The purpose of this study was to count the number of lymphatic channels present in colorectal adenocarcinoma and correlate it with site, size, and stage of tumor, lymph node metastasis.
Visceral pentastomiasis in humans is caused by the larval stages (nymphs) of the arthropod-related tongue worms Linguatula serrata, Armillifer armillatus, A. moniliformis, A. grandis, and Porocephalus crotali. The majority of cases has been reported from Africa, Malaysia, and the Middle East, where visceral pentastomiasis may be an incidental finding in autopsies, and less often from China and Latin America. In Europe and North America, the disease is only rarely encountered in immigrants and long-term travelers, and the parasitic lesions may be confused with malignancies, leading to a delay in the correct diagnosis. Since clinical symptoms are variable and serological tests are not readily available, the diagnosis often relies on histopathological examinations. This laboratory symposium focuses on the diagnosis of this unusual parasitic disease and presents its risk factors and epidemiology.
Most methods used in double esterase cytochemistry for the diagnosis and classification of acute myeloid leukaemias require double incubation and staining, using separate coupling reagents. We evaluated a method by Swirsky on our normal and abnormal blood and bone marrow smears where only a single incubation and the use of a single coupling reagent is required. Its short incubation period and its strong positive reaction for butyrate esterase in demonstrating cells of monocytic lineage gives it an advantage over the conventional double incubation technique.
Four zoonotic parasites, Sarcocystis spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spp. and Taenia spp were screened in exotic meats. A total of forty-six (n=46) meat samples from various species of exotic animals were received from all the 14 states in Malaysia from January 2012 to April 2012. All exotic meat samples were examined macroscopically and histologically for the four zoonotic parasites. Results by histological examination of exotic meats showed the presence of Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma cysts at 8.7% (n=4) and 4.3% (n=2) respectively. No Trichinella spp. and Taenia spp. were found.
In this study, we have generated terahertz (THz) frequency by a novel design of microring resonators for medical applications. The dense wavelength-division multiplexing can be generated and obtained by using a Gaussian pulse propagating within a modified PANDA ring resonator and an add/drop filter system. Our results show that the THz frequency region can be obtained between 40-50 THz. This area of frequency provides a reliable frequency band for THz pulsed imaging.
Deep penetrating nevus (DPN) is a variant of melanocytic nevus which goes unrecognized due to its relative rarity and may be misinterpreted as malignant melanoma. It commonly presents in young adults as a dark pigmented lesion on the face, neck, or shoulder. A 60-year-old lady presented with a mole over the left arm of 8 years duration. A biopsy of the lesion was performed under the clinical impression of a compound nevus with suspicion of malignancy. Based on the histologic features, a diagnosis of DPN was put forward.
Disseminated sporotrichosis is uncommon and usually occurs in patients who are immunodeficient. Here we describe a male patient who was otherwise in good physical condition, who presented with disseminated sporotrichosis. The only significant event in his past medical history was lepromatous leprosy which had been treated 42 years earlier.
To compare the efficacy of three different tissue stains, namely haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for detection of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) trophozoites in abscessed liver tissues of hamster.
1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supposedly unpleasant physical treatment on broiler performance, small intestinal development and ameliorating role of probiotics. 2. The following treatments were applied from day one: (1) chicks exposed to normal human contact fed basal diet (control); (2) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet (UPT-BD); and (3) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus (UPT-BDL). Chicks were exposed to UPT from days 1 to 21. Different segments of gastrointestinal tract were sampled at 14, 28, 35 and 42 d of age. 3. Broilers of UPT-BD had lower feed consumption compared with control group at 7 d of age. Overall, UPT-BDL birds showed higher body weight gain (BWG) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the course of the experiment. 4. Birds of UPT-BD had lower concentrations of lactic, propionic and butyric acids in the caecum as compared with other groups at 14 d of age. Acetic acid concentration was profoundly decreased in both UPT groups compared to the control. 5. Duodenal villus height of UPT-BD broilers showed a slight reduction compared to the control and UPT-BDL birds at 14 d of age. Afterwards until day 42, UPT-BDL birds showed the highest villus height among treatments in different parts of the small intestine. 6. The results suggested that, even though UPT did not have significant inhibitory effects on the development of the small intestine and broiler performance, it negatively affected bacterial metabolic end products in the caecum, which could be ameliorated by the addition of Lactobacillus.
