Anti-intrinsic Factor Antibodies Research Articles

A Case of Subacute Combined Degeneration as a Manifestation of Pernicious Anaemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency affects multiple systems, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, producing a vast spectrum of neurological symptoms. It is particularly important due to its insidious presentation and because it can evolve to spastic paraplegia with permanent sequelae. The authors describe a case of a woman with asthenia, bilateral lower limb weakness, urinary retention, and faecal incontinence, with no structural cause on imaging studies. Blood tests showed anaemia (haemoglobin: 6.8 g/dL) and vitamin B12 deficiency (<100 pg/mL). After upper digestive endoscopy compatible with chronic atrophic gastritis and positive for anti-intrinsic factor antibodies was obtained, the diagnosis of subacute combined degeneration due to vitamin B12 deficiency in the context of pernicious anaemia was admitted. Although this entity is a rare cause of myelopathy, it is a frequent manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency. Clinical suspicion is fundamental since the reversibility of the neurological lesion is dependent on early treatment.

Five Autoimmune Gastritis Patients with Positive Findings of Serum Anti-parietal Cell Antibodies

Autoimmune gastritis is a corpus-dominant type of gastritis with positive serum anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA) and/or anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Serum APCA and pepsinogen (PG) assays were performed in subjects with corpus-dominant gastritis detected by endoscopy. Serum APCA was positive in five patients. All these patients were postmenopausal women (four Koreans and one Caucasian from the Russian Federation) with a mean age of 59.0±3.2 years. They displayed low PG I levels ranging from 8.1 to 18.8 ng/mL (mean, 11.4±4.8 ng/mL) and low PG I/II ratios ranging from 0.7 to 2.4 (mean, 1.2±0.7). Three of the patients were being treated for autoimmune thyroiditis. Multiple gastric neuroendocrine tumors were observed in two Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-naive patients with high serum gastrin levels exceeding 700 pg/mL and serum chromogranin A levels exceeding 1,000 ng/mL. In the remaining three patients, intestinal metaplasia was observed in the biopsied specimens from the antrum, suggesting a history of H. pylori infection. Our findings indicate the value of positive serum APCA findings, low serum PG I levels, and low serum PG I/II ratios in confirming autoimmune gastritis in patients showing corpus-dominant atrophy, regardless of their H. pylori infection status.

Schmidt’s Syndrome Presenting as Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Adrenal Crisis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction: Schmidt’s Syndrome, is a rare endocrine disorder defined by the combined occurrence of Addison disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. The rarity of the condition and the presentation of adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism often lead to misdiagnosis with life-threatening consequences for the patients. We report a case presenting with adrenal insufficiency and diabetic ketoacidosis who was diagnosed with Schmidt’s Syndrome. Case Description: We describe the case of a 38-year-old male with a past medical history of hypothyroidism, who was admitted for worsening abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fevers, and chills. Physical exam revealed underweight male with marked dehydration, diaphoresis, in moderate abdominal pain. Initial vital signs and laboratory panel raised suspicion for adrenal insufficiency and diabetic ketoacidosis. Blood pressure 82/42mmHg, HR of 121, sodium 128mmol/L, potassium 6.8mmol/L, chloride 104mmol/L, bicarbonate 5mmol/L, BUN 20mg/dl, Creatinine 1.5mg/dl, Glucose 402mg/dl, TSH 60, and serum osmolality 319mosm/kg. The electrolyte derangements and vital signs improved after the initiation of the high-dose steroids and insulin. The patient was transitioned to a regimen of hydrocortisone/ fludrocortisone, levothyroxine, and insulin basal/bolus and was discharged in clinically stable conditions to follow up with an endocrinologist. Discussion: The prevalence of Schmidt’s syndrome is 1:20,000 in the general population and a 3:1 ratio of females to males. Autoimmune thyroid disease is present in 70–75%, T1DM in 40–60%, and Addison’s disease in 40–50%. This syndrome can be associated with other non-endocrine autoimmune disorders, such as vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and primary antiphospholipid syndrome. The initial step in diagnosis should be checking serum morning cortisol levels to identify adrenal insufficiency. Autoimmune antibodies play an important role to confirm the diagnosis including 21-hydroxylase, 17-hydroxylase, thyroid peroxidase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet cells, anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, parietal cell, and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Currently, treatment is limited to hormone replacement in patients with organ failure. But it is crucial to replace corticosteroids before starting thyroid replacement in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Conclusion: A high level of diagnostic suspicion is required for the diagnosis of Schmidt’s syndrome when encountering a patient with autoimmune disease. The diagnosis of this syndrome is often delayed, causing adverse events. With this case presentation, we add to the data pool of Schmidt’s syndrome with the ability to significantly improve patients outcomes with early diagnosis and hormone replacement.

