Clinical Case Summary

We present the case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed with anti-EJ positive anti-synthetase syndrome in 2020. Two years after the diagnosis, he began experiencing subacute episodes of postprandial abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting. On physical examination, the abdomen was distended, non-tender, and tympanic. Abdominal CT revealed dilatation of small bowel loops without evidence of mechanical obstruction. Endoscopic studies ruled out endoluminal lesions. Given the suspicion of a severe gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder, a comprehensive motility evaluation was performed. Esophageal manometry revealed absent contractility, gastric emptying scintigraphy was consistent with gastroparesis, and small bowel manometry demonstrated absence of normal migrating motor complexes during fasting and a weak postprandial motor response, findings compatible with a myopathic pattern. A diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) secondary to autoimmune disease activity was established. The patient’s immunosuppressive therapy was escalated to tofacitinib and supportive treatment with prokinetics (prucalopride), non- absorbable antibiotics for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and nutritional supplementation, was initiated. The patient showed symptomatic improvement during follow-up, although small bowel dilation persisted on imaging studies. CIPO is the most severe form of GI motility disorder, representing the end stage of various conditions affecting the neuromuscular system of the GI tract (1). Autoimmune diseases are recognized causes of CIPO, with connective tissue disorders being the most frequently documented. The treatment of CIPO involves two main approaches: addressing the underlying disease, in this particular case, through immunosuppression, and providing supportive care to maintain adequate nutrition. A high index of suspicion for severe GI motility disorders is essential to avoid delays in diagnosis and to initiate effective treatment promptly.

References

1. Malagelada C and Alcalá-González LG. Mistakes in chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction and how to avoid them. UEG Education 2024; 24: 12-17.
Pictures from abdominal distention crisis, radiological CT images and manometric tracings, including high-resolution jejunal manometry (small bowel) will be presented.

Clinical Case Summary

Background: Syphilis is a chronic systemic infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, often referred to as "the great imitator" due to its ability to affect nearly any organ. Syphilitic hepatitis, or "luetic jaundice," is a rare manifestation, indicating spirochete dissemination to the liver.
Case Report: A 26-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with fever (39.5 °C), fatigue, sweating, tremor, dark urine, pale stools, and significant weight loss (15 kg over two months). She also reported lower extremity muscle and joint pain, cough and slowing of speech. On examination, she had icteric skin, a generalized maculopapular rash, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. No history of alcohol or drug use was noted.
Laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of both cytolytic and cholestatic liver enzymes, along with increased bilirubin an elevated C-reactive protein.
Abdominal ultrasound and contrast CT showed hepatomegaly, hilar and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.
Viral hepatitis markers (HBsAg, HBV PCR, HCVAb, HCV PCR, anti-HAV IgM, anti-HEV IgM) and antibodies for CMV, EBV, HIV, HSV-1,2 were negative. Wright-Hedelson test for brucellosis and serological markers for autoimmune hepatitis were negative while IgG and cerulopasmin levels were within normal range. Given systemic findings and history, syphilis was considered. Serologic tests were positive for Treponema pallidum (ELISA, TPHA, MRP). Liver biopsy revealed mild active hepatitis. The diagnosis of ^secondary syphilitic hepatitis was made. The patient was started on antimicrobial therapy. During follow-up, liver function tests normalized, and systemic symptoms resolved.
Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hepatitis. Although rare, syphilitic hepatitis should be considered in patients with liver enzyme elevations and nonspecific symptoms, particularly when no clear alternative diagnosis is found.

References

1) Malvar G, Cardona D, Pezhouh MK, Adeyi OA, Chatterjee D, Deisch JK, Lamps LW, Misdraji J, Stueck AE, Voltaggio L, Gonzalez RS. Hepatic Secondary Syphilis Can Cause a Variety of Histologic Patterns and May Be Negative for Treponeme Immunohistochemistry. Am J Surg Pathol. 2022 Apr 1;46(4):567-575. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001848. PMID: 34864775.
2)Supronowicz Ł, Rogalska M. Syphilitic hepatitis. Clin Exp Hepatol. 2024 Mar;10(1):9-13. doi: 10.5114/ceh.2024.136235. Epub 2024 Mar 12. PMID: 38765910; PMCID: PMC11100338.
3)Al Dallal HA, Narayanan S, Alley HF, Eiswerth MJ, Arnold FW, Martin BA, Shandiz AE. Case Report: Syphilitic Hepatitis-A Rare and Underrecognized Etiology of Liver Disease With Potential for Misdiagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 29;8:789250. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.789250. PMID: 34912834; PMCID: PMC8666961.
Figure 1: Histological images of the liver biopsy
Figure 2: Abdominal CT images
Figure 3: Images of maculopapular rash