Parasite infestation of the testicular tunica and spermatic cord by filariae are rarely reported and may present with few clinical signs, depending upon the stage. Occasionally, it may mimic a testicular tumor. We present a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with left testicular swelling and discomfort for 4 months. Clinical examination and imaging suggested an intrascrotal cystic lesion with a normal left testis. However, the intraoperative findings revealed a tumor-like mass; hence, a left orchidectomy was performed. However, histopathology reported a diagnosis of a cystic testicular tunica and spermatic cord with parasite infection. Here, we review the literature of scrotal and testicular parasite disease and discuss the course of the appropriate management involved.
Introduction: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a clonal haematological neoplasm characterised by proliferation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow resulting in impairment normal cell development in bone marrow. This leads to anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. AML primarily affects older adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years but is also seen in all other age groups. AML is recognized as a kind of cancer with marked heterogeneity in both biology of the cells and reactions to treatment. Treatment with intensive chemotherapy regi-mens of adult AML patients who are ≤ 60 years old results in hematologic remission in about 35% of patients, but at least 30% of these patients will experience a relapse. Mechanism leading to early relapse is still unclear. Leukaemia stem cell (LSC) is shown to correlate with poor prognosis. Biomarkers such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and CD34+CD38- have been identified as potential LSC biomarkers in previous studies. The objective of this study is to examine the expression of such markers for LSC and determine the association. Methods: Peripheral blood or bone marrow samples from untreated, newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemias of all age, gender and race were collect-ed from Hospital Melaka and Kelang. Diagnosis of AML is based on WHO classification which include morphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping and cytogenetics. Mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow aspirate samples by gradient density centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque. Immunophenotyping using CD13, CD14, CD33, CD34, CD38 and ALDH were carried out to identify the presence and proportion of the various populations of inter-est. Results: There was a strong, positive correlation between ALDH and CD34+CD38- cell population, which was statistically significant (rs = 0.5989, p< 0.05). Conclusion: The strong correlation of ALDH activity and CD34+CD38- expression supported the potential of these biomarkers to identify LSCs cell in AML patients. However, due to the heterogeneity of AML, further studies using more markers and larger sample size are needed to determine the validity and to correlate with disease-free survival rate of AML patients.
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis seen mainly in tropical regions. While malignant transformation rarely occurs, the present report describes a 69-year-old man with a 21-year history of chromoblastomycosis complicated by invasive squamous cell carcinoma requiring amputation of the affected limb. A review of previous reported cases shows malignancy arising after 20-30 years of infection in ≥60-year-old males who have received inadequate treatment of chromoblastomycosis and have had relapses. An immunocompromised state is not an associated feature of such cases. The extremities are commonly affected as carcinomas occur from the most chronic lesions which are generally found on these limbs.
An adult female Sumatran rhinoceros was observed with a swelling in the left infraorbital region in March 2017. The swelling rapidly grew into a mass. A radiograph revealed a cystic radiolucent area in the left maxilla. In June 2017, the rhinoceros was euthanized. At necropsy, the infraorbital mass measured 21 cm × 30 cm. Samples of the infraorbital mass, left parotid gland, and left masseter muscle were collected for histopathology (Hematoxylin & Eosin, Von Kossa, Masson's trichrome, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, EMA, p53, and S-100). Numerous neoplastic epithelial cells showing pleomorphism and infiltration were observed. Islands of dentinoid material containing ghost cells and keratin pearls were observed with the aid of the two special histochemistry stains. Mitotic figures were rarely observed. All the neoplastic odontogenic cells and keratin pearls showed an intense positive stain for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, while some keratin pearls showed mild positive stains for S-100. All samples were negative for p53 and S-100 immunodetection. The mass was diagnosed as a dentinogenic ghost cell tumor.
