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Virus infections of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry.

Several different viruses have been identified as causes of gastrointestinal tract infections in poultry. These include rotaviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, astroviruses, and reoviruses. In addition, a number of other viruses of unknown importance have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases in poultry based on electron microscopic examination of feces and intestinal contents. Viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry are known to negatively impact poultry production, and they likely contribute to the development of other, extragastrointestinal diseases. Our current understanding of the viruses that cause gastrointestinal tract infections in poultry is reviewed, with emphasis given to those of greatest importance.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

Comparative studies on proteodermatan sulfate of bovine gastrointestinal tract.

Proteodermatan sulfate was extracted from four areas of the bovine gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon) with 4 M guanidine-HCl and then purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Dermatan sulfate chains which made up proteodermatan sulfate from each area were separately prepared by Pronase P and endo-beta-xylosidase digestion. The properties of the proteodermatan sulfate and dermatan sulfate chains were compared using electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. The molecular size of proteodermatan sulfate purified from each area was estimated to be greater than 8 x 10(5), and the molecular sizes of dermatan sulfate chains from esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon were 27,000, 24,500, 21,000, and 21,500, respectively. The dermatan sulfate chains from the esophagus were slightly undersulfated in comparison with the others. These results show that the molecular sizes of proteodermatan sulfate from different regions of the gastrointestinal tract are similar to each other, but are larger than those from other tissues. Dermatan sulfate chains differed from each other to a slight degree with respect to chain length and sulfation, that from the esophagus being the largest. These differences in proteodermatan sulfate structure seem to reflect the organ specificities of the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗

Foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract.

The majority of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract require no medical or surgical intervention for removal. Prior to the era of modern gastrointestinal endoscopy, the management of ingested objects or nontherapeutic objects placed in the rectum required general anesthesia and was relegated to the general surgeon or otolaryngologist. With the advancement of therapeutic endoscopy, fewer affected individuals require surgical intervention. The physician involved with the initial evaluation of these patients must have a working knowledge of foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract to facilitate appropriate and timely management and referral.

Digestive System↗

Methylene blue in the evaluation of gastrointestinal tract integrity: potential limitations.

INTRODUCTION: The integrity of the gastrointestinal tract can be evaluated by oral or rectal application of methylene blue. In the presence of anastomotic leaks or fistulas, methylene blue can be recovered in adjacent drains. However, parts of the dye can biochemically be reduced by intestinal bacteria to its colorless form leucomethylene blue, limiting the prediction of the test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diluted methylene blue was added to different concentrations of bacterial suspensions of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. The time for discoloration of the suspension was measured. RESULTS: Reduction of methylene blue to leucomethylene blue was observed in both types of bacterial suspension. A 10(8) bacterial concentration discolorated the dye within 1 h in the E. faecalis suspension, respectively 2.5 h in the E. coli suspension. Longer bacterial interaction with methylene blue reduced the bacterial concentration required to achieve complete discoloration. DISCUSSION: Methylene blue can reliably be used as routine diagnostic test for the assessment of upper gastrointestinal integrity, where bacterial load is low. In the lower gastrointestinal tract, where bacterial load is generally higher, the dye can indicate leaks, only if extended intestinal passage after oral ingestion is avoided. In all other cases, the examiner has to be aware of false-negative results by bacterial discoloration of methylene blue.

Animals↗

[Immunocytochemical studies on the endothelin peptides and their receptors in mast cells of the rat lung and gastrointestinal tract].

The distribution of endothelin (ET)-containing mast cells was immunohistochemically investigated in the rat lung and gastrointestinal tract using antibodies against Big ET-1, Big ET-2, Big ET-3, mature ETs and their receptors of ET-A, and ET-B. In the lung, numerous mature ETs-containing mast cells were present in connective tissue around the bronchus, bronchioles and in the interalveolar septa. The number of Big ET-2-containing mast cells was almost the same as that of Big ET-3-containing mast cells, while Big ET-1-positive mast cells were fewer than that of the other isopeptides. In all the regions of the gastrointestinal tract, immunoreactivity for mature ETs was found mainly in mast cells of the lamina propria, the number of Big ET-2 and Big ET-3-containing cells was almost the same similar to that found in the lung, while Big ET-1-containing cells were very few. Moreover, mast cells in not only lung but also gastrointestinal tract contain both of ET-A and ET-B receptors. Electron-microscopically, ET-immunoreaction products were mainly precipitated in the mast cell granules. Hence, we presume that ETs are synthesized in and secreted from mast cells in the rat lung and gastrointestinal tract; they act in an autocrine/paracrine fashion; and their main isopeptides are ET-2 and ET-3.

