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Cureus Aug 2022is a rare chronic suppurative granulomatous disease caused by commensal bacteria of Actinomyces species. We report an unusual case of a 20-year-old male patient...
is a rare chronic suppurative granulomatous disease caused by commensal bacteria of Actinomyces species. We report an unusual case of a 20-year-old male patient presenting with pain and swelling to the right lower posterior teeth for a few months. Radiographs revealed a well-defined osteolytic lesion extending from the periapical region of the right mandibular first premolar to the right mandibular second molar. Based on the clinical history of symptoms, a presumptive diagnosis of more commonly appearing jaw lesions like odontogenic cyst/tumor was made. Incision biopsy resulted in an unexpected diagnosis of Actinomycosis, confirmed with Gram stain and Gomori's Methenamine Silver stain. The patient was treated with long-term antibiotics, and follow-up showed a positive response. This article emphasizes the role of histopathology in avoiding the misdiagnosis of such cases.
PubMed: 36134052
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28002 -
RMD Open Nov 2023Gout, as the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, necessitates the use of animal models to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in its development....
OBJECTIVES
Gout, as the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, necessitates the use of animal models to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in its development. Therefore, our objective was to develop a novel chronic mouse model of gout that more closely mimics the progression of gout in humans.
METHODS
A novel chronic mouse model of gout was established by a simple method, which does not require high technical proficiency, predominantly involves daily intraperitoneal injections of potassium oxonate for approximately 4 months, combined with a high fat-diet and injections of acetic acid into the hind paws to facilitate the formation of monosodium urate (MSU). Arthritis scores and paw oedema were assessed, behavioural tests were conducted, and histopathological and imaging evaluations of the arthritic paw joints were performed.
RESULTS
After 4 months of induction, mice in the model group exhibited noticeable increases in arthritis severity, joint and cartilage damage, as well as bone erosion. Gomori's methenamine silver stain revealed the presence of MSU crystal deposition or tophi in the paw joints or ankle joints of up to 37.9% of the model mice (11 out of 29 mice). Moreover, treatment with benzbromarone effectively prevented the further development of gout or tophi formation in model mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Our model more accurately replicates the pathological features of gouty arthritis compared with gout induced by MSU crystal injections. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for further investigations into the pathogenesis of gout and also serves as a valuable platform for screening potential antigout agents.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Arthritis, Gouty; Gout; Uric Acid; Gout Suppressants; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37973536
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003499 -
Indian Journal of Nephrology Jan 2014Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a serious complication of renal transplantation. It is a morphological expression of various etiological factors. In a renal...
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a serious complication of renal transplantation. It is a morphological expression of various etiological factors. In a renal allograft, TMA can occur de novo or be a recurrent disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the etiological factors and observe the changing trends of TMA with respect to emerging new etiological factors. We evaluated 131 graft biopsies over a period of 2½ years (2010-2012). All the renal biopsies were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded. Twenty serial sections were studied. Stains routinely used were Hematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff, Massons Trichrome and Silver Methenamine stains. C4d by immunohistochemical method was done on all graft biopsies. Incidence of TMA in our series was 9.1%. Out of the 12 cases, five were associated with calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, three were diagnosed as acute antibody-mediated rejection, and two were recurrent haemolytic uremic syndrome. One patient developed haemolytic uremic syndrome on treatment with sirolimus and one patient was cytomegalovirus positive on treatment with ganciclovir, developed haemolytic uremic syndrome during treatment course. This study describes a spectrum of etiological factors for thrombotic mciroangiopathy ranging from common cause like calcineurin inhibitor toxicity to rare cause like ganciclovir induced TMA.
PubMed: 24574627
DOI: 10.4103/0971-4065.125052 -
Medicine Jul 2015Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has poor prognosis in immunocompromised patients. Skin manifestations, when present, should contribute to an early diagnosis. The authors... (Observational Study)
Observational Study Review
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has poor prognosis in immunocompromised patients. Skin manifestations, when present, should contribute to an early diagnosis. The authors aimed to provide prevalence data and a clinical and histologic description of cutaneous manifestations of primary cutaneous IA (PCIA) and secondary CIA (SCIA) in a unique clinical series of IA and present the results of an exhaustive literature review of CIA. Cases of proven and probable IA with cutaneous manifestations were retrospectively extracted from those registered between 2005 and 2010 in a prospective multicenter aspergillosis database held by the National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Pasteur Institute, France. Patients were classified as having PCIA (i.e., CIA without extracutaneous manifestations) or SCIA (i.e., disseminated IA). Among the 1,410 patients with proven or probable IA, 15 had CIA (1.06%), 5 PCIA, and 10 SCIA. Hematological malignancies were the main underlying condition (12/15). Patients with PCIA presented infiltrated and/or suppurative lesions of various localizations not related to a catheter site (4/5), whereas SCIA was mainly characterized by disseminated papules and nodules but sometimes isolated nodules or cellulitis. Histologic data were available for 11 patients, and for 9, similar for PCIA and SCIA, showed a dense dermal polymorphic inflammatory infiltrate, with the epidermis altered in PCIA only. Periodic acid Schiff and Gomori-Grocott methenamine silver nitrate staining for all but 2 biopsies revealed hyphae compatible with Aspergillus. Aspergillus flavus was isolated in all cases of PCIA, with Aspergillus fumigatus being the most frequent species (6/10) in SCIA. Two out 5 PCIA cases were treated surgically. The 3-month survival rate was 100% and 30% for PCIA and SCIA, respectively. Our study is the largest adult series of CIA and provides complete clinical and histologic data for the disease. Primary cutaneous IA should be recognized early, and cases of extensive necrosis should be treated surgically; its prognosis markedly differs from that for SCIA. Any suppurative, necrotic, papulonodular, or infiltrated skin lesion in an immunocompromised patient should lead to immediate biopsy for histologic analysis and mycological skin direct examination and culture.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; France; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Skin; Young Adult
PubMed: 26131805
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001018 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2017Taphonomic processes affecting bone post mortem are important in forensic, archaeological and palaeontological investigations. In this study, the application of tissue...