P77 Management of vitamin B12 deficiency in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Do all patients need to come in?

IntroductionNot all causes of vitamin B12 deficiency require intramuscular hydroxocobalamin (IMH). NICE guidance states that diet-related deficiency can be treated orally, but pernicious anaemia must be excluded via anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (anti-IFAB). Our aim was to audit the management of B12 deficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic when reducing footfall is vital. Then, implement staff education strategies to improve adherence to guidance.MethodsData for patients who received IMH from March-June 2020 was retrospectively analysed for: full blood count (FBC), B12, folate and anti-IFAB levels. These patients were sent letters to have blood tests for the missing investigations. Results were presented at meetings and flowchart-posters were distributed. Audit was closed with prospective data for patients who requested IMH from September-October 2020.ResultsFrom 46 patients identified, 82.6% had B12 and folate checked prior to therapy commencement, but 23.7% had an untreated folate deficiency. 79.3% of patients receiving IMH had never been tested for anti-IFAB; none of those tested were positive. A lack of awareness of the NICE guidance was identified as a key cause for non-adherence. Following the intervention, all 34 patients were appropriately investigated. Out of these, 8.8% had positive anti-IFAB levels and following a review of their clinical histories, all patients were commenced on appropriate therapy.DiscussionIMH can have great benefit; but it is invasive, has financial and nursing-time implications, and increases the risk of contagion via footfall in the practice. Thus, this multi-cycle audit shows that appropriate investigations prior to commencing therapy is key.

The profile of autoimmunity in Type 1 diabetes patients.

Background:Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder caused by pancreatic β-cells destruction. Anti-pancreatic antibodies are the witness of β-cell destruction and their dosage is mainly used for etiological diagnosis. Patients with T1DM are at increased risk of developing other autoimmune reactions, which may involve other organs, resulting in organ specific autoimmune disease. The most frequently encountered are autoimmune thyroid disease, followed by celiac and gastric disease and other rare autoimmune diseases.Objectives:The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of autoimmune markers in patients with T1DM.Methods:The study was conducted at the Department of Endocrinology of the Military Hospital Moulay Ismail in Meknes Morocco, from January 2016 to December 2018. All Type 1 diabetes patients consulting during the study period were included in the study. Their clinical and biochemical data were collected at their first presentation, made up of anti-pancreatic antibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] antibody, tyrosine phosphatase antibody, and islet cell antibody) and other organ-specific antibodies: the thyroid (antithyroid peroxidase antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, and antithyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody), the intestine (IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody), the adrenal gland (anti-21 hydroxylase antibody), and the stomach (antigastric parietal cell antibody and anti-intrinsic factor antibody).Results:Fifty-four patients were included, with an average age of 26 years. GAD, tyrosine phosphatase, and islet cell antibodies were detected in 74%, 22%, and 3.7%, respectively, of the 54 patients examined. The prevalence of extrapancreatic autoimmunity was 45% with a large preponderance among different immunities of those from thyroid and celiac diseases (CDs).Conclusion:Our results confirm that patients with Type 1 diabetes should be investigated for the presence of autoimmune diseases mainly from thyroid and CDs.

A Case of Pernicious Anaemia with Psoriasis

Pernicious anaemia often poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the clinician. Herein, we representing a 55 years old lady who presented with anaemia along with its classical symptoms and features of peripheral neuropathy due to Pernicious anaemia associated with Psoriasis and Arthropathy without any association of other autoimmune disorder. She had all objective evidences of autoimmune atrophic gastritis in gastric fundic biopsy and positive anti-intrinsic factor antibody. Treatment with injection vitamin B12 improved the condition rapidly.
 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 15, No 2 (December) 2019: 243-245

Abstract 1053: Associations of anti-parietal cell and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies with gastric cancer risk

