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Published on: April 26, 2019
[Immunohistochemical studies in contaminated small bowel syndrome]
Z Kiss1, T Krenács, T Várkonyi
1Szent-Györgyi Albert Orvostudományi Egyetem, Szeged I. Belgyógyászati Klinika.
Insights
This study found that recurrent small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (CSBS) is linked to decreased IgA and IgM producing cells in the small intestine. These immunological changes may contribute to the recurrence of CSBS.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Context:
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (CSBS) is a condition characterized by elevated bacterial concentrations in the small intestine.
- The pathogenesis of recurrent CSBS is not fully understood, with potential roles for both bacterial factors and host immune responses.
- Immunocytochemical techniques, specifically the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) complex, are utilized to identify immunoglobulin-producing cells.
Purpose:
- To investigate the number of immunoglobulin-producing cells in the lamina propria of the small intestine in patients with normacid CSBS.
- To compare immunoglobulin-producing cell counts between patients with CSBS and healthy controls.
- To assess the impact of antibiotic treatment on bacterial overgrowth and immunoglobulin levels in CSBS patients.
Summary:
- 25 patients with normacid CSBS were studied, divided into groups based on bacterial concentration after antibiotic treatment.
- Immunoglobulin (IgA and IgM) producing cells were quantified in duodenal biopsy specimens using immunocytochemistry.
- A significant decrease in IgA and IgM producing immunocytes was observed specifically in patients with persistent high bacterial concentrations (CSBS II group).
Impact:
- The findings suggest that temporary immunological alterations, particularly a reduction in IgA and IgM-producing cells, may be implicated in the mechanism of recurrent CSBS.
- This research highlights a potential link between host immune status and the persistence of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
- Understanding these immunological changes could inform future therapeutic strategies for managing recurrent CSBS.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to evaluate the number of the immunoglobulin producing cells in the lamina propria of the small intestine by immunocytochemical techniques, using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) complex in normacid patients with CSBS. 25 patients were studied including 13 patients with bacterial overgrowth, where the bacterial concentration was higher than 10(4) colony forming units/ml, and 12 subjects with normal bacterial concentration, served as control. The patients with CSBS were treated with antibiotics according to the antibiotic resistance. After treatment the luminal bacterial concentrations was lower than 10(4) cfu/ml in 7 of 13 patients (CSBS I. group). In 6 patients the bacterial concentration remained high (CSBS II. group). The immunoglobulin producing cells were determined in biopsy specimens taken from the lower part of duodenum. The number of the IgA and IgM producing immunocytes was significantly decreased only in the CSBS II. group. Our results show that temporary immunological alterations may play an important role in the mechanism of the recurrent CSBS.
