Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could decolonize multidrug-resistant organisms. We investigated FMT effectiveness and safety in the eradication of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) intestinal colonization. A prospective non-randomized comparative study was performed with 48 patients. FMT material (60 g) was obtained from a healthy donor, frozen, and administered via endoscopy. The primary endpoint was 1-month decolonization, and secondary endpoints were 3-month decolonization and adverse events. Microbiota analysis of fecal samples was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed overall negative conversion between the FMT and control groups at 1 (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.264) and 3 (52% vs. 24%, p = 0.049) months. The 1-month and 3-month CRE clearance did not differ significantly by group (36% vs. 10%, p = 0.341; and 71% vs. 30%, p = 0.095, respectively). Among patients with VRE, FMT was ineffective for 1-month or 3-month negative conversion (13% vs. 9%, p > 0.999; and 36% vs. 18%, p = 0.658, respectively) However, cumulative overall negative-conversion rate was significantly higher in the FMT group (p = 0.037). Enterococcus abundance in patients with VRE significantly decreased following FMT. FMT may be effective at decolonizing multidrug-resistant organisms in the intestinal tract.

Older patients with multiple comorbidities often necessitate prolonged hospital stays and antibiotic treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), leading to a rise in multidrug-resistant organisms like carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). This study examined risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae colonization in the ICU and assessed probiotics’ preventive role. In this single-center, retrospective study, 9099 ICU patients were tested for stool CRE culture from March 2017 to April 2022. We excluded 136 patients with CRE colonization within one week post-admission and 26 who received probiotics before CRE colonization. Ultimately, 8937 CRE-negative patients were selected. Logistic analysis identified CRE colonization risk factors and evaluated probiotics’ influence, including Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus rhamnosus, used by 474 patients (5.3%) in the ICU. Compared with data on initial admission, 157 patients (1.7%) had newly discovered CRE colonization before discharge. In a multivariate analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, the ICU, tube feeding, antibiotics such as aminoglycoside, extended-spectrum penicillin, stool vancomycin-resistance enterococci colonization, and chronic kidney disease were significantly associated with de novo CRE infection. However, probiotic use was negatively correlated with CRE infection. Managing risk factors and administering probiotics in the ICU may help prevent CRE colonization; large randomized prospective studies are needed.

Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer ranks fifth for incidence and fourth in the leading causes of mortality worldwide. In this study, we aimed to validate previously developed artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided detection (CADe) algorithm, called ALPHAON^® in detecting gastric neoplasm. Methods: We used the retrospective data of 500 still images, including 5 benign gastric ulcers, 95 with gastric cancer, and 400 normal images. Thereby we validated the CADe algorithm measuring accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with the result of receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and area under curve (AUC) in addition to comparing the diagnostic performance status of four expert endoscopists, four trainees, and four beginners from two university-affiliated hospitals with CADe algorithm. After a washing-out period of over 2 weeks, endoscopists performed gastric detection on the same dataset of the 500 endoscopic images again marked by ALPHAON^®. Results: The CADe algorithm presented high validity in detecting gastric neoplasm with accuracy (0.88, 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.91), sensitivity (0.93, 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.98), specificity (0.87, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.90), and AUC (0.962). After a washing-out period of over 2 weeks, overall validity improved in the trainee and beginner groups with the assistance of ALPHAON^®. Significant improvement was present, especially in the beginner group (accuracy 0.94 (0.93 to 0.96) p < 0.001, sensitivity 0.87 (0.82 to 0.92) p < 0.001, specificity 0.96 (0.95 to 0.97) p < 0.001). Conclusions: The high validation performance state of the CADe algorithm system was verified. Also, ALPHAON^® has demonstrated its potential to serve as an endoscopic educator for beginners improving and making progress in sensitivity and specificity.

The Lyon Consensus 2.0 (Lyon 2.0) revised gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) definitions, incorporating Los Angeles (LA) grade B as diagnostic and mean nocturnal basal impedance (MNBI) as supplementary evidence. Asian populations show differing impedancepH thresholds, with lower acid exposure time (AET) and higher MNBI values. The clinical validity of MNBI in Asian GERD patients remains uncertain. This study evaluated Lyon 2.0's applicability to Korean patients. From January 2021 to August 2023, GERD-suspected patients underwent endoscopy, manometry, and pH testing. MNBI was measured 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Patients with major motor disorders, organic diseases, or prior foregut surgery were excluded. GERD was defined by AET ≥ 4% or LA grades B-D; non-GERD by AET < 4%, LA grade A or normal Z line with < 40 reflux episodes/day. The optimal MNBI threshold was determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Among 427 patients (mean age 57.7 ± 13.8 years, 37.2% male), 59 (13.8%) had GERD (10 endoscopically confirmed, 54 by AET ≥ 4%). Non-GERD accounted for 63.5% (n = 271), with 22.7% (n = 97) in the borderline group. MNBI correlated negatively with AET (r = -0.482, P < 0.01) and LA grade (r = -1.390, P = 0.005). The optimal MNBI threshold for GERD was 2167 Ω (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.75). Three LA grade A cases were reclassified as GERD-positive using this threshold. MNBI significantly correlated with AET and LA grades, highlighting its diagnostic value in Korean GERD patients. However, regional variations suggest higher MNBI thresholds than Lyon 2.0 recommendations, warranting further studies to refine criteria for Asian populations.

Few studies have focused on assessing the usefulness of scoring systems such as the Rockall score (RS), Glasgow–Blatchford score (GBS), and AIMS65 score for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in peptic ulcer bleeding patients. This study aimed to assess scoring systems in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. A total of 682 peptic ulcer bleeding patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2013 and December 2017 were found eligible for this study. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of each score was calculated for predicting rebleeding, hospitalization, blood transfusion, and mortality. The median age of patients was 64 (interquartile range, 56–75) years. Of the patients, 74.9% were men, and 373 underwent endoscopic intervention. The median RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scores were significantly higher in patients who underwent endoscopic intervention than in those who did not. The AUROC of RS for predicting rebleeding was significantly higher than that of GBS (P = .022) or AIMS65 (P < .001). GBS best predicted the need for blood transfusion than either pre-RS (P = .013) or AIMS65 (P = .001). AIMS65 score showed the highest AUROC for mortality (0.652 vs. 0.622 vs. 0.691). RS was significantly associated with rebleeding (odds ratio, 1.430; P < .001) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.217; P < .001). The RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scoring systems are acceptable tools for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding. RS is an independent prognostic factor of rebleeding and overall survival.

Cha B, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Aug;37(32):e251. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e251