Refractory celiac disease and sprue-like intestinal disease

Celiac disease is a gluten-dependent small intestinal mucosal disorder that causes malabsorption, often with diarrhea and weight loss. Diagnosis is based on detection of typical biopsy changes in the proximal small bowel, followed by evidence for an unequivocal response to a gluten-free diet. Refractoriness in celiac disease may be due to poor diet compliance, sometimes intentional, or consumption of ubiquitious sources of gluten. Alternatively, the original diagnosis may not be correct （eg., duodenal Crohn＇s disease）, or a second cause for symptoms may be present （eg., collagenous colitis, functional bowel disorder）. In some with recurrent symptoms, a complication may be present （eg., collagenous sprue, small bowel carcinoma, lymphoma）. In some, a response to a gluten-free diet can not be unequivocally defined, and more precise historical terms have been used including ＂sprue-like intestinal disease＂ or ＂unclassified sprue＂. Although a ＂wastebasket diagnosis＂, these likely represent a heterogeneous group, and some, but not all, may develop lymphoma. Precise definition will be critical in the future as an array of new treatments, including biological agents, may emerge.     

Collagenous sprue

Collagenous sprue is a small bowel mucosal lesion that has been historically associated with persistent diarrhea, progressive weight loss and severe malabsorption causing multiple nutrient deficiencies. A severe to variably severe mucosal lesion with distinct subepithelial collagen deposits occurs. Celiac disease has been intimately linked to collagenous sprue and, similar to celiac disease, small bowel ulceration, perforation and lymphoma may complicate the clinical course of collagenous sprue. In collagenous sprue, concomitant collagen deposits may also occur in gastric or colonic mucosal sites (or both), indicating that this unusual mucosal process may be very heterogeneous and far more extensive in the intestinal tract than previously appreciated. Moreover, reports of diagnosis during infancy suggest that the natural history of the disorder could be more prolonged than is currently appreciated. Finally, the collagen deposits, per se, may be due to different causes and, in some, even represent a novel paraneoplastic histopathological marker. Future studies are needed to more precisely define molecular and genetic biomarkers that identify homogeneous groups and permit the development of improved treatment strategies for this increasingly recognized disorder.     

Collagenous sprue associated with an extensive T-cell lymphoma

A 79-year-old woman developed collagenous sprue, a rare small intestinal mucosal disorder. Later, extensive T-cell lymphoma was documented, a neoplasm known to complicate celiac disease. Although the precise relationship of collagenous sprue to celiac disease has been debated and remains controversial, the findings here provide additional evidence that collagenous sprue and celiac disease are closely linked. In the past, long-term survival with collagenous sprue may have been compromised due to severe pan-malabsorption. With improved treatment measures, including modern nutritional support, it is likely that there will be an increased opportunity in future for improved appreciation of the complications of collagenous sprue, specifically, lymphoma.     

Spontaneous free perforation of the small intestine in adults

Spontaneous free perforation of the small intestine is uncommon,especially if there is no prior history of visceral trauma.However,free,even recurrent,perforation may complicate a defined and established clinical disorder,such as Crohn’s disease.In addition,free perforation may be the initial clinical presentation of an occult intestinal disorder,such as a lymphoma complicating celiac disease,causing diffuse peritonitis and an acute abdomen.Initial diagnosis of the precise cause may be difficult,but now has been aided by computerized tomographic imaging.The site of perforation may be helpful in defining a cause(e.g.,ileal perforation in Crohn’s disease,jejunal perforation in celiac disease,complicated by lymphoma or collagenous sprue).Urgent surgical intervention,however,is usually required for precise diagnosis and treatment.During evaluation,an expanding list of other possible causes should be considered,even after surgery,as subsequent management may be affected.Free perforation may not only complicate an established intestinal disorder,but also a new acute process(e.g.,caused by different infectious agents)or a longstanding and unrecognized disorder(e.g.,congenital,metabolic and vascular causes).Moreover,new endoscopic therapeutic and medical therapies,including use of emerging novel biological agents,have been complicated by intestinal perforation.Recent studies also support the hypothesis that perforation of the small intestine may be genetically-based with different mutations causing altered connective tissue structure,synthesis and repair.     