Animals↗

Expression and localization of aquaporins in rat gastrointestinal tract.

A family of water-selective channels, aquaporins (AQP), has been demonstrated in various organs and tissues. However, the localization and expression of the AQP family members in the gastrointestinal tract have not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the expression and distribution of several types of the AQP family and to speculate on their role in water transport in the rat gastrointestinal tract. By RNase protection assay, expression of AQP1-5 and AQP8 was examined in various portions through the gastrointestinal tract. AQP1 and AQP3 mRNAs were diffusely expressed from esophagus to colon, and their expression was relatively intense in the small intestine and colon. In contrast, AQP4 mRNA was selectively expressed in the stomach and small intestine and AQP8 mRNA in the jejunum and colon. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization demonstrated cellular localization of these AQP in these portions. AQP1 was localized on endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels in the submucosa and lamina propria throughout the gastrointestinal tract. AQP3 was detected on the circumferential plasma membranes of stratified squamous epithelial cells in the esophagus and basolateral membranes of cardiac gland epithelia in the lower stomach and of surface columnar epithelia in the colon. However, AQP3 was not apparently detected in the small intestine. AQP4 was present on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cells in the lower stomach and selectively in the basolateral membranes of deep intestinal gland cells in the small intestine. AQP8 mRNA expression was demonstrated in the absorptive columnar epithelial cells of the jejunum and colon by in situ hybridization. These findings may indicate that water crosses the epithelial layer through these water channels, suggesting a possible role of the transcellular route for water intake or outlet in the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗

Gastrointestinal tract involvement by gynecologic diseases.

Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by gynecologic disease processes-endometriosis, gynecologic neoplasms, inflammatory processes, and complications from radiation therapy or surgery for gynecologic tumors-may mimic primary gastrointestinal carcinoma on radiologic images. Endometriosis most often involves the anterior wall of the rectosigmoid colon, adjacent to the pouch of Douglas, and typically produces extrinsic mass effect on the serosa, with the overlying mucosa left intact. Direct extension of ovarian cancer to the colon through the subperitoneal space produces mass effect with serosal spiculation, tethering, and fixation; annular constriction; or partial or complete obstruction. Intraperitoneal seeding of ovarian carcinoma most frequently involves the colon and is seen as extrinsic masses, often with serosal spiculation and tethering. Cervical carcinoma, which most commonly spreads by direct invasion of the pelvic side wall and adjacent structures, produces serosal spiculation and circumferential narrowing. Benign ovarian or uterine tumors are purely extrinsic and have a smooth interface with the colonic wall. Tubo-ovarian abscesses are difficult to differentiate from cystic ovarian neoplasms or endometriomas. Radiation colitis causes narrowing of the rectum with intact mucosa and can be differentiated from recurrent tumor, unlike radiation-induced injury of the small bowel, which may be difficult to distinguish. Surgical adhesions produce a discrete transition point between dilated bowel proximally and nondilated distal bowel. Familiarity with the varied patterns of gastrointestinal tract involvement is important for accurate interpretation of imaging studies.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Association of fibrinolytic tests with outcome of acute upper-gastrointestinal-tract bleeding.

