Paired samples t-test was performed for outcomes 1 yr before and after addiction medicine consultation. All the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25 software; an alpha level of .05 was used throughout. RESULTS: During the 6-yr period, 2296 IBD patients on narcotics were identified. Among those 77 patients received addiction medicine referral, 36 patients complied. Mean age of the study population was 43 yrs. ER visits were reduced by 0.53 ± 0.24 visits in the year after consultation (mean ± SEM, 95% CI: 0.007–1.09; P < 0.04). Opioid prescriptions after addiction medicine consultation were also reduced by 0.37 ± 0.38 (P = 0.31). Substance abuse and mental health illnesses such as smoking, alcohol, illicit drug use, mood disorders and anxiety was seen in 72.2%, 22.2%, 19.4%, 27.8% and 16.7% of patients, respectively. Mean number of addiction medicine visits for tobacco and opioid abuse disorders were 2.2 and 5.3 respectively. Smoking cessation was successful in 11.5% of patients at 1 yr. However, a substantial reduction in smoking was noted in 26.9% of patients. CONCLUSION: Substance abuse and chronic opioids are factors known to be associated with worse outcomes in IBD patients. Our study shows IBD patients referred to addiction medicine service had significantly lower ER visits and trended to have fewer numbers of opioid prescriptions. Addiction medicine referrals were also successful in reducing smoking use by 27% with 11% cessation. Results reported here encourage further testing in larger sample sizes and suggest the implementation of addiction medicine professionals in the care of IBD patients.

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