Complications of collagenous colitis

Microscopic forms of colitis have been described, including collagenous colitis. This disorder generally has an apparently benign clinical course. However, a number of gastric and intestinal complications, possibly coincidental, may develop with collagenous colitis. Distinctive inflammatory disorders of the gastric mucosa have been described, including lymphocytic gastritis and collagenous gastritis. Celiac disease and collagenous sprue （or collagenous enteritis） may occur. Colonic ulceration has been associated with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn＇s disease, may evolve from coUagenous colitis. Submucosal ＂dissection＂, colonic fractures or mucosal tears and perforation from air insufflation during colonoscopy may occur and has been hypothesized to be due to compromise of the colonic wall from submucosal collagen deposition. Similar changes may result from increased intraluminal pressure during barium enema contrast studies. Finally, malignant disorders have also been reported, including carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disease.     

Frequency of clonal intraepithelial T lymphocyte proliferations in enteropathy-type intestinal T cell lymphoma, coeliac disease, and refractory sprue

BACKGROUND: Clonal T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements and loss of T cell antigens such as CD8 and TCR-beta in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) may indicate the development of an enteropathy-type intestinal T cell lymphoma (EITCL) in patients with refractory sprue. AIMS: To define the diagnostic value of these markers in duodenal biopsies from patients with villous atrophy as a result of various underlying disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Duodenal biopsies from eight patients with coeliac disease and five patients with villous atrophy caused by defined disorders were compared with three patients with refractory sprue evolving into overt EITCL, two patients with ulcerative jejunitis, and with eight patients with overt EITCL, for expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, and TCR-beta in IELs using immunohistochemistry and for clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangements using polymerase chain reaction. In addition, biopsies from six consecutive patients with refractory sprue of uncertain cause were examined. RESULTS: Clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangements were found in all resected tumours of patients with EITCL, in 3/8 duodenal biopsies of patients with EITCL, in 2/2 patients with ulcerative jejunitis, in 2/3 patients with refractory sprue evolving into overt EITCL, and in 1/6 patients with refractory sprue. No rearrangements were found in biopsies from patients with refractory sprue caused by defined disorders or those with coeliac disease. Clonality in duodenal biopsies was associated with an abnormal phenotype of IELs in all cases and in all but one case in patients with evidence of underlying coeliac disease. Specificity for detection of an EITCL using immunohistology was 77% for CD8 and for TCR-beta staining, and 100% for detection of a clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangement. Sensitivity was 62% for staining with CD8 and clonality investigation, while sensitivity reached 100% for TCR-beta staining in all investigated patients with EITCL. CONCLUSIONS: Clonal proliferations of phenotypically abnormal IELs in refractory sprue represent an early manifestation of EITCL, for which the term "sprue-like intestinal T cell lymphoma" is proposed. This constellation is also found in duodenal biopsies from patients with an overt EITCL and is not related to other sprue syndromes, resulting in a high specificity for detection of an EITCL or refractory sprue evolving into EITCL. Overt EITCL may develop directly from coeliac disease without a precursor lesion (refractory sprue with clonal IELs) being demonstrable in duodenal biopsies or via a "sprue-like intestinal T cell lymphoma". This latter entity is a complication of coeliac disease.     

Histologic diagnosis of diseases of malabsorption

The diagnoses which may be arrived at by examination of peroral small bowel mucosal biopsy specimens are presented. Celiac sprue, unclassified sprue (refractory sprue), infectious gastroenterititis, stasis syndrome and kwashiorkor have a severe mucosal lesion. Other clinical conditions are required to establish the diagnosis in these diseases. A number of diseases have specific diagnostic features. Included are Whipple's disease, abetalipoproteinemia, collagenous sprue, primary intestinal lymphoma, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, giardiasis, coccidiosis, strongyloidiasis, lymphangiectasis and the intestinal immunodeficiency diseases. Mucosal abnormalities may be present in other diseases but the diagnoses are usually made on other criteria than small bowel biopsy. These include vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, Crohn's disease, gastrinoma, acrodermatitis enteropathica, amyloidosis, chronic granulomatous disease, lipid storage diseases, histoplasmosis, capillariasis, cytomegalovirus infection, schistosomiasis and macroglobulinemia.     