Endogenous fibrinolysis may play a part in acute upper-gastrointestinal-tract bleeding by causing digestion of haemostatic plugs. We assessed the predictive value of fibrinolytic tests for hospital outcome in a prospective study of 122 patients with acute upper-gastrointestinal-tract bleeding who underwent endoscopy. Serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were above the normal range in 32% (95% CI 21-44%) of patients who survived and did not require transfusion or surgery, in 53% (37-69%) of patients who survived without surgery but required transfusion, and in 100% (82-100%) of patients who required surgery or died. Multivariate analysis showed that after adjustment for the effects of established risk factors (age, pulse rate, blood pressure, haemoglobin, site of bleeding, and stigmata of active bleeding at endoscopy), serum FDP was a powerful independent predictor of outcome (p = 0.003). Doubling of serum FDP was associated with a 59% increase in the risk of a poor outcome (95% CI 14-120%). These findings are consistent with roles for endogenous fibrinolysis in gastrointestinal-tract bleeding, for fibrinolytic tests in prediction of adverse outcome, and for fibrinolytic inhibitors in treatment.

Acute Disease↗

Rate of passage of corn-canola meal and corn-soybean meal diets through the gastrointestinal tract of broiler and White Leghorn chickens.

The effect of corn-canola meal and corn-soybean meal diets on the form and function of the gastrointestinal tract of broiler (meat-type) and White Leghorn (egg-type) cockerels was measured from 14 to 44 and 14 to 86 days of age or 203 to 1,844 and 115 to 1,777 g of body weight, respectively. Dry weights of the empty crop (P less than .01), gizzard (P less than .001), and ceca (P less than .001) relative to live body weight (g/kg) were lighter in broilers than in Leghorns. Canola meal at 370 g/kg diet was associated with increased (P less than .001) dry weight of the gizzard and jejunum relative to body weight. Soybean meal at 370 g/kg diet was associated with increased (P less than .001) dry weight of the ceca relative to body weight. The lengths, relative to a power of body weight of the duodenum (cm/g.187) and jejunum plus ileum (cm/g.240), were longer (P less than .001) in broilers than in Leghorns. The canola meal diet was associated with an increase (P less than .001) in length of the jejunum plus ileum (cm/g.240) relative to a power of body weight. Mean retention time (MRT) of a particle marker, 103ruthenium phenanthroline, increased with body weight in the entire gastrointestinal tract (P less than .001) and in each of its segments except in the proventriculus, where it was not affected by body weight (P greater than .05), and in the gizzard, where it decreased (P less than .05) with body weight. The MRT, adjusted for body weight in the entire gastrointestinal tract of broilers (338.0 +/- 10.8 min) and Leghorns (359.9 +/- 10.8 min), was similar (P greater than .05) but varied significantly in segments of the gut for both type of chicken and diet. Adjusted MRT was shorter in the crop (P less than .001) and gizzard (P less than .001) and longer in the duodenum (P less than .001) and ileum (P less than .01) of broilers than Leghorns. The soybean meal diet was retained for 2.3 min longer in the duodenum (P less than .001) and 84.2 min longer in the ceca (P less than .001) than the canola meal diet, which accounted for the longer (P less than .001) retention of the soybean meal diet in the entire gastrointestinal tract (388.0 +/- 10.6 vs. 309.8 +/- 10.8 min). Segments of the gastrointestinal tract vary in length, weight, and MRT of digesta with dietary composition and type and body weight of chicken.

Animal Feed↗

Spectrum of extracolonic gastrointestinal tract involvement in Gardner's syndrome.

To define the prevalence of extracolonic gastrointestinal tract neoplasms in association with Gardner's syndrome, 17 patients with the syndrome underwent a systematic endoscopic and radiologic investigation. Adenomas were found at one or more sites in the upper gastrointestinal tract in all patients, most frequently at the papilla of Vater (64.7% of patients). Focal adenomatous changes in normal-appearing mucosa were seen in five patients, at the ampulla of Vater and in the duodenum in four, and in the gastric antrum in two patients. Adenomas were also seen in the duodenum (47%), stomach (29.4%) and small intestine (23.5%). Hyperplastic polyps were found in the gastric antrum, duodenum or small bowel in five patients. Adenomas of the papilla of Vater showed greater degrees of dysplasia than did adenomas of the stomach or small bowel, which might explain the more frequent occurrence of malignancy at the papilla of Vater in patients with Gardner's syndrome. A systematic investigation of the gastrointestinal tract is mandatory in all patients with Gardner's syndrome prior to surgery, and at periodic follow-up thereafter.

