L Sanchez-Mete

Publications (3)3.05 Total impact

• Article: Helicobacter pylori diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

  L Sanchez-Mete, A Zullo, C Hassan, V Rinaldi, M S Magno, F Festuccia, S Morini, A F Attili
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: In cirrhotics, Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of peptic lesions, which are an important cause of upper intestinal haemorrhage in these patients. However, some diagnostic methods are not accurate for H. pylori detection in cirrhotics. The study assessed the accuracy of different diagnostic methods for H. pylori detection in cirrhotics with and without gastroduodenal lesions. The study population comprised of 53 cirrhotics. All patients underwent upper endoscopy: three biopsies were taken in the antrum and three in the gastric body. Four biopsies were used for Giemsa staining, while two were used for a rapid urease test. A blood sample was obtained for serology using Western blotting, and a [13C]urea breath test was performed in all patients. Histological assessment was regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was detected at histological assessment in 28 (52.8%) patients. The [13C]urea breath test, rapid urease test, and serology were positive in 27 (51%) patients, 23 (43.4%) patients, and 34 (64.1%) patients, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 92.9 and 96% for the [13C]urea breath test, 78.6 and 96% for the rapid urease test, and 78.6 and 52% for serology. The [13C]urea breath test is very accurate in cirrhotics, whilst both serology and the rapid urease test give disappointing results.
  Digestive and Liver Disease 09/2003; 35(8):566-70. · 3.05 Impact Factor
• Article: Cholelithiasis: genetic hypothesis.

  L Sanchez-Mete, A F Attili
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: In inbred mice gallstone susceptibility is determined by Lith (lithogenic) genes which promote cholesterol hypersecretion in bile as a response to a high-fat diet. At least three major classes of proteins can be considered as candidate genes: (a) enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism regulation; (b) trans-membrane carrier proteins from hepatocyte into bile; (c) cytosolic transfer proteins which regulate intrahepatocyte trafficking. The main candidates are: Spgp, a transmembrane protein which produces bile salt transport. Its gene map in Lith 1 region (Chromosome 2) and its expression is increased in susceptible inbred strains of mice (C57L) of inbred mice. Cmoat is a carrier protein that promotes the secretion of conjugated substances in bile. Its gene map in Lith 2 region (Chromosome 19) and its expression is increased in susceptible inbred strains of mice fed on a lithogenic diet. HGMR is the enzyme that regulates de novo synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Its activity increases in resistant strains fed on a lithogenic diet and unvaries in susceptible strains. Its gene does not reside in any Lith region, but one Lith gene could be responsible for its activity regulation. To date, the hypothesis of a genetic basis of cholelithiasis in men has only been investigated in one study, in which the association of cholelithiasis and a mutation in the C7AH gene was documented in a group of Mexican patients.
  Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica 04/2000; 46(1):45-55.
• Article: Helicobacter pylori diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis

  L Sanchez-Mete, A Zullo, C Hassan, V Rinaldi, M.S Magno, F Festuccia, S Morini, A.F Attili
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Background. In cirrhotics, Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of peptic lesions, which are an important cause of upper intestinal haemorrhage in these patients. However, some diagnostic methods are not accurate for H. pylori detection in cirrhotics.Aims. The study assessed the accuracy of different diagnostic methods for H. pylori detection in cirrhotics with and without gastroduodenal lesions.Methods. The study population comprised of 53 cirrhotics. All patients underwent upper endoscopy: three biopsies were taken in the antrum and three in the gastric body. Four biopsies were used for Giemsa staining, while two were used for a rapid urease test. A blood sample was obtained for serology using Western blotting, and a [13C]urea breath test was performed in all patients. Histological assessment was regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis of H. pylori infection.Results.H. pylori infection was detected at histological assessment in 28 (52.8%) patients. The [13C]urea breath test, rapid urease test, and serology were positive in 27 (51%) patients, 23 (43.4%) patients, and 34 (64.1%) patients, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 92.9 and 96% for the [13C]urea breath test, 78.6 and 96% for the rapid urease test, and 78.6 and 52% for serology.Conclusions. The [13C]urea breath test is very accurate in cirrhotics, whilst both serology and the rapid urease test give disappointing results.
  Digestive and Liver Disease.