Refractory sprue syndrome with clonal intraepithelial lymphocytes evolving into overt enteropathy-type intestinal T-cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION: Recently, patients with refractory sprue have been shown to contain a clonal proliferation of phenotypically abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytes in their intestine. Whether this signifies early enteropathy-type intestinal T-cell lymphoma (EITCL) or a reactive condition is not clear. We report on a patient presenting with the findings of refractory sprue who subsequently developed overt EITCL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Duodenal biopsies from 1997 (refractory sprue) and duodenal and jejunal biopsies from 1998 (intestinal T-cell lymphoma) were compared by immunohistochemistry and PCR for the detection of T-cell receptor (TCR)-gamma gene rearrangements. Clonal PCR products were sequenced. RESULTS: The duodenal biopsies from both 1997 and 1998 and the jejunal tumor biopsy showed villus atrophy and an increase of intraepithelial lymphocytes with an abnormal immunophenotype (CD3+, CD4-, CD8- and TCR-beta-). In all duodenal specimens including the one from 1997, and the jenunal tumor biopsy, an identical clonal amplificate was detected by enzymatic amplification of the TCR-gamma gene. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that refractory sprue containing a clonal proliferation of phenotypically abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytes may represent an early manifestation of EITCL. The detection of immunohistochemical negativity for several antigens normally found on intraepithelial lymphocytes such as CD8 or the TCR-beta chain in combination with clonal T-cell populations by PCR may be helpful in identifying refractory sprue with a malignant transformation.     

Complete histological resolution of collagenous sprue.

A 65-year-old woman developed a watery diarrhea syndrome with collagenous colitis. Later, weight loss and hypoalbuminemia were documented. This prompted small bowel biopsies that showed pathological changes of collagenous sprue. An apparent treatment response to a gluten-free diet and prednisone resulted in reduced diarrhea, weight gain and normalization of serum albumin. Later repeated biopsies from multiple small and large bowel sites over a period of over three years, however, showed reversion to normal small intestinal mucosa but persistent collagenous colitis. These results indicate that collagenous inflammatory disease may be a far more extensive process in the gastrointestinal tract than is currently appreciated. Moreover, collagenous colitis may be a clinical signal that occult small intestinal disease is present. Finally, collagenous sprue may, in some instances, be a completely reversible small intestinal disorder.     

Refractory celiac disease

Celiac disease is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy, characterized by villous atrophy, which is reversed by gluten withdrawal. A minority of patients with celiac-like enteropathy are resistant to gluten-free diet, so-called refractory sprue, or unclassified sprue. Refractory sprue is a diagnosis of exclusion; all other causes of a celiac-like enteropathy must be eliminated before a diagnosis of refractory sprue can be made. Recent evidence suggests that refractory sprue comprises a heterogenous group of patients with diverse underlying causes. A small proportion of these patients seem to have an adult form of autoimmune enteropathy, characterized by the presence of antienterocyte antibodies. However, a larger group of patients with refractory sprue now seem to have a cryptic intestinal T-cell lymphoma, characterized by the presence of phenotypically abnormal, monoclonal intraepithelial lymphocytes, despite benign cytology. Current therapeutic options include nutritional support and immunosuppressive therapy, but response is variable. The prognosis of refractory sprue may be poor; patients may die of severe malabsorption, or through synchronous or metachronous development of an enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. Based on this recent evidence, patients with refractory sprue should be screened for antienterocyte antibodies and have T-cell receptor and monoclonal antibody studies performed; this could facilitate identification of cases of adult-onset autoimmune enteropathy and those of cryptic T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, early recognition of the malignant nature of the intestinal infiltrate in some cases of refractory sprue could permit the development of novel chemotherapeutic regimens for this condition.     

Multifocal small bowel lymphoma and latent celiac sprue

Malignant small intestinal lymphoma may complicate or antedate clinical recognition of celiac sprue, a disorder becoming increasingly diagnosed as a subclinical or occult disease. A 73-yr-old woman with previously resected jejunoileal lymphoma and normal proximal small bowel biopsy specimens was given a high-gluten diet containing 40 g of added gluten daily for 4 wk. This caused small intestinal biopsy abnormalities typical of celiac sprue; the abnormalities resolved 6 wk later with a gluten-free diet. This indicates that latent celiac sprue may be present in some patients with lymphoma and suggests that the association of celiac sprue and lymphoma may be more frequent than is currently appreciated.     

