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ELEVATED SERUM CYSTATIN C LEVELS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF CLINICAL DECOMPENSATION IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Lucia Amairani Robles Casanova 1, Moises Coutiño Flores 2, Gabriela Breton 3, Eumir Israel Juárez Valdés 3, Scherezada Mejia 3, Maria Herrero Maceda 3

Affiliations

1 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad De México, Mexico

2 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, México, Mexico

3 Hospital Juárez de México, Ciudad De México, Mexico

Summary

AI Generated

In a prospective study of 62 patients with Child-Pugh class A or B cirrhosis followed for 6 months, elevated baseline serum cystatin C (>0.95 mg/L) was significantly associated with hepatic decompensation events, with an odds ratio of 3.3.

Among 27 patients (43.5%) who developed decompensation (ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding), 81.5% had elevated cystatin C at baseline versus 57.1% in non-decompensated patients (p<0.001).
Mean cystatin C was significantly higher in the decompensated group (1.25 ± 0.40 mg/L) compared to the non-decompensated group (0.90 ± 0.40 mg/L).
A dose-response relationship was observed across cystatin C quartiles, with the highest quartile (>1.25 mg/L) showing greatest decompensation risk (p<0.001 for linear trend), even after excluding patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m².
Decompensated patients also had significantly lower serum albumin (2.8 versus 3.4 g/dL, p<0.001), while the creatinine/cystatin C ratio difference was not statistically significant.
The authors note the sample size was limited by exclusions and suggest cystatin C warrants prospective validation as a prognostic marker in cirrhosis.

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Abstract

Introduction

Hepatic decompensation in patients with cirrhosis represents a critical point in the clinical course of the disease, associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality.¹Common clinical manifestations of decompensation include ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal bleeding.² Cystatin C, a low molecular weight cysteine protease inhibitor produced by all nucleated cells, has emerged as a reliable endogenous marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Unlike serum creatinine, cystatin C is not significantly influenced by age, sex, muscle mass, or dietary protein intake, making it a more precise indicator of renal function—particularly in populations with altered muscle mass, such as those with chronic liver disease.³Beyond its role in renal assessment, cystatin C has demonstrated prognostic value in various clinical settings, including cardiovascular disease, sepsis, and general critical illness^4,5; however, patients with liver cirrhosis have been underrepresented in these cohorts.

Aims & Methods

Prospective longitudinal study including 62 patients with confirmed Child-Pugh class A or B cirrhosis. Serum cystatin C levels were measured at baseline by ELISA (mg/L), using <0.95 mg/L as the normal cutoff. Patients were followed for 6 months to detect decompensation events. Clinical and biochemical variables (age, sex, creatinine, albumin) were analyzed using quartile stratification, linear trend tests, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and diagnostic performance metrics (odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios).

Results

Table 1. Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics According to Hepatic Decompensation During Follow-Up.

Variable	Total (n = 62)	With decompensation (n =27)	Without decompensation (n = 35)
Age (mean ± SD, years)	58.05 ± 11.4	59.1 ± 10.9	57.2 ± 11.9
Male sex, n (%)	32 (51.6%)	14 (43%)	18(56%)
Serum cystatin C (mg/L, mean ± SD)	1.07 ± 0.42	1.25 ± 0.40	0.90 ± 0.40
Elevated cystatin C (>0.95 mg/L), n (%)	35 (56.4)	22 (81.5)	20 (57.1)
Serum albumin (g/dL, mean ± SD)	3.1 ± 0.5	2.8 ± 0.5	3.4 ± 0.4
Creatinine/cystatin C ratio (mean ± SD)	8.7 ± 5.8	7.6 ± 5.1	9.7 ± 6.1
Main etiology: Alcoholic liver disease, n (%)	26 (41.9)	12 (44.4)	14 (40.0)

Of 62 patients (32 men, 51.6%; mean age 58.05 ± 11.4 years), major etiologies were alcohol use (41.9%), metabolic liver disease (38.7%), and autoimmune disease (19.3%). Patients with infectious or undefined etiologies were excluded.
During follow-up, 27 patients (43.5%) developed at least one decompensation event (ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding). Among them, 81.5% had elevated cystatin C (mean 1.25 ± 0.40 mg/L) versus non-decompensated (mean 0.9 ± 0.40 mg/L, p<0.001). Chi-square analysis showed a significant association (χ² = 4.132; p = 0.042), supported by likelihood ratio (χ² = 4.293; p = 0.038) and linear-by-linear association (χ² = 4.065; p = 0.044). The estimated OR was 3.3.
Decompensated patients had a lower creatinine/cystatin ratio (mean 7.6 ± 5.1 vs 9.7 ± 6.1), though not statistically significant (p=0.162). Albumin levels were lower (2.8 ± 0.5 g/dL vs 3.4 ± 0.4 g/dL, p<0.001).
Quartile analysis showed a higher risk of decompensation in the highest cystatin C quartile (>1.25 mg/L; p<0.001, linear trend), even after excluding patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m². This trend was confirmed by linear-by-linear association (χ² = 39.88; df = 1; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cystatin C is significantly associated with the development of decompensation events in patients with chronic liver disease, providing an OR of 3.3 and a consistent dose-response trend across quartiles. Although the final sample size was relatively small due to exclusions for loss to follow-up or incomplete biochemical studies, the results were statistically significant and clinically relevant. These findings, based on a prospective design and strict follow-up, suggest that cystatin C could be a prognostic marker, and its inclusion in clinical practice warrants prospective validation.