Taphonomic processes affecting bone post mortem are important in forensic, archaeological and palaeontological investigations. In this study, the application of tissue microarray (TMA) analysis to a sample of femoral bone specimens from 20 exhumed individuals of known period of burial and age at death is described. TMA allows multiplexing of subsamples, permitting standardized comparative analysis of adjacent sections in 3-D and of representative cross-sections of a large number of specimens. Standard hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and silver methenamine, and picrosirius red staining, and CD31 and CD34 immunohistochemistry were applied to TMA sections. Osteocyte and osteocyte lacuna counts, percent bone matrix loss, and fungal spheroid element counts could be measured and collagen fibre bundles observed in all specimens. Decalcification with 7% nitric acid proceeded more rapidly than with 0.5 M EDTA and may offer better preservation of histological and cellular structure. No endothelial cells could be detected using CD31 and CD34 immunohistochemistry. Correlation between osteocytes per lacuna and age at death may reflect reported age-related responses to microdamage. Methodological limitations and caveats, and results of the TMA analysis of post mortem diagenesis in bone are discussed, and implications for DNA survival and recovery considered.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Matrix; Bone and Bones; Calcification, Physiologic; Endothelial Cells; Forensic Anthropology; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteocytes; Tissue Array Analysis
PubMed: 28051148
DOI: 10.1038/srep39987 -
National Journal of Maxillofacial... 2023Mucormycosis is a fatal fungal infection, which is rare but commonly affects immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were...
INTRODUCTION
Mucormycosis is a fatal fungal infection, which is rare but commonly affects immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were immunocompromised, due to comorbid conditions, such as hematological malignancy and diabetes mellitus (DM), and patients on immunosuppressive therapy such as steroid therapy were the important host for mucormycosis infection.
AIM
This study aimed to study the clinicopathological correlation of mucormycosis in post-COVID-19 patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, over four months from April 2021 to July 2021, and clinically diagnosed mucormycosis cases were included in this study. Clinical details, histology slides, and blocks were reviewed, and the data were analyzed. Three- to four-micrometer sections were taken from the blocks and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and two more slides were made for each case for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) staining.
RESULT
In this study, the maximum cases were above the fifth decade of life. Males were more commonly affected than females with a male-to-female ratio of 2.09:1. Of the total of 65 cases, 46 (70.77%) cases were positive for mucormycosis and 19 (29.23%) cases were negative on histopathological examination and special stain PAS and GMS. A significant correlation was found between mucormycosis-positive cases on steroid therapy and oxygen supply during the treatment for COVID-19 with P- values of 0.001 and 0.027, respectively.
CONCLUSION
For COVID-19 patients with altered glycemic control, receiving steroid therapy and oxygen supply poses a significant threat to the development of mucormycosis.
PubMed: 37661969
DOI: 10.4103/njms.njms_482_21 -
Clinical Nephrology. Case Studies 2023Malignant hypertension (mHTN) damages multiple target organs, including the kidneys. mHTN has been regarded as one of the causes of secondary thrombotic microangiopathy...
INTRODUCTION
Malignant hypertension (mHTN) damages multiple target organs, including the kidneys. mHTN has been regarded as one of the causes of secondary thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA); however, a high prevalence of complement gene abnormalities was recently reported in cohorts of mHTN.
CASE REPORT
We herein describe a 47-year-old male who presented with severe hypertension, renal failure (serum creatinine (sCr): 11.6 mg/dL), heart failure, retinal hemorrhage, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Renal biopsy findings were consistent with acute hypertensive nephrosclerosis. The patient was diagnosed with secondary TMA associated with mHTN. However, his previous medical history of TMA of unknown origin and family history of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) suggested as aHUS presenting mHTN, and genetic testing revealed a pathogenic C3 mutation (p.I1157T). The patient required plasma exchange and hemodialysis for 2 weeks and was able to withdraw from dialysis by antihypertensive therapy without eculizumab. Renal function gradually improved to a sCr level of 2.7 mg/dL under antihypertensive therapy for 2 years after the event. There was no recurrence, and renal function was preserved throughout a 3-year follow-up.
DISCUSSION
mHTN is a common presentation of aHUS. In cases of mHTN, abnormalities in complement-related genes may be involved in the development of the disease.