Abstract Background: Autoimmune gastritis is an alternative etiology of gastric carcinogenesis. This mechanism may be an increasingly important cause of gastric cancer with waning prevalence of its primary etiologic factor, chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. However, autoimmune gastritis is an infrequent clinical diagnosis. We hypothesized that gastric autoantibodies may reflect subclinical autoimmune gastritis and predict prospective gastric cancer risk. Methods: We conducted nested case-control studies within two Finnish population cohorts of young females (Finnish Maternity Cohort [FMC], age 16-48, birth years 1938-1989) and older males (Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study [ATBC], age 50-69, birth years 1917-1939). There were 526 and 457 age-, sample time-matched gastric cancer case-control pairs from FMC and ATBC, respectively. Antibodies to parietal cells (APCA), intrinsic factor (AIFA) and H. pylori were measured in serum collected at baseline using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for autoantibody associations using conditional logistic regression. Results: The median time intervals from baseline to cancer diagnosis were 17 years for FMC and 11 years for ATBC. 45% of FMC and 80% of ATBC were H. pylori seropositive. APCA seropositivity in FMC (14%, cases and controls combined) was significantly associated with increased gastric cancer risk among H. pylori seronegative (ORs 4.77 [95% CI 2.81-8.08]) but not H. pylori seropositive individuals (ORs 2.09 [0.91-4.78]). In analyses by anatomic subsite, the APCA association among H. pylori seronegatives was strongest for corpus cancers (OR 17.97 [6.92-46.63]). APCA seropositivity in ATBC (8%) was unassociated with gastric cancer regardless of H. pylori serostatus or anatomic subsite. AIFA seropositivity was 2% in both cohorts. Conclusion: Our findings of APCA associations with gastric cancer risk in young females and corpus subsite align with increasing cancer incidence trends for these groups. Low APCA prevalence in older male smokers may explain the lack of a cancer association in this setting. Stronger associations in H. pylori seronegative individuals supports our hypothesis of autoimmune gastritis replacing H. pylori as the driving factor for the unexpected increases of gastric cancer in certain populations. APCA has potential utility as a predictor of gastric cancer risk, but AIFA may be too rare for clinical application in asymptomatic individuals. Citation Format: Minkyo Song, M. Constanza Camargo, Hormuzd A. Katki, Stephanie J. Weinstein, Demetrius Albanes, Heljä-Marja Surcel, Charles S. Rabkin. Associations of anti-parietal cell and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies with gastric cancer risk [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1053.

Clinicopathological features of autoimmune gastritis

Objective: To study the clinicopathological characteristics and pathologic diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis. Methods: Fourteen biopsies of autoimmune gastritis were collected from January 2018 to March 2019 at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Their clinical data, histological features and immunohistochemical (IHC) results were analyzed, with review of relevant literature. Results: All 14 patients' ages ranged from 41 to 79 years (mean 55 years). There were 12 females and 2 males. All patients had non-specific symptoms, but they all had positive serum anti-parietal cell antibody and/or anti-intrinsic factor antibody. Seven patients had variable degree of anemia. Two patients had concomitant H. pylori infection. Two patients presented with multiple protruding polyps in corpus/fundus, 0.2 to 0.9 cm in diameter, or multiple large lobulated and broad based polyps (0.8 to 3.5 cm in diameters). The former cases were diagnosed as type 1 neuroendocrine tumors, the latter were multiple hyperplastic polyps. Microscopically, autoimmune gastritis showed typical morphology, characterized by diffuse corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis with variable proportions of intestinal metaplasia, or pseudopyloric metaplasia, pancreatic, acinar metaplasia, foveolar hyperplasia and hyperplasia of the endocrine-like cells (ECL cells). Hyperplasia of ECL cells often needed IHC staining to confirm. CgA/Syn IHC stain highlighted linear and micronodular ECL cell hyperplasia. In the absence of concurrent or past H. pylori infection, the antrum was usually normal. Gastrin IHC stain showed hyperplasia of gastrin-producing cells (G cells) in the antrum. Two cases were in the early phase, six were in florid phase, and six were end phase. Conclusions: Most patients of autoimmune gastritis have non-specific symptoms or are asymptomatic and show various endoscopic findings. There are three histologic phases of autoimmune gastritis. Recognition of this entity would be beneficial for pathologists to avoid misdiagnosis. Pathologists can make preferred diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis depending on the histologic clues and prompt appropriate and timely management for the patients.