References

1. Zhai M, Long J, Liu S, Liu C, Li L, Yang L, Li Y, Shu B. The burden of liver cirrhosis and underlying etiologies: results from the global burden of disease study 2017. Aging (Albany NY). 2021 Jan 12;13(1):279–300. doi: 10.18632/aging.104127.
2. D'Amico G, Bernardi M, Angeli P. Towards a new definition of decompensated cirrhosis. J Hepatol. 2022 Jan;76(1):202–207. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.018.
3. Chen DC, Potok OA, Rifkin D, Estrella MM. Ventajas, limitaciones y consideraciones clínicas en el uso de la cistatina C para estimar la TFG. Riñón360. 2022;3(10):1807-14.
4. Wang Y, Li W, Yang J, Zhang M, Tian C, Ma M, Zhang Q. Association between cystatin C and the risk of ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Mol Neurosci. 2019;69(3):444–449. doi:10.1007/s12031-019-01373-1.
5. Luo J, Wang LP, Hu HF, Zhang L, Li YL, Ai LM, et al. Cystatin C and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population: a meta-analysis. Clin Chim Acta. 2015 Oct 23;450:39–45. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.07.016.

Disclosure

I declare that I have no conflicts of interest related to this work.

Conference

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Hepatobiliary

Submission format

Abstract

Session

Liver changes assessment and clinical management of the consequences (Posters)

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

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The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

Eleni Kyvelou 1

Affiliations

1 None, None, Greece

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Abstract

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Nurses

Session

Patient care: Differences matter

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

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TARGETED PHAGE INTERVENTION IMPROVES BACTERIAL-DRIVEN COLITIS AND RESPONSE TO TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS BY ATTENUATING VIRULENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

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TARGETED PHAGE INTERVENTION IMPROVES BACTERIAL-DRIVEN COLITIS AND RESPONSE TO TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS BY ATTENUATING VIRULENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

Kyle Jackson 1, Heather Galipeau 2, Amber Hann 2, Marco Constante 2, Megan Zangara 3, Alexandra Fuentas 2, Chiko Shimbori 2, Premysl Bercik 2, Brian Coombes 3, Zeinab Hosseinidoust 1, Elena Verdu 2

Affiliations

1 McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada|||Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada

2 Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada

3 McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

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Abstract

Introduction

Current therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suppress inflammation rather than inhibiting underlying microbial drivers. Treatment failures of frontline interventions, including corticosteroids, can lead to dose escalation and risk of adverse effects.^1,2 Bacteria with pro-inflammatory potential, like adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), have been postulated as a possible microbial driver in Crohn’s disease (CD), however, targeting these bacteria with precision in IBD remains challenging.^3,4 Most antibiotics have broad-spectrum activity and disturb the background microbiome, which may exacerbate inflammation.⁵ Attention has shifted towards bacteriophages, yet their underlying mechanisms of treating IBD, and how they may work as an adjunctive therapy, remains elusive.

Aims & Methods

We aimed to assess whether and how phage therapy, specific for a CD-associated bacterium, reduces colitis severity using gnotobiotic mouse models.
In vitro kill curves and biofilm challenges were used to identify lytic phage candidates. Adult germ-free C57BL/6 mice were colonized with altered Schaedler-flora (ASF) and E. coli NRG857c (NRG), a CD-associated isolate. After 3 weeks, mice were treated with an NRG-specific lytic phage (1x10⁹ PFU/dose; daily or TIW) or vehicle (PBS) for 2 weeks (n=6/group) and then exposed to 1 cycle of dextran sulfate sodium (2%; DSS) in drinking water. PBS-treated mice (n=6) not exposed to DSS served as controls. Phage treatment was also tested in a spontaneous model of colitis using C57BL/6NTac-Il10^em8Tac (IL-10^-/-) mice, treated weekly. Mice were monitored daily for weight, stool consistency, and occult blood. Fecal contents were cultured to determine bacterial load, and the expression of NRG fimS was quantified using qPCR as an assessment of virulence. At endpoint, colon tissues were collected for histological and immunohistochemistry analysis to quantify colitis severity and NRG infiltration, respectively. Additional C57BL/6 mice were colonized and treated as previously described. During colitis induction, mice received a low-dose of budesonide (2μg/day)⁶ (n=5) or vehicle (n=5) until endpoint. Mice were monitored daily for disease activity and colon tissues were collected for histological analysis. HPLC was used to determine active budesonide levels.

