1/5. A novel enteropathy with partial villous atrophy, microscopic colitis, and pemphigoid change.Microscopic colitis associated with gluten-resistant partial villous atrophy was documented in a 21-year-old woman with chronic nonbloody diarrhea. Electron microscopic examination of the colonic and duodenal biopsies showed focal separations of basal lamina from cryptal epithelial cells forming subepithelial blebs in which were mast cells and fibroblasts. These morphologic features have not been previously described in any inflammatory bowel disease and are reminiscent of bullous pemphigoid of the skin. The findings suggest that not all cases of microscopic colitis lie within the spectrum of collagenous colitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = mast cell, mast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Increased colonic mucosal mast cells associated with severe watery diarrhea and microscopic colitis.A patient with microscopic colitis, clearly identifiable by its histologic characteristics, is presented in whom the histology also revealed large numbers of mast cells. The patient was treated with H1 antagonists with prompt resolution of the diarrhea. The histologic and therapeutic findings in this case suggest the diarrhea and inflammation of microscopic colitis may be mediated by the degranulation of excessive numbers of mast cells in the colon and small bowel.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = mast cell, mast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Collagenous colitis. Ultrastructural study and collagen immunotyping of four cases.We studied four cases of collagenous colitis (CC), which is characterized by thickening of the subepithelial collagenous layer of the colorectal mucosa and is associated with chronic watery diarrhea. Eighteen cases of CC have been previously reported in the literature, to our knowledge. In our four patients, ultrastructural study and collagen immunotyping demonstrated that the basement membrane over the thickened collagen was normal. We found no similar collagenous thickening in a series of 96 biopsy specimens of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, but collagenous thickening was noted in 17 (25%) of 68 colonic metaplastic polyps. The cause of CC is unknown. The pericryptal fibroblastic sheath of the colonic mucosa has a probable role in the development of CC and metaplastic polyps. The role of the numerous mast cells present in our four cases of CC is currently unknown.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = mast cell, mast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Eosinophilic ileocolitis by enterobius vermicularis: a description of two rare cases.BACKGROUND: Human enterobiasis is usually mild. Occasionally, however, an "ectopic" disease may occur with a more severe course. Two rare cases of eosinophilic ileocolitis due to enterobius vermicularis infection are reported here. case reports: Case n degree 1 was 46 years old, presenting with fever and bloody diarrhoea. Blood eosinophilia was present. Stool microscopy demonstrated red blood cells and leukocytes. A 2 mm long worm with bilateral cervical wings was found in wet-mount preparations of faecal samples. The Scotch tape test was positive for enterobius vermicularis eggs. colon biopsy specimens showed massive eosinophilic infiltration and a typical pinworm section overlying the infiltrated mucosa. Case n degree 2 was a 24-year-old, anti-hiv negative homosexual, presenting with watery diarrhoea. Tests for malabsorption were negative. Three mm long adult male E. vermicularis were found on stool microscopy. biopsy specimens from the colon showed eosinophilic infiltration. In both cases a 200 mg/day course of oral mebendazole eliminated the symptoms within 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: In these two cases the clinical presentation of enterobiasis was atypical. A common finding was the eosinophilic infiltration of bowel mucosa, although it is still uncertain whether the worm per se may induce mast cell degranulation and eosinophil activation. Nevertheless, the possibility of enterobius vermicularis infection should be considered in the presence of eosinophilic ileocolitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = mast cell, mast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. ketotifen treatment of active colitis in patients with 5-aminosalicylate intolerance.Mast cell stabilizers are commonly used in the treatment of asthma and allergic disorders. Although the role of mucosal mast cells in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remains uncertain, mast cell stabilizers have been shown in animal models to attenuate the severity of experimental colitis. The authors' experience with ketotifen in three patients--one each with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and collagenous colitis--who had demonstrated allergy to, or intolerance of, 5-aminosalicylic acid is reported.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = mast cell, mast (Clic here for more details about this article) |