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has a pleiotropic role either as a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine in inflammatory related diseases. The role and involvement of IL-27 during malaria was investigated and the effects of modulating its release on the production of major inflammatory cytokines and the histopathological consequences in major affected organs during the infection were evaluated. Results showed that IL-27 concentration was significantly elevated throughout the infection but no positive correlation with the parasitaemia development observed. Augmentation of IL-27 significantly elevated the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 whereas antagonising and neutralising IL-27 produced the opposite. A significant elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6) was also observed, both during augmentation and inhibition of IL-27. Thus, it is suggested that IL-27 exerts an anti-inflammatory activity in the Th1 type response by signalling the production of IL-10 during malaria. Histopathological examination showed sequestration of PRBC in the microvasculature of major organs in malarial mice. Other significant histopathological changes include hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the Kupffer cells in the liver, hyaline membrane formation in lung tissue, enlargement of the white and red pulp followed by the disappearance of germinal centre of the spleen, and tubular vacuolation of the kidney tissues. In conclusion, it is suggested that IL-27 may possibly acts as an anti-inflammatory cytokine during the infection. Modulation of its release produced a positive impact on inflammatory cytokine production during the infection, suggesting its potential in malaria immunotherapy, in which the host may benefit from its inhibition.
Fungal osteomyelitis is a rare opportunistic infection. It exhibits some clinical and radiological similarities to several other bone pathologies. A diagnostic delay may result in significant increase in morbidity. We report a case of a 37-year-old man with underlying hypogammaglobulinaemia presented with isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the femur.
Leukaemic stem cells have heterogenous differentiation potential. The immunophenotypes of blast cells are usually consistent throughout the disease course even at relapse. Rarely, blast cells may undergo a ‘lineage switch’ during the course of disease especially during relapse. We would like to highlight such a case in a 10- year old boy who presented with a two weeks history of lethargy, poor appetite, low grade fever, respiratory distress, cardiac failure, generalized oedema and hepatosplenomegaly. Full blood count showed a leucocyte count of 41.5x10 9 /L and platelet count of 37x10 9 /L. The peripheral blood film showed presence of numerous blast cells. Bone marrow aspiration revealed a hypercellular marrow, which consisted of mainly blast cells with high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio and inconspicuous nucleoli. Immunophenotyping and cytochemistry results were consistent with the diagnosis of Tcell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The patient achieved remission after treatment with UK ALL 97 protocol, regime B chemotherapy. However, he relapsed seven months after the initial diagnosis with 26% blast cells in the bone marrow aspirate. The majority was L1 blast cells admixed with some L2 blast cells. Immunophenotyping was consistent with common precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The treatment was changed to a more lineage specific chemotherapy. Nonetheless, the patient never achieved remission and was planned for palliative management. This case illustrated a unique and rare case of rapid lineage switch from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia to common precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Histochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase activity in microfilariae gives sufficiently characteristic and consistent results for the differentiation of even closely related species. No difference could be detected among nocturnally periodic, nocturnally subperiodic and diurnally subperiodic Brugia malayi, but they could readily be distinguished from B. pahangi. Similarly, Dirofilaria repens could be readily distinguished from D. immitis and B. booliati from B. sergenti. The enzyme distribution pattern of a Malaysian rural strain of Wuchereria bancrofti was different from those of other regions.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of P. multocida B:2, a causative agent of haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) in cattle and buffaloes, is considered as the main virulence factor and contribute in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent studies provided evidences about the involvement of the nervous system in pathogenesis of HS. However, the role of P. multocida B:2 immunogens, especially the LPS is still uncovered. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the role of P. multocida B:2 LPS to induce pathological changes in the nervous system. Nine eight-month-old, clinically healthy buffalo calves were used and distributed into three groups. Calves of Group 1 and 2 were inoculated orally and intravenously with 10 ml of LPS broth extract represent 1 × 10(12) cfu/ml of P. multocida B:2, respectively, while calves of Group 3 were inoculated orally with 10 ml of phosphate buffer saline as a control. Significant differences were found in the mean scores for clinical signs, post mortem and histopathological changes especially in Group 2, which mainly affect different anatomic regions of the nervous system, mainly the brain. On the other hand, lower scores have been recorded for clinical signs, gross and histopathological changes in Group 1. These results provide for the first time strong evidence about the ability of P. multocida B:2 LPS to cross the blood brain barrier and induce pathological changes in the nervous system of the affected buffalo calves.