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Ciaran P Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to Ciaran P Kelly.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Update on Clostridium difficile associated disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to report recent changes in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile associated disease. RECENT FINDINGS: An epidemic of Clostridium difficile associated disease in Quebec was associated with a threefold increase in incidence and a sharp increase in fatalities. Strain typing of C. difficile isolates from the involved hospitals revealed that 82% were of a single strain (NAP1/027). This strain was found to produce greater than 10 times as much toxin A and toxin B as historic isolates and has been identified in many institutions throughout North America and Europe. Frequent nosocomial use of fluoroquinolones may encourage the spread of this strain as it is fluoroquinolone resistant. An increased rate of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease has also been noted and, in some cases, without prior antibiotic exposure. Although some studies have suggested an increased failure rate of metronidazole in Clostridium difficile associated disease, it remains the recommended first line treatment for uncomplicated cases. Other antibiotics, a toxin binder, probiotic agents and a vaccine are being tested in clinical trials for efficacy in prevention and treatment of Clostridium difficile associated disease. SUMMARY: The recent increase in the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile associated disease may be related, at least in part, to the emergence of a highly virulent, fluoroquinolone-resistant, NAP1/027 strain.

Clostridioides difficile↗
PubMed2006

Monitoring non-responsive patients with celiac disease.

Current data clearly suggest that VCE has an important role in the diagnostic workup of complicated Cd, especially in those cases with suspected RCd or EATL. This is supported by the high yield of relevant pathological findings in distal parts of the small intestine, such as severe ulceration and mucosal infiltration, by VCE compared to conventional upper GI endoscopy. In this setting, VCE allows for an assessment of the extent of small bowel involvement, detection of overt though often small neoplasms and assists in planning further diagnostic procedures, especially push or double-balloon enteroscopy which are necessary to obtain specimens either to rule out or to confirm aberrant monoclonal T cell proliferation. Currently, those patients in whom RCd type II or EATL are excluded profit most from a thorough diagnostic workup, since most of them can be treated or cured pharmacologically. At present the prognosis of RCd type II or EATL is poor due to lack of effective therapies. However, treatments that effectively target the aberrant lymphocytes can be anticipated.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Update on the evaluation and diagnosis of celiac disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Our understanding of the pathophysiology of celiac disease has advanced with associated improvement in diagnostic modalities. Recent studies have placed the prevalence of celiac disease in Western populations at between 1:250 and 1:67. Celiac disease is common throughout the world and most cases go undiagnosed. Understanding the risk factors, clinical presentations and diagnostic modalities is necessary to identify and treat patients with this commonly misdiagnosed disorder. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased prevalence of celiac disease in individuals with autoimmune diseases, reduced bone mineral density and undiagnosed liver disease have been confirmed. However, celiac disease may not be associated with Down's syndrome or epilepsy. Evidence supports high sensitivity and specificity of endomysial- and tissue transglutaminase-based tests in most settings. In children, high or low tissue transglutaminase levels may preclude the need for duodenal biopsy. Cost-effectiveness studies suggest using tissue transglutaminase or endomysial initially, while distal duodenal or jejunal biopsy may confirm celiac disease in the absence of proximal changes. SUMMARY: There is insufficient evidence to support mass screening for celiac disease. However, case finding in individuals with risk factors for celiac disease is recommended. Further study is necessary to define diagnostic algorithms and target populations likely to benefit from testing.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2002

Safety and efficacy of E coli enterotoxin adjuvant for urease-based rectal immunization against Helicobacter pylori.

Low dose E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), delivered orally or enterically, has been used as an adjuvant for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) urease in healthy adults. In this study we aim to test the safety and adjuvant efficacy of LT delivered rectally together with recombinant H. pylori urease. Eighteen healthy adults without present or past H. pylori infection were enrolled in a double blind, randomized, ascending dose study to receive either urease (60 mg), or urease (60 mg) + LT (5 or 25 microg). The immunization preparation was administered per rectum on days 0, 14 and 28. Serum, stool and saliva anti-urease and anti-LT IgG and IgA antibodies (Abs) were measured and urease-specific and LT-specific antigen secreting cells (ASCs) were counted in peripheral blood at baseline and 7 (ASC counts) or 14 days (antibody levels) after each dosing. Peripheral blood lymphoproliferation assays were also performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Rectally delivered urease and LT were well tolerated. Among the 12 subjects assigned to urease+LT, 2 (16.7%) developed anti-urease IgG Abs, 1 (8.3%) developed anti-urease IgA Abs, and 3 (25%) showed urease-specific IgA(+) ASCs. Immune responses to LT were more vigorous, especially in subjects exposed to 5 microg LT. In the urease+ 5 microg LT group, anti-LT IgG and IgA Abs developed in 60 and 80% of the subjects, respectively, while LT-specific IgG(+) and IgA(+) ASCs were detected in all subjects. The magnitude of the anti-LT response was much higher than the response to urease. No IgA anti-urease or anti-LT Abs were detected in stool or saliva and lymphocyte proliferative responses to urease were unsatisfactory. In conclusion, rectal delivery of 5 microg LT is safe and induces vigorous systemic anti-LT immune responses. Further studies are needed to determine if LT can be an effective adjuvant for rectally delivered antigens.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Celiac disease: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and nutritional management.

Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory small intestinal disorder that can lead to severe villous atrophy, malabsorption, and malignancy. It is triggered by the gluten proteins of wheat, barley, and rye. All patients express the antigen-presenting molecules human leukocyte antigen-DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and/or HLA-DQ8, which bind gluten peptides and thus activate destructive intestinal T cells. Patients with untreated CD have circulating IgA autoantibodies to the enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tTG), a component of endomysium. Testing for serum IgA tTG has a high predictive value. Therapy of CD is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Counseling by an expert dietitian and association with a celiac support group are important in helping the patient embark on a healthy gluten-free diet. Current research focuses on non-dietary therapies and treatment of refractory (diet-unresponsive) CD.

Autoantibodies↗