PubMed: 37143613
DOI: 10.5414/CNCS110901 -
Journal of Laboratory Physicians Jul 2014Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause of nephropathy in adults. The diagnosis is based on characteristic light microscopic, electron microscope and...
BACKGROUND
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause of nephropathy in adults. The diagnosis is based on characteristic light microscopic, electron microscope and immunofluorescence (IF) findings. In early MN, the light microscopic findings may be difficult to differentiate from minimal chain disease. In the absence of fresh frozen tissue for IF, immunohistochemistry with C4d aids in the diagnosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total 48 cases of MN diagnosed on renal biopsy were analyzed. The formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues were stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin stains along with periodic acid-Schiff and silver methenamine stains to highlight the basement membrane. Fresh frozen tissues were available for IF in 40 cases. Immunostaining with C4d was done on paraffin-embedded sections by polymer-Horse Radish Peroxidase (HRP) technique using polyclonal antiserum to C4d (Biogenex, India).
RESULTS
There were 25 cases of idiopathic MN, 17 cases of Class V lupus nephritis and 2 cases were secondary to hepatitis C infection with cirrhosis. The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) was diffusely thickened with formation of spikes in 28 cases. In 11 cases the capillary loops were rigid but spikes were not seen and in 9 cases there was no apparent thickening of the basement membrane. All the cases showed diffuse positivity for C4d along the GBM.
CONCLUSION
C4d is a reliable method to establish the diagnosis of MN and also a sensitive marker of complement activation reflecting the pathogenesis of MN.
PubMed: 25328330
DOI: 10.4103/0974-2727.141500 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Jul 2021Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often treated with antibiotics and are a source of antibiotic overuse. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often treated with antibiotics and are a source of antibiotic overuse.
AIM
To systematically review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adult women in the community with a history of recurrent UTIs and who use methenamine hippurate prophylactically.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Systematic review of women in the UK, Australia, Norway, and US (aged ≥18 years) with recurrent UTIs receiving methenamine hippurate against placebo or no treatment, and antibiotics.
METHOD
The authors searched three databases, clinical trial registries, and performed forward-backward citation analysis on references of included studies.
RESULTS
Six studies involving 557 participants were included (447 were analysed). Of the six studies, five were published and one was an unpublished trial record with results, three compared methenamine hippurate against placebo or control, and three compared methenamine hippurate with antibiotics. For the number of patients who remained asymptomatic, methenamine hippurate showed a non-statistically significant trend of benefit versus antibiotics over 12 months (risk ratio [RR] 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.40 to 1.07, 49%), versus control over 6 or 12 months (RR 0.56, 95% CI = 0.13 to 2.35, 93%), and a non-statistically significant trend versus any antibiotic for abacteruria (RR 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62 to 1.03, 23%). A similar non-statistically significant trend of benefits for methenamine hippurate for the number of UTI or bacteriuric episodes was found, and a non-statistically significant difference in the number of patients experiencing adverse events between methenamine hippurate and any comparator, with a trend towards benefit for the methenamine hippurate, was identified. Antibiotic use and resistance were not consistently reported.
CONCLUSION
There is insufficient evidence to be certain of the benefits of methenamine hippurate to prevent UTI. Further research is needed to test the drug's effectiveness in preventing UTIs and as an alternative for antibiotic treatment for UTI.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Female; Hippurates; Humans; Methenamine; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 34001538
DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2020.0833 -
Journal of Pathology and Translational... Sep 2017Histoplasmosis (HP) is diagnosed by visualizing intracellular microorganisms in biopsy and/or culture. Periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and Gomori methenamine silver (GMS)...
BACKGROUND
Histoplasmosis (HP) is diagnosed by visualizing intracellular microorganisms in biopsy and/or culture. Periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining methods are routinely used for identification. The acid-fast property of Histoplasma was identified decades ago, but acid-fast staining has not been practiced in current surgical pathology. Awareness of the acid-fast property of Histoplasma, which is due to mycolic acid in the cell wall, is important in distinguishing Histoplasma from other infective microorganisms. Here, we examined acid-fastness in previously diagnosed cases of Histoplasma using the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain and correlated those findings with other known fungal stains.
METHODS
All cases diagnosed as HP were retrieved and reviewed along with ZN staining and other fungal stains. We also stained cases diagnosed with Cryptococcus and Leishmania as controls for comparison.
RESULTS
A total of 54 patients ranging in age from 11 to 69 years were examined. The most common sites of infection were the skin, adrenal tissue, and respiratory tract. Of the total 43 tissue samples, 20 (46.5%) stained positive with the ZN stain. In viable cases, a significant proportion of microorganisms were positive while necrotic cases showed only rare ZN-positive yeasts. In comparison to PAS and GMS stains, there was a low burden of ZN-positive yeasts. Cryptococcus showed characteristic ZN staining and all cases of Leishmania were negative.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the morphology of fungal organisms is the foundation of identification, surgical pathologists should be aware of the acid-fast property of fungi, particularly when there is the potential for confusion with other infective organisms.
PubMed: 28934824
DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2017.07.11