原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤临床特点分析

背景:原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤是一类起源于肠上皮内T淋巴细胞的恶性肿瘤,过去被称为“肠道恶性组织细胞增生症”,近年来发现这一疾病的本质是肠道T细胞淋巴瘤。该病临床表现复杂,病程进展迅猛,内镜和消化道钡餐检查很难确诊。目的:了解原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤的临床特点。方法:对仁济医院1994年9月～2004年9月6例原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤的病史资料进行回顾性分析。结果:本组原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤患者年龄34～73岁,男女比例为5∶1。病变多位于空、回肠,可有结肠累及。临床表现以腹痛、腹泻、发热、消瘦为主,部分患者并发肠穿孔、肠梗阻、消化道出血,无患者伴有乳糜泻。内镜下3例患者表现为溃疡病灶,术中见溃疡5例,肿块1例。1例患者经术前内镜活检病理检查确诊,5例由术后病理检查确诊,4例曾被误诊为炎症性肠病。淋巴瘤细胞的免疫表型为白细胞共同抗原(LCA)( )、CD45RO( )、CD3( )、CD30(-)。所有患者均接受手术治疗,部分结合术后化疗。3例患者于术后3个月内死亡。结论:不伴有乳糜泻是本组原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤的特点之一。患者的临床表现以一些非特异性症状为主,常被误诊为炎症性肠病。内镜活检和手术标本的病理学检查是目前确诊原发性肠道T细胞淋巴瘤的主要依据。该病预后极差。     

Primary abdominal lymphoma. Presenting manifestation of celiac sprue or complicating dermatitis herpetiformis.

In patients with celiac sprue the risk of having a primary abdominal lymphoma is increased. We have studied the lymphoma aspect of this celiac sprue-lymphoma relationship. During a four year period, seven patients with abdominal lymphoma were found on subsequent investigation to have celiac sprue or the closely linked disorder, dermatitis herpetiformis. Five of the patients had a small intestinal lymphoma, one had a gastric lymphoma and one had a retroperitoneal lymphoma. Histologically, six of the seven tumors were of a diffuse histiocytic type and one was undifferentiated. In four patients the ulcerating small intestinal lymphoma was initially misinterpreted as “benign ulcerative nongranulomatous jejunoileitis,” a condition also reported to complicate celiac sprue. In several patients the associated celiac sprue was clinically occult and could readily have been missed. The celiac sprue was fully responsive in five of the patients who were treated with a gluten-free diet. Our studies suggest that celiac sprue and abdominal lymphoma occur together more often than is currently appreciated. The frequency of this association may be overlooked for two reasons: the associated celiac sprue is sometimes mild and may remain undetected; and, early ulcerative intestinal lymphoma may be mistaken for “benign ulcerative nongranulomatous jejunoileitis.” Patients with abdominal lymphoma should be investigated for celiac sprue and for dermatitis herpetiformis because of the nutritional and pathogenetic implications.     

Small bowel malignant lymphoma complicating celiac sprue and the mesenteric lymph node cavitation syndrome

Malignant small intestinal lymphoma may complicate or antedate clinical recognition of celiac sprue. However, histologic diagnosis of lymphoma is made especially difficult in the presence of small bowel ulceration. A 70-yr-old man with celiac sprue and a history of dermatitis herpetiformis was initially seen for recurrent diarrhea; panmalabsorption with steatorrhea and protein-losing enteropathy were documented. Subsequent studies showed ectopic gastric mucosa in the small bowel, hyposplenism with mesenteric lymph node cavitation, and small bowel erosions and ulceration. Despite strong clinical suspicion for more than 2 yr, only 1 of 88 small bowel biopsy specimens was positive for lymphoma. At autopsy, shortly after histologic diagnosis of lymphoma, extensive small bowel involvement and infiltration were observed. This is the first report of lymphoma complicating the recently described nonneoplastic lymphoreticular syndrome associated with celiac sprue characterized by splenic atrophy and mesenteric lymph node cavitation.     

Flow cytometric analysis of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in the diagnosis of refractory celiac sprue

