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Intestinal superinfections in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Elisabetta Antonelli1, Monia Baldoni, Paolo Giovenali
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
Background:
Intestinal superinfections may occur in the setting of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), complicating the clinical picture and triggering flares of disease.
Aims:
To report our experience with intestinal superinfections in IBD patients over a three-year period.
Methods:
Charts of patients hospitalized for moderate-to-severe active disease during the observation period were reviewed, and data of patients with flares due to infections collected and analyzed.
Results:
Overall, 15 out of 113 IBD patients (13.3%) had flare-ups related to intestinal infections; 143 acute flare-ups were thus documented, with 17 episodes (12%) related to infective agents, represented by Campylobacter jejuni (3 infections), Clostridium difficile (7 infections), and Cytomegalovirus (7 infections). All but two infections occurred in ulcerative colitis patients, and all responded to appropriate treatment.
Conclusions:
Intestinal superinfections may complicate the clinical picture of IBD patients, increasing the diagnostic and therapeutic burden. Appropriate early diagnostic and therapeutic measures are thus needed in these patients.
Insights
Intestinal superinfections complicate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management, with 13.3% of IBD patients experiencing infections. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing these challenging cases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Intestinal superinfections are a known complication in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- These infections can worsen the clinical presentation and trigger disease flares.
- Managing IBD requires awareness of potential superimposed infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the experience with intestinal superinfections in IBD patients.
- To analyze the incidence and causative agents of infections during IBD flares.
- To evaluate the impact of superinfections on IBD patient management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of hospitalized IBD patients with moderate-to-severe active disease.
- Data collection focused on patients experiencing flares attributed to infections.
- Analysis of infection types, patient demographics, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- 13.3% (15/113) of IBD patients experienced flare-ups due to intestinal infections.
- 17 out of 143 documented acute flares were infection-related (12%).
- Common pathogens included Clostridium difficile (7), Cytomegalovirus (7), and Campylobacter jejuni (3); most occurred in ulcerative colitis patients.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal superinfections significantly complicate IBD patient care.
- These infections increase diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Early and accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment are essential for optimal IBD management.
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