Case Report: Simultaneously diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma and pernicious anemia – a classic association

Primary gastric cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Often patients remain asymptomatic until it is detected at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Thus, it’s characteristically difficult to initially diagnose until it becomes late stage, at which point prognosis becomes poor. Pernicious anemia is a classic risk factor for the development of primary gastric cancer, but is uncommonly seen in clinical practice. Over time, patients who produce the autoantibodies to intrinsic factor that cause pernicious anemia typically will present initially with clinically significant megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy. However, patients can also present with more nonspecific signs and symptoms. Thus, clinicians should remain vigilant as circulating anti-intrinsic factor antibodies only worsen the disease over time and increase the risk of developing primary gastric cancer. This report not only presents the rare concurrent diagnosis of pernicious anemia and gastric cancer, but also aims to increase clinical awareness of these two conditions’ classic association because early diagnosis and treatment significantly impacts morbidity and mortality.

Paciente con anemia perniciosa y cambios comportamentales

La anemia perniciosa es una patología hematológica caracterizada por anemia con volumen corpuscular medio alto, secundaria a la incapacidad del organismo para absorber la vitamina B 12 por deficiencia de factor intrínseco. Se puede deber a la destrucción de las células parietales o la presencia de anticuerpos contra este factor, disminuyendo los valores séricos de cianocobalamina y alterando la síntesis de ADN y ARN. Dado que compromete las 3 líneas celulares, pueden tener variedad de síntomas clínicos. Las principales manifestaciones se dan en los sistemas nerviosos centrales, periféricos y gastrointestinales. El diagnóstico se basa en el hallazgo de cifras bajas cianocobalamina, anormalidades de la mucosa gástrica por atrofia, la cual debe confirmarse con biopsia. Se describe el caso de un paciente femenino de 68 años de edad con cambios de comportamiento en sus funciones cognitivas, hemograma con evidencia de pancitopenia con anemia, volumen corpuscular medio elevado, así como niveles bajos de vitamina B12 y una endoscopia que mostraba gastritis eritematosa crónica atrófica. Se inicia suplencia con vitamina B 12 con posterior recuperación completa de sus funciones cognitivas y cambios comportamentales.

Role of Pernicious Anemia in Patients Admitted to Internal Medicine with Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Oral Replacement Therapy as a Treatment Option.

To determine the role of vitamin B12 deficiency in pernicious anemia and the efficacy of oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy given regardless of the etiology, and to compare the endoscopic and pathological findings in patients diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. The study included 216 patients, aged 18 - 65 years, diagnosed with vitamin B12 level < 200 pg/mL between May 2015 and May 2016. Evaluation was made of the demographic characteristics of the patients, diseases, drugs used, dietary habits, previous use of vitamin B12 replacement therapy, family history of vitamin B12 deficiency, laboratory test values, and neurological symptoms present at the time of presentation. Endoscopy was applied to all the patients included in the study. Anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) and anti-intrinsic factor antibody (AIFA) analyses were applied to all patients. Evaluation was made of a total of 216 patients diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, comprising 145 (67.1%) females and 71 (32.9%) males. The mean vitamin B12 level of the patients was determined as 127 pg/mL at the time of presentation and 334 pg/mL after treatment. APCA positivity was determined in 40 (18.5%) patients, and AIFA positivity in 5 (2.3%) patients. Atrophy was determined endoscopically in 53 (24.5%) patients and pathologically in 90 (41.7%). Helicobacter pylori positivity was determined in 196 (90.7%) patients. A diagnosis of pernicious anemia (PA) was made in 4 (1.9%) patients (patients with AIFA positivity or APCA accompanied by corpus atrophy). APCA positivity was determined but not corpus atrophy in 36 (16.7%) patients and these cases were accepted as suspected pernicious anemia. In this study of 216 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, stomach pathologies which could cause vitamin B12 deficiency (atrophic gastritis, HP, PA) and the responses to oral replacement therapy were investigated. As vitamin B12 absorption plays a role in the pathogenesis. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to atrophic gastritis, and this was determined with biopsy in 41.7% of the patients. APCA positivity was determined in 18.5% of the patients investigated with respect to autoimmune atrophic gastritis (pernicious anemia) and AIFA positivity in 2.3%. A diagnosis of PA was made in 4 (1.9%) patients from autoimmune marker positivity and the presence of corpus atrophic gastritis. HP was determined in 90.7% of the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, and although no correlation was determined between HP and atrophy, HP positivity was determined in 84 (93.3%) of the patients with pathological atrophy. From the time of diagnosis, the patients in the study were prescribed 1,000 µg/day vitamin B12. At the 40-day follow-up examination, a significant increase was observed in the vitamin B12 levels of 92.5% of the patients. At the end of the study, as oral replacement therapy was seen to be effective to a great extent, even in patients with PA, it was concluded that for patients not responding to oral replacement therapy, it would be appropriate to apply parenteral vitamin B12 treatment. In developing countries such as Turkey, the role of HP infection in vitamin B12 deficiency must be kept in mind. The incidence of atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia is higher than expected in vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus, it can be concluded that it is appropriate to investigate patients with vitamin B12 deficiency with respect to atrophic gastritis and PA, and oral replacement therapy should be the first stage in the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Profile of Biermer’s Disease at the Medical Clinic II Abass Ndao Hospital Center: About 57 Colliged Cases

