GI Insights

Researchers have developed an oral vaccine utilizing probiotics and, in preclinical studies, have found it successful in providing immunity against anthrax. Why are probiotics a good delivery component, and why might this method encourage a greater degree of response than the traditional vaccine injection? Dr. Mansour Mohamadzadeh, associate professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells host Dr. Jay Goldstein about this new vaccine delivery method. Will oral vaccines soon be ready for clinical trials?

Gastroenterologists and pathologists often rely on each other to care for patients. How can clinicians and pathologists best facilitate each other's work for the good of the patient? Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery, professor of pathology and oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explores the interaction between gastroenterologists and pathologists with host Dr. Jay Goldstein. Also, Dr. Montgomery outlines biopsy tips for gastroenterologists.

How does delayed gastric emptying, or gastroparesis, affect patients? What are some of the common comorbid conditions of gastroparesis, and why are women and diabetic patients more susceptible? Dr. Linda Lee, clinical director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology and director of the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, reviews the best gastroparesis diagnostic tools and management strategies with host Dr. Jay Goldstein.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects a significant number of patients and can be challenging to treat. How might antibiotic therapy benefit IBS patients, and how is antibiotic therapy a unique option for treating IBS? Should physicians empirically treat IBS patients with antibiotics? Joining us to debate these questions are Dr. William Chey, professor in the department of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, and Dr. Mark Pimentel, associate professor of medicine at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Mark DeLegge hosts.

Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular, but is there any substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Are there any potential risks to IBS and IBD patients using probiotic therapy? Which probiotic strains might be most beneficial, and what dosage is optimal? Dr. Charles Bernstein, director of the University of Manitoba Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Centre, explores these and other questions, and suggests physicians might want to be cautious when considering probiotic therapy for their patients. Hosted by Dr. Mark DeLegge.

The causes of pancreatitis are often unknown, but we're learning that there are more potential causes than previously believed. Genetic causes are rare, but their detection has improved with new technology. What role might genetic testing play in correctly diagnosing and managing the condition? And what are the ramifications of genetic testing for the patient? Dr. Alphonso Brown, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Pancreas Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, joins host Dr. Mark DeLegge to discuss the application of genetics for patients with pancreatitis.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects a significant number of patients and can be challenging to treat. How might antibiotic therapy benefit IBS patients, and how is antibiotic therapy a unique option for treating IBS? Should physicians empirically treat IBS patients with antibiotics? Joining us to debate these questions are Dr. William Chey, professor in the department of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, and Dr. Mark Pimentel, associate professor of medicine at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Mark DeLegge hosts.

Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular, but is there any substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Are there any potential risks to IBS and IBD patients using probiotic therapy? Which probiotic strains might be most beneficial, and what dosage is optimal? Dr. Charles Bernstein, director of the University of Manitoba Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Centre, explores these and other questions, and suggests physicians might want to be cautious when considering probiotic therapy for their patients. Hosted by Dr. Mark DeLegge.

The causes of pancreatitis are often unknown, but we're learning that there are more potential causes than previously believed. Genetic causes are rare, but their detection has improved with new technology. What role might genetic testing play in correctly diagnosing and managing the condition? And what are the ramifications of genetic testing for the patient? Dr. Alphonso Brown, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Pancreas Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, joins host Dr. Mark DeLegge to discuss the application of genetics for patients with pancreatitis.

What unique perspectives can gastroenterologists offer to help manage and treat obesity, and how can gastroenterologists address the needs of their obese or overweight patients? When should a surgical bypass or lap-band procedure be considered? Host Dr. Jay Goldstein welcomes his GI Insights co-host, Dr. Mark DeLegge, to discuss the role of the gastroenterologist in preventing and treating obesity. You can access the AGA’s new materials about nutrition and obesity on the AGA's website, including The Nutrition Toolkit Series, authored by Dr. DeLegge