Background: The overall incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is higher among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The nature of this disease association is unknown but likely involves an altered gut microbiome and impaired host immune responses. Studies on CDI in IBD patients have yielded variable and conflicting results on outcome measures such as [...]

Background: Readmission among Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) inpatients is common, as is opioid use. Opioid use for IBD has been associated with an increased risk of infection and death, but inconsistently with readmissions. Increasingly, cannabis is viewed as a potentially safer alternative to opioids, though with limited study of potential adverse outcomes such as hospital [...]

Case Presentation: A 62-year-old male patient with a history of heart transplant nine years ago on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) presented for chronic diarrhea with increasing frequency, urgency, incontinence, sporadic melena, and fevers. He tested positive for Clostridium difficile (C. diff) toxin and improved on fidaxomicin. Soon after discharge, he required rehospitalization for worsening symptoms. A [...]

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old HIV positive male presented with one week of rectal pain and bloody diarrhea. He was found to have bright red blood in vault on rectal examination. Laboratory studies were concerning for a leukocytosis with left shift, an elevated CRP (>80 mg/dl), and a positive fecal calprotectin. His CT scan demonstrated circumferential [...]

Case Presentation: A 29-year-old man with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis (both diagnosed at age 15) was admitted to the hospital with a month-long history of hematochezia complicated by anemia and kidney injury. Historically, the patient’s AIH and UC was managed with an immunosuppressive medley; however, the patient had not used any medications within the [...]

Case Presentation: A 47-year-old male with a history of untreated ulcerative colitis (UC) presented to the emergency department with a two-week history of jaundice, malaise, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, and tan-colored stools. Vital signs were normal. Physical exam was remarkable for epigastric tenderness, sclera icterus and jaundice. Relevant laboratory findings revealed total bilirubin of [...]

Case Presentation: A 29-year-old male with a past medical history of uncomplicated bio-naïve mild ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosed on a recent colonoscopy on oral mesalamine 4.8 grams/day presented to the hospital for acute onset central chest pain two weeks after initiation of therapy. The character of the chest pain was sharp, worsening with deep inspiration, [...]