Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN) is a rare, chronic granulomatous inflammation that leads to diffuse destruction of the renal parenchyma. This destructive process may be so profound as to infiltrate surrounding tissues and viscera. Although nephrectomy remains the most common option for managing XGPN in adults, we report a case of XGPN in a horseshoe kidney of a 27-year-old woman on active immunosuppressive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, namely ulcerative colitis. This case was successfully treated conservatively with antimicrobials, with complete resolution of the renal mass and improvement in the general condition and inflammatory markers.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, has traditionally been considered a disease of Western, industrialized countries. Over the past few decades, however, many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have experienced significant increases in cases. Yet, IBD remains highly neglected in SSA with most research conducted in high-income settings and treatment guidelines geared towards these settings. An emerging body of research on the sub-continent is highlighting several unique realities, dilemmas, and priorities facing IBD, and the need for evidence-based approaches that are more locally relevant and contextually tailored. In this viewpoint article we synthesize the challenges facing IBD in SSA and propose a research and practice agenda for addressing these, building on several promising initiatives already under way. Ultimately, we make a call to the international IBD community, researchers, funders, and policymakers to recognize the importance of IBD in SSA and join efforts to remedy global disparities in the quality, accessibility, and equity of IBD care.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the colon. Among its extraintestinal complications, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare yet potentially life-threatening emergency that can manifest as headaches, seizures, and/or neurological deficits. This review aims to characterize the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and management strategies for CVST in UC patients. A comprehensive search of case reports and series yielded 1,156 studies, of which 39 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 47 patients were identified; the majority of whom were adult males (33.3%) and commonly presented with headaches (67.4%). Multi-symptom presentations were more prevalent in adults (66%; p  = 0.038) and were often associated with UC flare-ups (56.4%). Patients with multiple symptoms had a higher frequency of straight and sphenoid sinus involvement compared with those with an isolated symptom ( p  < 0.001). Anemia was correlated with poorer clinical outcomes ( p  = 0.009). Computed tomography (CT) was the most frequently used initial imaging modality, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was more sensitive. Anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin, alongside endovascular thrombectomy in select cases, was effective in improving outcomes. This review underscores the importance of early recognition, MRI-based imaging, and timely anticoagulation to improve outcomes in UC-associated CVST.

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), a heterogeneous group of disorders, are characterized by chronic inflammation and subsequent organ damage, encompassing diverse conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These chronic diseases mainly stem from inappropriate or excessive immune responses. In recent years, the incidence of IMIDs has been increasing. Considering their frequent association with various complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, metabolic disorders, and high-level disabilities, IMIDs have emerged as a major medical challenge. Proanthocyanidins (PCs), also known as condensed tannins, are among the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet. Owing to their health-protective activities, they have attracted extensive research interest. These compounds are commonly found in plants, including fruits, nuts, bark, chocolate, wine, as well as some plant seeds and flowers. A multitude of studies have demonstrated that PCs possess a wide range of pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory action, immune regulation, cardiovascular benefits, and antineoplastic effects. It has been demonstrated that PCs, as natural plant compounds, are safe and rare of notable adverse effects. Their extensive range of biological activities has facilitated their applications in treating various IMIDs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse biological activities of PCs and their favorable roles in common IMIDs, while also elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved in IMIDs.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1572906.].

Purpose To characterize the clinical presentation, disease course, and outcomes of patients with concurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and celiac disease (CeD), including those with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Retrospective EHR analysis (MGB RPDR, BIDMC Celiac Center, All of Us) identified patients with confirmed PSC and CeD (ICD-10, encounter threshold > 1, validated clinically/serologically/histologically). Primary outcomes were hepatic complications and time to liver transplantation, compared against two 3:1 age-matched cohorts (PSC + IBD, n = 54; PSC-only, n = 54). Results Among 7.5 million patients in RPDR, 18,375 had CeD and 992 had PSC, with 13 observed cases of overlap versus 2.43 expected (OR 5.35, 95% CI 3.08-9.30; p < 0.001). Eighteen patients met full inclusion criteria (67% male, 94% White, mean age 47.8 years at PSC diagnosis). IBD was present in 72%, predominantly Ulcerative Colitis (56%). With high gluten-free diet adherence (89%), hepatic complications occurred in 89% of patients, with cirrhosis in 50%. Liver transplantation was required in 22%, at a mean of 5.4 years from PSC diagnosis among transplants with dated intervals, with no post-transplant PSC recurrence observed among the 4 transplanted patients. Compared with matched PSC + IBD (n = 54) and PSC-only (n = 54) control cohorts, liver transplantation was numerically more frequent in the PSC + CeD cohort than in either control cohort, though this difference did not reach significance (22.2% vs 5.6% vs 13.0%; chi-square p = 0.127). Conclusion PSC and CeD co-occur at a significantly higher frequency than expected, suggesting shared autoimmune pathogenic mechanisms. The substantial hepatic complication burden and frequent IBD co-occurrence highlight the clinical importance of this overlap and the need for multidisciplinary management and routine autoimmune screening in affected patients. Matched-cohort comparisons further suggest a numerically elevated, though not statistically significant, risk of liver transplantation in PSC + CeD patients relative to PSC + IBD patients without celiac disease, alongside a significantly elevated risk of cirrhosis and PSC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap.

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is a key noninvasive imaging modality for the diagnosis and longitudinal assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease. The global burden of IBD is increasing, with millions affected in North America and Europe and rapidly rising incidence in Asia and Africa. Standardized acquisition protocols improve consistency and diagnostic accuracy. As therapeutic options expand and patient outcomes improve, MRE interpretation has evolved beyond detection toward disease phenotype characterization and prognostic indicator assessment. Integration of MRE findings with updated disease activity indices and response criteria is essential to guide clinical decision-making in contemporary IBD care.