Clinical Case Summary

A 64-year-old male patient presented with acute epigastric pain over 7 days, worsening after meals, nausea, vomiting 2 times without signs of bleeding, diarrhea 5-6 times/day, high blood pressure 180/100 mmHg. He had a 6-year history of recurrent epigastric pain, after multiple EGDSs was diagnosed as gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis. The patient had undergone HP eradication and received standard anti-ulcer therapy several times, with no clinical improvement. On physical examination, the patient appeared pale. The abdomen was soft, without pain, guarding or rebound tenderness. The patient's medical history was significant for arterial hypertension. Lab abnormalities included WBC 16.32-10x10⁹/L, ESR 94mm/sec, CRP at 184.3 mg/L, FBG 767 mg, Total protein 50.9 g/L, CREA 147 mmol/L, Urea 13.42 mmol/L, Na 129 mmol/L. Intestinal infections were negative. New EGDS revealed an ulcerative lesion with 0.8cm diameter, in the region from antrum to greater curvature, covered with fibrin. Colonoscopy was normal. Duplex ultrasound revealed a 70% stenosis of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery, with atherosclerotic wall deformation and intima-media thickening. A thrombosis was detected in the region of the aortic bifurcation. CT angiography revealed up to 70% stenosis of the suprarenal abdominal aorta, no contrast enhancement was observed in the origins of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, left renal artery (left kidney appeared atrophic), total occlusion of bilateral common, external, and internal iliac arteries.
Conclusion: Gastric ulcers are mostly associated with HP. However, in rare cases, underlying vascular pathology may be critical in their pathogenesis. This case highlights an overlooked cause of gastric ulcers, particularly in patients with atherosclerotic risk factors. In patients with persistent symptoms despite medical therapy ischemic ulceration should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Introduction

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is emerging as a significant but under-recognized health challenge in Africa. Diagnostic delays, limited awareness, and a lack of educational opportunities for healthcare professionals persist. The Inaugural Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Africa Symposium was held on April 10th in Abuja, Nigeria, to foster collaboration in IBD diagnosis and management, promote awareness of medical and surgical care options, and support patient advocacy.

Aims & Methods

A hybrid (in-person and virtual) full-day symposium was designed and developed, bringing together specialists in gastroenterology, surgery, nursing, pathology, radiology, and oncology from across the continent. The program featured expert-led lectures and multidisciplinary team case-based discussions. A post-symposium electronic survey was deployed to assess participants’ satisfaction, knowledge gains, practice impacts, and IBD management challenges and provide recommendations for enhancing future symposia. Quantitative responses were analyzed descriptively; qualitative feedback was thematically categorized.

Results

A total of eighty-four individuals registered, with speakers and faculty representing Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Kenya. Fifty-eight (69%) of 84 completed the survey. These comprise nurses (34.5%), surgeons (27.6%), gastroenterologists (17.2%), radiologists (8.6%), pathologists (6.9%), and oncologists (5.2%). Overall, 93% rated the program as Satisfied, with 88% reporting significant knowledge gains in African-context IBD management. Diagnostic and treatment confidence improved in 83% and 76% of participants, respectively, with 69% gaining skills in biopsy techniques and 67% differentiating IBD mimickers. Major challenges reported included limited access to endoscopy and histopathology, low disease awareness among patients, high diagnostic costs, misdiagnosis as infectious diarrhea or tuberculosis, and lack of referral networks. The absence of multidisciplinary care teams was also noted. A strong majority (95%) supported establishing an African IBD registry, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding, technical infrastructure, and training. Hybrid learning and case-based approaches were preferred for future symposia, with interest in pediatric IBD and resource-adapted care.

Conclusion

The symposium significantly enhanced knowledge and confidence in IBD care among participants while exposing critical gaps in diagnostics, treatment access, and care coordination. These findings highlight the need for sustained collaborative efforts to strengthen IBD education and care. Supporting regional training and cross-disciplinary engagement will be essential to building capacity, improving outcomes, and advancing equitable IBD management across the continent.

Disclosure

Nothing to disclose