Introduction: Biermer’s disease is an autoimmune cause of anemia characterized by malabsorption of vitamin B12. It is often accompanied by other autoimmune pathologies. The objective was to study its profile in patients followed in the internal medicine department of the Abass Ndao hospital center. Methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study of patients followed for Biermer’s disease from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019 (5 years). Results: 57 cases were collected, an incidence of 5.4 in the internal medicine department. The sex ratio was 0.58, an average age of 56.4 years. The circumstances of discovery were dominated by anemic syndrome (87.7%), dermatological (33.3%), digestive (29.8%), neurological (20%) pathologies. The specific signs to Biermer’s disease were digestive manifestations in 70.2% (including 30% Hunter’s glossitis), neurological manifestations in 36.8% (including 17.5% paresthesias), palmoplantar melanoderma in 68.4%. The mean hemoglobin level was 6.8 g/dL with a mean corpuscular volume of 110.7 fl. The myelogram reported megaloblastosis in 100% of the cases. The mean serum vitamin B12 level was 100 pg/ml. The anti-intrinsic factor antibody assay performed in 50 patients was positive in all cases. Upper digestive endoscopy showed an aspect of fundic atrophy in 69%. Histology showed intestinal metaplasia in 2 patients. An autoimmune disease was associated in 21% of cases. All patients had received treatment with vitamin B12 (51 patients took intramuscularly and 6 oral treatment). The course was favorable in all cases with a complete correction of the anemia. Conclusion: Biermer’s disease is a reality in Senegal. Its clinical and biological characteristics can be superimposed on the data in the literature. His prognosis under treatment is good whatever the route of administration of vitamin B12.

Prevalence of Autoimmune Gastritis in Individuals Undergoing Medical Checkups in Japan.

Objective Based on both endoscopic findings and serum auto-antibody levels, we determined the prevalence of autoimmune gastritis (AIG), which has not been previously reported, in individuals who underwent health checkup examinations in Japan. Methods At total of 6,739 subjects (4,288 males, 2,451 females; mean age 52.1 years) underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination as part of an annual medical checkup. Those suspected to have AIG based on endoscopic evidence of proximal-predominant gastric mucosal atrophy were further examined for the presence of anti-parietal cells and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies, with a final diagnosis of AIG made in cases found to be positive for either or both of those factors. Results Of the 6,739 examined subjects, 46 were suspected to have AIG based on the endoscopic findings, of whom 33 were finally diagnosed with AIG, for an overall prevalence 0.49% (females 0.65%, males 0.40%). Seven with AIG also had thyroid disease, including Hashimoto's and Basedow disease, while none with AIG showed anemia in blood test findings. The prevalence of AIG was not different regardless of the H. pylori infection status (negative, positive, post-eradicated). Conclusion In individuals who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination as part of an annual checkup in Japan, the prevalence of AIG was 0.49%. We concluded that it is not uncommon for asymptomatic and healthy individuals to have AIG, and propose that additional studies are needed to clarify its prevalence as well as to establish the criteria used for diagnosis.

