Top stories in gastroenterology: Fecal microbiota transplantation may treat ulcerative colitis, H. pylori exposure could protect against eosinophilic esophagitis

Among the top gastroenterology stories last week were a study that found fecal microbiota transplantation suspensions prepared anaerobically may serve as a viable treatment option for ulcerative colitis and a meta-analysis that suggested exposure to Helicobacter pylori could be protective against the development of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Other highlights include a study that revealed childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease may be a more aggressive form of the disease than if it first occurred during adulthood, a meta-analysis that found using multiple doses of Remicade led to better colectomy-free outcomes for patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis and research that demonstrated there has been a drop in surgical resections in pediatric patients with increased use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Anaerobically prepared fecal microbiota transplantation may be an effective ulcerative colitis treatment

Fecal microbiota transplantation suspensions prepared anaerobically could be an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, according to research published in JAMA. Read more.

H. pylori exposure protects against eosinophilic esophagitis

Exposure to Helicobacter pylori could be protective against the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, according to a meta-analysis published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Read more.

Childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease may be a more aggressive form of disease

Insight into immunomodulator and biologic use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease might reveal differences between childhood- and adult-onset disease, according to research published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Read more.

Multiple Remicade doses produce better colectomy-free survival in ulcerative colitis

Using multiple doses of Remicade as salvage therapy for acute severe ulcerative colitis produced better colectomy-free outcomes for patients at 3 months, according to results of a meta-analysis. Read more.

Rise of anti-tumor necrosis factor means less resections in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Since anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy for inflammatory bowel disease was introduced, there has been a significant drop in surgical resections in pediatric patients, according to research published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Read more.