The etiology of refractory celiac sprue (RCS) is unclear. In a high proportion of cases, the clonal nature of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) can be demonstrated and a pathogenetic implication of intestinal IEL has been postulated. The prognosis of this subgroup of RCS is poor, with a high risk to develop an overt lymphoma and uncontrolled malabsorption despite steroid/immunosuppressive therapy. Cases with a relatively indolent clinical course, however, exist and their early diagnosis may be difficult. To gain insight into the pathogenic implication of intestinal IEL in refractory celiac sprue, we have performed an extensive phenotypic and functional characterization of clonal intestinal IEL in a patient with an indolent form of refractory celiac sprue, using multiparametric flow cytometry. The abnormal lymphocyte infiltrate lacked surface membrane expression of CD3/T-cell receptor (TCR) complexes (TCR(-), CD4(-), CD8(-), sCD3(-)), but contained intracellular CD3(epsilon) (CyCD3(+)) and surface CD103(+) and CD7(+). In particular, these cells showed a unique spontaneous ex-vivo cytokine secretion profile with an increased percentage of CD3(-) IEL containing TNF-alpha and IL-10, in the absence of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Altogether our results suggest that flow cytometry immunophenotyping of intestinal IEL, in cases suspected of celiac disease and their complicated forms, could be of great help in the correct diagnosis of RCS and the understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms of the disease and their clinical and/or therapeutical implications.     

肺部症状首发的肠病型T细胞淋巴瘤2例并文献复习

目的 提高对以肺部症状为首发的肠病型T细胞淋巴瘤的认识.方法 收集2例以肺部症状首发的肠病型T细胞淋巴瘤,并结合相关文献对其临床表现、诊断思路及治疗方法进行分析总结.结果 仅以肺部症状首发的肠病型T细胞淋巴瘤较为少见,不易诊断.临床表现主要为反复无规律性发热、咳嗽,后期可伴腹部症状(肠出血、肠穿孔).纤维支气管镜和经皮...     

T-cell intestinal lymphoma associated with celiac sprue

A patient with a long history of celiac sprue developed a pleomorphic intestinal lymphoma. Cell suspensions of tumor cells and immunoperoxidase labeling of cell surface antigens in frozen tissue sections clearly showed the lymphoma to be of T-cell origin, despite the presence of other nontumor cells bearing enzyme markers of histiocytes. These findings may have important implications on the cellular origin of lymphomas developing in patients with celiac sprue.     

Long-term natural history and complications of collagenous colitis

Microscopic forms of colitis have been described, including collagenous colitis, a possibly heterogeneous disorder. Collagenous colitis most often appears to have an entirely benign clinical course that usually responds to limited treatment. Sometimes significant extracolonic disorders, especially arthritis, spondylitis, thyroiditis and skin disorders, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, dominate the clinical course and influence the treatment strategy. However, rare fatalities have been reported and several complications, some severe, have been attributed directly to the colitis. Toxic colitis and toxic megacolon may develop. Concomitant gastric and small intestinal inflammatory disorders have been described including celiac disease and more extensive collagenous inflammatory disease. Colonic ulceration has been associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, may evolve directly from collagenous colitis. Submucosal ‘dissection’, colonic fractures, or mucosal tears and perforation, possibly from air insufflation during colonoscopy, have been reported. Similar changes may result from increased intraluminal pressures that may occur during radiological imaging of the colon. Neoplastic disorders of the colon may also occur during the course of collagenous colitis, including colon carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumours (ie, carcinoids). Finally, lymphoproliferative disease has been reported.     

Refractory sprue

Celiac disease is a T cell-mediated disorder that results from intolerance to gluten. The major cause of failure to respond to a gluten-free diet is continuing gluten ingestion. In poorly responsive patients diagnosis of refractory sprue can be established after exclusion of a limited number of conditions. Refractory sprue may occur after an initial response to the diet or without evidence of preexisting celiac disease. The detection of aberrant, clonally expanded, intraepithelial lymphocytes has led to better definition and classification of patients with refractory sprue. Only a few series of patients with well-characterized refractory sprue have been reported in the literature. The prognosis is poor, though some patients respond to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. The presence of an aberrant clonal intraepithelial T-cell population has led to the designation of refractory sprue as a cryptic intestinal T-cell lymphoma.     

Hyposplenism, antiendomysial antibodies and lymphocytic colitis in collagenous sprue.

A 66-year-old woman was seen repeatedly over a decade to remove recurrent colonic adenomas and investigate episodes of watery diarrhea. Although the diarrhea was believed to be due to lymphocytic colitis, she developed weight loss, hypoproteinemia and hyposplenism that resulted in further studies, specifically to exclude celiac disease. Small intestinal biopsies, however, showed severely 'flattened' villous architecture with trichrome-positive subepithelial collagenous deposits, characteristic of collagenous sprue. Antiendomysial antibodies, known serological markers of celiac disease, were also detected. While collagenous sprue has been considered a distinct small intestinal disorder, the constellation of clinical and pathological findings in this patient suggests a close link with adult celiac disease.