Radiographic Diagnosis of Diphyllobothriasis: Hiding in Plain Sight

2482 Figure 1. Axial, coronal, and sagittal CT images depicting a curvilinear filling defect in the small bowel concerning for intestinal tapewormDiphyllobothriasis is diagnosed by identification of proglottids in the stool or by direct endoscopic visualization of a worm. We describe a case in which an intestinal tapeworm is stumbled upon via abdominal imaging. An 80 year smoker with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis presented to a VA gastroenterology clinic for dyspepsia unresponsive to H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. He reported 3 months of progressive abdominal fullness, bloating, intermittent loose stools, and anorexia leading to 20-25 pounds of weight loss. Physical exam showed conjunctival pallor and mild abdominal distension. A CBC demonstrated macrocytic anemia. Vitamin B12 level was 90pg/ml (nl 213-816 pg/ml). Serum anti-parietal cell and antiintrinsic factor antibodies were negative, and serum gastrin and folate levels were normal. He refused endoscopy. Contrasted CT of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a curvilinear filling defect from the proximal jejunum through most of the visualized small bowel. Three stool ova and parasite (O&P) samples were collected; two demonstrated proglottids characteristic of Diphyllobothrium. His symptoms resolved after a dose of praziquantel (10mg/kg), and repeat stool O&P after one month proved eradication. The frequency of parasite detection via stool O&P has been reported at ˜20% when examining a single sample, compared to ˜50% when two or more are examined. Likewise, examining two or more specimens increases the sensitivity from 75% to 92%. Uniquely, the initial hint of a parasite in our patient was found via imaging. Radiographic findings of intestinal tapeworms are rare, and CT in the presence of known infection does not always demonstrate a parasite. The first two cases of tapeworm visualization via capsule endoscopy were recently reported. The focused differential for this elderly smoker with dyspepsia and weight loss included peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal malignancy. Screening labs for gastrinoma and pernicious anemia were negative. This patient did not report typical risk factors for diphyllobothriasis, including travel to endemic regions and raw fish consumption. After the patient refused endoscopy, CT revealed distinctive findings concerning for intestinal tapeworm, confirmed by observation of proglottids in the stool. Macrocytic anemia in the setting of weight loss and dyspepsia requires a workup for malabsorption, malignancy, and, though rare, parasitic infection.

胃，十二指腸粘膜に著明な好酸球浸潤を伴ったA型胃炎の1例

A 53-year-old woman with Hashimoto’s disease visited our clinic because of abnormality in the gastric barium examination. In blood biochemistry, IgE RAST of wheat was positive ; H. pylori IgG antibody and pepsinogen were classified into group D of the ABC screening method. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed chronic gastritis with reverse atrophy. Histopathological findings showed eosinophil infiltration of more than 20 / HPF in the gastric and duodenal mucosa, endocrine cell micronest with chromogranin A staining. Additionally, hyper gastrinemia and anti-parietal cell antibody, anti-intrinsic factor antibody were detected. Therefore, this case was diagnosed as type A gastritis accompanied by eosinophil infiltration in the gastric and duodenal mucosa Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and type A gastritis are still rare, but it is reported that type A gastritis is present in 25 % of group D of the ABC screening method, so type A gastritis is expected to increase by spread of the ABC screening method.

Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Patient with Pernicious Anemia

Introduction. Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has been associated with different autoimmune disorders. However, its association with pernicious anemia is rarely reported. Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented with blood in sputum and urine for one day. The vitals were stable. The physical examination was significant for icterus. Lab tests' results revealed leukocytosis, macrocytic anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. He had an elevated LDH, low haptoglobin levels with many schistocytes, nucleated RBCs, and reticulocytes on peripheral smear. Low ADAMTS13 activity (<10%) with elevated ADAMTS13 antibody clinched the diagnosis of severe acquired TTP, and plasmapheresis was started. There was an initial improvement in his hematological markers, which were however not sustained on discontinuation of plasmapheresis. For his refractory TTP, he was resumed on daily plasmapheresis and Rituximab was started. Furthermore, the initial serum Vitamin B12 and reticulocyte index were low in the presence of anti-intrinsic factor antibody. So with the concomitant diagnosis of pernicious anemia, Vitamin B12 was supplemented. The rest of the immunological workups were negative. Subsequently, his symptoms resolved and his hematological parameters improved. Discussion. While pernicious anemia can masquerade as TTP, an actual association between the two can also occur and needs further evaluation and characterization.

Deep vein thrombosis, an unreported first manifestation of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III.