Adenoma↗

Immunocytochemical studies on endothelin in mast cells and macrophages in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

To reveal the distribution of endothelin (ET)-containing stromal cells (mast cells and macrophages), we investigated the rat gastrointestinal tract immunohistochemically using antibodies to Big ET-1, Big ET-2, Big ET-3, and mature ETs. In all the regions of the gastrointestinal tract, immunoreactivity for all the antibodies used was found in stromal cells that were located mainly in the lamina propria (not in the submucosa). The number of these cells was largest in the small intestine and smallest in the colon. Moreover, Big ET-2, which was originally identified in the gastrointestinal tract, was also found in many stromal cells, but Big ET-3-containing cells, unexpectedly, were found in almost the same number as Big ET-2-containing cells, while Big ET-1-containing cells were few. These immunopositive stromal cells seemed to be mast cells and macrophages from their histological features. Double-immunohistochemical staining revealed that 92% of the mature ETs-positive cells were mast cells; the rest were macrophages. Furthermore, we confirmed that mature ETs coexisted with ET-A or ET-B receptors in identical cells. Hence, we presume that ETs are synthesized in and secreted from stromal cells in the rat gastrointestinal tract, that their main isotypes are not only ET-2 but also ET-3, and that ETs may act in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.

Animals↗

Position-specific expression of Hox genes along the gastrointestinal tract.

Hox genes play a critical role in morphogenesis of the early embryo along the anteroposterior axis. In mammals, 39 Hox genes with extensive homology are organized into 13 paralogous groups, forming four clusters on four separate chromosomes. The genes within each cluster are arranged in a 3' to 5' direction and expressed in a temporally and spatially coordinated manner along the anteroposterior axis in the vertebrae, limbs and viscera, including the gastrointestinal tract, but little is known about their spatial expression in the adult gastrointestinal tract. We used the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) intercalater method with SYBR Green to quantify human Hox gene expression in the adult gastrointestinal tract tissue: esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ileocecum, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and rectum. Hox gene expression was normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression. The spatial expression pattern was analyzed by the multivariate method. The expression level of all 39 Hox genes could be measured in a reproducible manner. Genes with higher expression in the foregut-derived segments tended to have lower expression in hindgut-derived segments, whereas those with low expression in the former tended to have higher in the latter. Principal components analysis and permax analysis revealed a position-specific expression pattern of Hox genes along the anteroposterior axis of the adult gastrointestinal tract. The pattern recapitulates the expression pattern in the embryonic gastrointestinal tract. We suggest that Hox genes may play a pivotal role in the position-specific regenerative process of intestinal epithelial cells.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Modulation of the gastrointestinal tract of infants by human milk. Interfaces and interactions. An evolutionary perspective.

Human milk contains agents that affect the growth, development and functions of the epithelium, immune system or nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract. Some human and animal studies indicate that human milk affects the growth of intestinal villi, the development of intestinal disaccharidases, the permeability of the gastrointestinal tract and resistance to certain inflammatory/immune-mediated diseases. Moreover, one cytokine in human milk, interleukin (IL)-10, protects infant mice genetically deficient in IL-10 against an enterocolitis that resembles necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in human premature infants. There are seven overlapping evolutionary strategies regarding the relationships between the functions of the mammary gland and the infant's gastrointestinal tract as follows: 1) certain immunologic agents in human milk compensate directly for developmental delays in those same agents in the recipient infant; 2) other agents in human milk do not compensate directly for developmental delays in the production of those same agents, but nevertheless protect the recipient; 3) agents in human milk enhance functions that are poorly expressed in the recipient; 4) agents in human milk change the physiologic state of the intestines from one adapted to intrauterine life to one suited to extrauterine life; 5) some agents in human milk prevent inflammation in the recipient's gastrointestinal tract; 6) survival of human milk agents in the gastrointestinal tract is enhanced because of delayed production of pancreatic proteases and gastric acid by newborn infants, antiproteases and inhibitors of gastric acid production in human milk, inherent resistance of some human milk agents to proteolysis, and protective binding of other factors in human milk; and 7) growth factors in human milk aid in establishing a commensal enteric microflora.

