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International audience; Background and AimsThe identification of Crohn's disease (CD)-associated adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is time-consuming and requires ileal biopsies. We aimed to identify a faster and less invasive methods to detect ileal colonization by AIEC in CD patients.MethodsCD patients requiring ileo-colonoscopy were consecutively enrolled in this prospective multicenter study. Samples from saliva, serum, stools, and ileal biopsies of CD patients were collected.ResultsAmong 102 CD patients, the prevalence of AIEC on ileal biopsies was 24.5%. The abundance and global invasive ability of ileal-associated total E. coli were respectively ten-fold (p = 0.0065) and two-fold (p = 0.0007) higher in AIEC-positive (vs. AIEC-negative), while abundance of total E. coli in the feces was not correlated with AIEC status in the ileum. The best threshold of ileal total E. coli was 60 cfu/biopsy to detect AIEC-positive patients, with high negative predictive value (NPV) (94.1%[80.3–99.3]), while the global invasive ability (>9000 internalized bacteria) was able to detect the presence of AIEC with high positive predictive value (80.0% [55.2–100.0]). Overall, 78.1% of the AIEC + patients were colonized by two or less different AIEC strains. The level of serum anti-total E. coli antibodies (AEcAb) was higher in AIEC-positive patients (p = 0.038) with a very high negative predictive value (96.6% [89.9–100.0]) (p = 0.038) for a cut-off value > 1.9 × 10−3.ConclusionsMore than two thirds of AIEC-positive CD patients were colonized by two or less AIEC strains. While stools samples are not accurate to screen AIEC status, the AEcAb level appears to be an attractive, rapid and easier biomarker to identify patients with Crohn's disease harboring AIEC.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crohn’s disease (CD) frequently affects young women and may require surgery during pregnancy. Data regarding operation for CD in expectant mothers are scare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective nationwide survey from the GETAID Chirurgie. Any woman with CD undergoing surgery during pregnancy was eligible. RESULTS: A total of 15 cases were collected between 1992 and 2015. Most operations were performed due to penetrating or stricturing complications. Mean gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 2507 g. Maternal post-operative complications occurred in two-thirds of cases. Maternal mortality rate was 6.7% and neonatal mortality rate 9.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series of surgery for CD during pregnancy. This operation may have significant morbidity and mortality for mother, fetus, and newborn. Indication needs to be tailored to maternal status, disease severity, and gestational age. Surgery should be managed by experienced gynecologists, physicians, and surgeons. Active CD may be associated with a greater risk to the fetus than the surgical procedure itself.

International audience; Background - Few data exist to help select a second biologic agent in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim - To compare the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) and vedolizumab (VDZ) in UC patients who failed a first subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosing factor (TNF) agent. Methods - Consecutive UC patients from 12 French centres starting IFX or VDZ after at least one injection of adalimumab or golimumab have been included in a retrospective study. Outcomes were clinical remission at week 14, survival without treatment discontinuation and survival without UC-related event. Results - Among the 225 patients included, clinical remission at week 14 was achieved in 40/154 (26%) patients treated with IFX and in 35/71 (49%) treated with VDZ (P = 0.001). After a propensity score matching analysis, this difference remained significant (odds ratio: 1.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-2.56; P = 0.02). With a median follow-up of 117 weeks, survival rates without treatment discontinuation at years 1 and 3 were 50% and 29% with IFX, and 80% and 55% with VDZ, respectively (P

International audience; BACKGROUND: Infliximab (IFX) combined with azathioprine (AZA) is more effective than IFX monotherapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIM: To identify the AZA optimal dose that is required for efficacy when receiving combination therapy. METHODS: Patients with IBD in durable remission on combination therapy were enrolled in a 1-year, open-label, prospective trial after randomisation into three groups: AZA steady (2-2.5~mg/kg/day, n=28) vs AZA down (dose was halved 1-1.25~mg/kg/day, n=27) vs AZA stopped (n=26). Primary endpoint was failure defined as occurrence of a clinical relapse and/or any change in IBD therapy. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included. Five (17.9%), 3 (11.1%), and 8 (30.8%) patients experienced failure at 1~year in groups AZA steady, AZA down and AZA stopped, respectively (P=.1 across the groups). The median trough levels of IFX at inclusion were close to those measured at the end of follow-up in group AZA steady (3.65 vs 3.45~μg/mL, P=.9) and in group AZA down (3.95 vs 3.60~μg/mL, P=.5), whereas these levels dropped from 4.25 to 2.15~μg/mL (P=.02) in group AZA stopped. Four (14.3%), four (14.8%) and 11 (42.3%) patients experienced an unfavourable evolution of IFX pharmacokinetics in groups AZA steady, AZA down and AZA stopped, respectively. A threshold of 6-TGN \textless105~pmoles/8.108 RBC was associated with an unfavourable evolution of IFX pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: Under combination therapy, AZA dose reduction, but not withdrawal, appears to be as effective as continuation of AZA at full dose.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1178–1185 Summary Background Efficacy of infliximab in treating ulcerative proctitis remains unknown. Aim To evaluate the clinical, biological and endoscopic efficacy of infliximab therapy in refractory proctitis. Methods The charts of 420 patients treated with infliximab for ulcerative colitis were reviewed. Thirteen patients were treated with infliximab for refractory ulcerative proctitis in six referral centres between 2005 and 2009. Results Following infliximab therapy induction, 9/13 patients (69%) had a complete response (defined as absence of diarrhoea and blood), 2/13 (15%) had a partial response and 2/13 (15%) were primary nonresponders. The median follow-up was 17 months (range, 3–48). Among the 11 patients with clinical response after infliximab induction therapy, 9 (82%) patients maintained response at last follow-up. Disappearance of rectal disorders was observed in all nine patients who maintained clinical response at last follow-up. Following infliximab induction therapy, the mean CRP level fell from 12.8 mg/L to 4.7 mg/L. Endoscopic evaluation was performed before and after infliximab in seven patients, showing an improvement in mucosal lesions in four patients, persistent mild endoscopic activity in two patients and no improvement in one patient. One patient underwent proctocolectomy. Conclusion Infliximab therapy seems to be effective in inducing and maintaining a clinical response in refractory ulcerative proctitis.