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Objective: To determine the clinical significance of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in mild hospitalized patients with Covid-19 infection. Material and Methods: This study included adult patients who were hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 infection. The demographical features, symptoms, clinical presentations, medical history, medications and clinical progress and outcomes were noted using data collection form by the clinicians. The effect of GI symptoms on clinical outcomes in patients with mild Covid-19 infection was statistically evaluated. Results: 307 patients were included to the study. 159 of patients (51.7%) had an at least one GI symptoms, 18.2% of those presented only GI symptoms while 21.2% only non-GI symptoms. 27% were asymptomatic at admission. The most common GI symptom was loss of appetite that presenting 16.9% patients. The second and third most common GI symptoms were diarrhea in 15% patients, nausea and loss of taste in 14% patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in laboratory parameters between GI and non-GI symptoms groups. When age, gender, smoking status, and comorbidities of patients with GI and non-GI symptoms groups were compared, there was no difference in mean age, gender, smokers, and comorbidities. In addition, the length of hospital stay (p=0.377), complete healing (p=0.372) and mortality (p=0.351) was similar in patients with GI and non-GI symptoms groups respectively. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of Covid-19 infection presenting with GI symptoms can help prevent infection spread. The majority of these symptoms were mild, and their presence was not associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Introduction: The frequency, risk factors, and outcome of Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in IBD. Materials and Methods: Patients with IBD were recruited retrospectively between March 2020 and March 2021, and those with SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed. Results: A total of 894 patients with IBD were identified during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 18 (2.0%) patients, including five (1.2%) of the 430 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 12 (2.8%) of 428 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and, one (2.8%) of 36 with unclassified IBD. The mean age was 42.2 years. Twelve (66.7%) of the patients were men. None of the patients was vaccinated for Coronavirus disease-2019. Five (27.8%) patients were hospitalized for a median of 10 days; the remaining patients were isolated at home. No intensive care unit admission or mortality occurred. Although a disease flare was not observed, a patient with UC who was on steroids demonstrated temporary terminal ileitis, pneumonitis intestinalis, and recto-vaginal fistulae. Six (33.3%) patients were on biologic agents, with one having concomitant immunomodulator and steroid therapy. The main gastrointestinal (GI) symptom was diarrhea in six (33.3%) patients. Conclusion: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.0% (n=18) in patients with IBD. Diarrhea is the most common GI symptom and should not be confused with IBD flare.

Mucormycosis is an acutely fatal infection that occurs in immuncompromised patients. Cirrhosis is an acquired immune deficiency state and those patients are more prone to develop opportunistic infections. A 42-years-old cirrhotic man was admitted to our gastroenterology clinic with hepatic encephalopathy. Although he recovered from encephalopathy with supportive measurements, he developed paresthesia on the face. He was diagnosed with rhinocerebral mucormycosis and antifungal therapy was administered. Surgical treatment couldn’t be performed because of his bleeding diathesis and poor general condition. He succumbed on the 12th day of his admission.

Biliary microhamartomas, also known as bile duct hamartomas and von Meyenburg complexes, are benign neoplasms containing cystic dilated bile ducts embedded in fibrous stroma. They develop in hepatobiliary system, do not generally give clinical outcomes, and are detected incidentally. However, they can rarely show malignant transformation. Our aim was to report the contribution of computed tomography, routine magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of biliary microhamartomas in a 61-year-old woman.

Acute liver failure is defined as rapid loss of liver function that patients without previously recognized liver disease sustain a liver damage. Acute liver failure due to non-exertional heatstroke has rarely been reported. We reported here an unusual case of heat stroke induced acute liver failure (ALF) after sauna. A 63 year old man without previously recognized liver and other systemic disease was admitted for loss of consciousness and impaired liver function after sauna. Despite intensive supportive care, ALF developed. Liver transplantation was planned but the patient died on the sixth day of hospitalization. Non-exertional heatstroke induced ALF is a rare and serious condition. ALF caused by non-exertional heatstroke which requires liver transplantation for definitive solution should be kept in mind in early period.