The Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2020 ePosters and ePapers site opens on Saturday, May 2. We’re looking forward to sharing this year’s new and exciting digestive disease research. Below is a preview for a few selected abstracts. We’ll be refreshing the content on DDW News during the original dates of #DDW2020 to bring you summaries of cutting-edge science.
Abstract 1144: Fecal microbiota transplant for multi-drug-resistant organisms: Improved clinical outcomes beyond intestinal decolonization
Benjamin Mullish, MD, clinical lecturer in the division of digestive diseases, Imperial College London, England
Researchers explored the use of fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) in extremely ill patients, who, during the course of extensive medical care, became infected with drug-resistant bacteria to determine whether the procedure could help remove the organisms from the patients’ bodies. The findings showed that FMT resulted in multiple clinical benefits, including shorter hospital stays, fewer bloodstream infections and infections that were easier to treat.
Abstract Mo1507: Prevalence of suspected toxic alcohol fatty liver disease (TAFLD) in World Trade Center first responders: Findings from the World Trade Center health program
Mishal Reja, MD, resident physician in internal medicine, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Researchers conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 243 World Trade Center first responders referred for gastrointestinal symptoms and found nearly 83% of first responders had toxin-associated fatty liver disease associated with chemical or occupational exposure, compared to 24 to 45% in the general population.
Abstract 439: Cigarette smoke exposure promotes cancer progression through gut microbial dysbiosis
Prateek Sharma, MD, post-doctoral associate, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL
Researchers explored the connection between the gut microbiome and cigarette smoke exposure with the progression of cancer in mice and found that depleting the gut microbiome with antibiotics prevented smoke-induced cancer progression compared to mice that were not treated. The study provides novel insights into how smoking, the gut-microbiome and the immune system interact to influence cancer progression.
