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Gastric cancer remains a major killer globally, although its incidence has declined over the past century. It is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common reason for cancer-related deaths worldwide. Gastric cancer is the outcome of a complex interaction between environmental, host genetic, and microbial factors. There is significant evidence supporting the association between chronic inflammation and the onset of cancer. This association is particularly robust for gastrointestinal cancers in which microbial pathogens are responsible for the chronic inflammation that can be a triggering factor for the onset of those cancers. Helicobacter pylori is the most prominent example since it is the most widespread infection, affecting nearly half of the world’s population. It is well-known to be responsible for inducing chronic gastric inflammation progressing to atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia, and eventually, gastric cancer. This review provides an overview of the association of the factors playing a role in chronic inflammation; the bacterial characteristics which are responsible for the colonization, persistence in the stomach, and triggering of inflammation; the microbiome involved in the chronic inflammation process; and the host factors that have a role in determining whether gastritis progresses to gastric cancer. Understanding these interconnections may improve our ability to prevent gastric cancer development and enhance our understanding of existing cases.

Background. In the follow up of chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV), a significant correlation between quantitative HBsAg titer measurement and HBV DNA level, and moreover with intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA was already shown. However, besides their impact on long-term follow up, they are really expensive methods, and not available widespread. We aimed to investigate the utility of qualitative measurement of HBsAg titer in prediction of virologic response at the end of the first year of anti-viral treatment in chronic HBV infection.Material and methods. A total of 70 patients receiving anti-viral therapies for chronic HBV infection were included into the study. The patients were evaluated according to Hbe Ag status and response to treatment. The determinations used in the study (biochemical, virologic responses, primary non-response) were accepted as it was described in AASLD.Results. Qualitative HBsAg titer increased significantly in both HBeAg positive and negative patients (p values 0.002 and < 0.000). Increasing of HBsAg titer in first three months is more dramatic in responder group, however the difference was disappeared at the sixth and twelve moths on follow up. Similarly, a fast increasing in anti-HBe titer in HBeAg negative chronic HBV patients was related with higher response at the end of first year therapy. However, the changings at the 12th month of anti-viral treatment were similar in both responder and non-responder groups.Conclusion. In conclusion, the fast increase in qualitative measurement of HBsAg titer seemed to be a predictor of higher anti-viral medication success in chronic HBV patients. However, this meaningful increasing was disappeared on the follow up, particularly after the six months examination.

Cytomegaloviral enterocolitis is an uncommon infection that can complicate inflammatory bowel disease. A case of a patient with a three-year history of Crohn's disease is reported. He had been in a stable condition on mesalamine 4 g/day and methylprednisolone 10 mg/day for three years until four weeks before admission. The patient was admitted with complaints of fever, abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. A diagnosis of an exacerbation of Crohn's disease was established. The radiological examination revealed narrowing of the terminal ileum. Multiple fistulas and abscess-like images were observed. The patient then underwent ileocolic resection and ileostomy. The histopathological examination revealed Crohn's ileocolitis with superimposed cytomegalovirus infection. In patients with rapidly deteriorating inflammatory bowel disease, cytomegalovirus infection should be kept in mind as one of the differential diagnoses.

BACKGROUND: Receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) is a novel tumour marker that has been described in various kinds of cancer. The majority of observations include immunohistochemical studies; however, there are not enough data about the utility of this antigen as a serum tumour marker and its tumour specificity.