Animals↗

Prospective evaluation of gastrointestinal tract in patients with iron-deficiency anemia.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is believed to cause iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The information concerning ideal evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract and exact findings in patients with IDA is scant. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate patients with IDA for gastrointestinal lesions potentially causing IDA at a US Army Teaching Medical Center with Gastroenterology Fellowship. Seventy patients with IDA had esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy, and if this evaluation was unremarkable, then small bowel biopsy was obtained at EGD to evaluate for celiac disease. Enteroclysis was done if endoscopic evaluation was negative. At endoscopy, at least one lesion potentially accounted for the IDA in 50 (71%) patients. At colonoscopy, 21 (30%) patients had 22 lesions (four colon cancer, seven adenoma > 1 cm, six vascular malformation, four severely bleeding hemorrhoids, one ileal Crohn's); at EGD, 39 (56%) patients had 43 lesions (11 gastric erosion, 10 esophagitis, four vascular malformation, four celiac disease, three gastric cancer, three gastric ulcer, three duodenal ulcer, two gastric polyp > 1 cm, one duodenal lymphoma, one esophageal cancer, and one duodenal Crohn's). Twelve (17%) patients had both upper and lower gastrointestinal tract lesions. Twenty-four of 32 (75%) patients with positive fecal occult blood test had potentially bleeding lesions compared to 24 of 38 (63%) patients with negative fecal occult blood test (P > 0.05). Six of nine patients with malignancy had positive fecal occult blood test. Twenty patients with normal endoscopy and small bowel biopsy had normal enteroclysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with HIV-infection].

AIM: To study clinical and morphological characteristics of gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in HIV-infected subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination of 70 HIV-infected subjects (all of them had secondary diseases, AIDS, CMV infection in the gastrointestinal tract; mean age 31.2 +/- 1.4 years) observed from 1993-2005 included conduction of flow cytofluorimetry (to assess immunity), esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, PCR (to assay CMV DNA in blood leukocytes), examination of biopsy and autopsy samples for CMV DNA and other pathogens of opportunistic diseases). There were 55 lethal outcomes. In autopsy, a total macroscopic and microscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract was made. Serial histotopographic sections were studied with a wide spectrum of histological stains. RESULTS: CMV gastrointestinal lesion was diagnosed in 38.9% of 180 HIV-infected subjects who had stomatitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, gastritis, enteritis, enterocolitis or colitis. Diagnostic criteria of viral lesion were high blood concentrations of CMV DNA, the presence of cytomegalocells, CMV DNA in biopsy or autopsy material. CONCLUSION: CMV infection manifested with severe pain, loss of weight, weakness, remitting fever. Gastrointestinal lesions were erosive-ulcerous or ulceronecrotic. The following pathogenetic chain of CMV infection course in the gastrointestinal tract was established: vasculitis--microcirculatory disorders--segmental ischemia--necrosis with inflammatory infiltration and CMV transformation of the cells--fibrosing--cicatricial transformation of the organ wall. Developing sclerosis due to CMV involvement of the intestine may promote cancer, but this should be proved in further studies. CMV gastrointestinal infection was successfully treated by cimeven (ganciclovir) and valcit (valganciclovir). The effect was achieved in 91% cases.

Adult↗

Heterotopic bone formation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Heterotopic bone is found rarely in the gastrointestinal tract. Here we report four cases, one of which occurred in Barrett's esophagus in an area of metaplasia of specialized cell type without evidence of neoplasia. In the remaining cases, bone was associated with mucin-producing tumors of the appendix, transverse colon, and rectum. The clinical and pathologic findings are discussed in detail. Heterotopic bone formation in the digestive tract usually occurs in the colorectum in association with benign or malignant epithelial tumors, and most often with those that produce abundant mucin. The pathogenesis of the osseous metaplasia in the gastrointestinal tract is not understood, although mucin extravasation is an almost constant feature. Fragments of metaplastic bone in a biopsy of a mucinous neoplasm of the digestive tract should not be misinterpreted as osseous invasion.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