SummaryA 71-year-old woman with severe right lower leg pain, edema and erythema was presented to the Emergency Department and was found to have an extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) confirmed by ultrasound. She underwent an extensive evaluation due to her prior history of malignancy and new hypercoagulable state, but no evidence of recurrent disease was detected. Further investigation revealed pernicious anemia (PA), confirmed by the presence of a macrocytic anemia (MCV=115.8fL/red cell, Hgb=9.0g/dL), decreased serum B12 levels (56pg/mL), with resultant increased methylmalonic acid (5303nmol/L) and hyperhomocysteinemia (131μmol/L), the presumed etiology of the DVT. The patient also suffered from autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), and both antithyroglobulin and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies were detected. She responded briskly to anticoagulation with heparin and coumadin and treatment of PA with intramuscular vitamin B12 injections. Our case suggests that a DVT secondary to hyperhomocystenemia may represent the first sign of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome III-B (PAS III-B), defined as the coexistent autoimmune conditions AITD and PA. It is important to recognize this clinical entity, as patients may not only require acute treatment with vitamin B12 supplementation and prolonged anticoagulation, as in this patient, but may also harbor other autoimmune diseases.Learning pointsA DVT can be the first physical manifestation of a polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.Hyperhomocysteinemia secondary to pernicious anemia should be considered as an etiology of an unprovoked DVT in a euthyroid patient with autoimmune thyroid disease.Patients with DVT secondary to hyperhomocysteinemia should undergo screening for the presence of co-existent autoimmune diseases in addition to treatment with B12 supplementation and anticoagulation to prevent recurrent thromboembolism.

Type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumor with unique endoscopic features

A 69-year-old man underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy EGD) for gastric cancer screening. EGD showed a reddish, semiedunculated polypoid lesion in the middle third of the stomach Fig. 1A). Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (MBI) revealed whitish exudates on the surface (Fig. 1B). Endoscopic ltrasonography (EUS) disclosed hyperechoic lesion in the subucosal layer (Fig. 1C). The patient was negative for anti-parietal ell and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Histological examination of he endoscopically resected specimen showed that the tumor was omposed of uniform cells with ovoid nuclei and eosinophilic cytolasm, proliferation of capillary-sized vessels and fibrin exudates ttached to the surface. The tumor had invaded deep submucosal ayer and was positive for chromogranin A (Fig. 2). The mitotic cells

Megaloblastic Erythropoiesis- An Incidental Finding in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) presents as a primary form characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia(platelet count < 100 × 109/L) in the absence of other causes or disorders that may be associated with thrombocytopenia, or a secondary form in which immune thrombocytopenia develops in association with another disorder that is usually immune or infectious. The diagnosis of ITP is usually a diagnosis by exclusion based on a demonstration of peripheral thrombocytopenia, with a history, physical examination, and complete blood count that do not suggest another cause for the thrombocytopenia ITP may affect individuals of all ages, with peaks during childhood and middle aged. Pallor was the most common clinical manifestation of ITP. The pathogenesis of ITP is complex, involving alterations in humoral and cellular immunity. Thrombocytopenia is caused by antibodies that react with glycoproteins expressed on platelets and megakaryocytes (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, Ib/IX and others), causing shortened survival of circulating platelets and impairing platelet production. Bone marrow examination done in most of the patients. Micro- normoblastic erythropoiesis found to predominate. Megaloblastic erythropoiesis found in 20.3% cases. Megaloblastic erythropoiesis- A finding which can be seen in vitamin B12 deficiency, Anti intrinsic factor or Anti gastric mural cell antibodies and may be associated with other disorders of autoimmunity, the most usual being autoimmune thyroid disorders, type I diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, post-partum hypophyseal necrosis, ulcerative colitis and vitiligo. The aim of this study is to correlate Bone marrow aspiration findings and possibility of autoimmunity with Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

An Unusual Presentation of Pseudothrombotic Microangiopathy in a Patient with Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis.

Introduction. We hereby describe the case of a young female patient who presented with pseudothrombotic microangiopathy, as well as pancytopenia accompanied by autoimmune atrophic gastritis. Case Presentation. A 36-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the emergency department with fatigue and dyspnea on minimal exertion. Physical examination was unremarkable except for pallor and noninjected conjunctiva. Laboratory tests revealed high LDH and low hemoglobin, white blood cells, platelets, and haptoglobin. The peripheral blood smear showed schistocytes suggestive of pseudothrombotic microangiopathy. Low cobalamin level and hyperhomocysteinemia were also detected. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis was confirmed by gastric biopsy and positive anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Vitamin B12 supplements were given which led to rapid recovery and normalization of blood parameters. Conclusion. This case highlights the importance and serves as a reminder to clinicians to rule out cobalamin deficiency and autoimmune atrophic gastritis in patients presenting with a picture suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and pancytopenia, which was completely reversible after appropriate replacement therapy without recurring to unnecessary and invasive procedures such as plasma exchange.