Results

HER259 was identified as a lytic phage against CD-associated AIEC NRG. In ASF and NRG colonized mice, HER259 reduced clinical symptoms (p< 0.001, p< 0.001) and histological scores (p< 0.0001, p< 0.001) in chemical induced and spontaneous colitis, respectively. A 1-log reduction in NRG bacterial load was observed in HER259-treated mice (p< 0.001). Reisolated NRG exhibited a reduced FimS ON/OFF ratio (p-value < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced infiltration of NRG into the lamina propria following HER259 treatment, with greater accumulation in the epithelium. HER259 treatment increased the efficacy of a sub-therapeutic dosing regimen of budesonide (p< 0.001), which was independent of microbial-based drug metabolism as determined by HPLC.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that lytic phage targeting a CD-associated bacterium attenuates colitis in two gnotobiotic mouse models. The intervention did not lead to complete eradication of the disease-driving agent, but instead modulated bacterial virulence mechanisms and enhanced responses to corticosteroid therapy. The data suggests that alternative mechanisms should be considered when translating phage therapy to treat IBD in clinical trials.

References

1. Yan, Y. et al. Commensal bacteria promote azathioprine therapy failure in inflammatory bowel disease via decreasing 6-mercaptopurine bioavailability. Cell Rep Med 4, 101153 (2023).
2. Nagayama, M., Gogokhia, L. & Longman, R. S. Precision microbiota therapy for IBD: premise and promise. Gut Microbes 17, 2489067 (2025).
3. Darfeuille-Michaud, A. et al. High prevalence of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli associated with ileal mucosa in Crohn’s disease. Gastroenterology 127, 412–421 (2004).
4. A, D.-M. et al. Presence of adherent Escherichia coli strains in ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn’s disease. Gastroenterology 115, 1405–1413 (1998).
5. Nelson, R. L., Suda, K. J. & Evans, C. T. Antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3, (2017).
6. Bercik, P. et al. Chronic gastrointestinal inflammation induces anxiety-like behavior and alters central nervous system biochemistry in mice. Gastroenterology 139, (2010).

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Gut Microbiota IBD

Submission format

Abstract

Session

New tales of the gut microbiome: From profiling to new therapies

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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The endoscopy nurse's guide to the GI galaxy

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The endoscopy nurse's guide to the GI galaxy

Anastasia Tsalouka 1

Affiliations

1 University General Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece

Summary

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Abstract

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Nurses

Session

ESGENA: Opening Session

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Bluesky

Interfering substances effect endoscope reprocessing

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Interfering substances effect endoscope reprocessing

Annette Rittich 1

Affiliations

1 None, Hamburg, Germany

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Abstract

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Nurses

Session

Hygiene: Update 2025

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

Eleni Kyvelou

TARGETED PHAGE INTERVENTION IMPROVES BACTERIAL-DRIVEN COLITIS AND RESPONSE TO TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS BY ATTENUATING VIRULENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

Elena Verdu

The endoscopy nurse's guide to the GI galaxy

Anastasia Tsalouka

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Annette Rittich

How to handle the frail

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The usefulness of target trial emulations to enhance the field of Gastroenterology

Louise Emilsson

UEG Presentation

Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Bluesky

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How to handle the frail

Jonas Halfvarson 1

Affiliations

1 Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

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Abstract

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

IBD Nurses Paediatrics Primary Care

Session

IBD across all ages

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

More Like This:

The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

Eleni Kyvelou

TARGETED PHAGE INTERVENTION IMPROVES BACTERIAL-DRIVEN COLITIS AND RESPONSE TO TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS BY ATTENUATING VIRULENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

Elena Verdu

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Anastasia Tsalouka

Interfering substances effect endoscope reprocessing

Annette Rittich

How to handle the frail

Jonas Halfvarson

The usefulness of target trial emulations to enhance the field of Gastroenterology

Louise Emilsson

UEG Presentation

Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Bluesky

The usefulness of target trial emulations to enhance the field of Gastroenterology

This content is part of Gutflix. Log in with your myUEG account, or create one free, to watch it.

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The usefulness of target trial emulations to enhance the field of Gastroenterology

Louise Emilsson 1

Affiliations

1 County Council of Värmland, Värmlands, Sweden

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Abstract

Event

UEG Week Berlin 2025

Topics

Mechanisms & Personalised Medicine Standards & Guidelines

Session

The art of making clinical research precise: Options for study design

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2025; 13 (Supplement 8)

Published

2025

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The use of the modified Aldrete score for the assessment of recovery after gastrointestinal endoscopy

Eleni Kyvelou

TARGETED PHAGE INTERVENTION IMPROVES BACTERIAL-DRIVEN COLITIS AND RESPONSE TO TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS BY ATTENUATING VIRULENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

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Interfering substances effect endoscope reprocessing

Annette Rittich

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The usefulness of target trial emulations to enhance the field of Gastroenterology

Louise Emilsson

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