An Interphase Microfluidic Culture System for the Study of Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue

Ex vivo explant culture models offer unique properties to study complex mechanisms underlying tissue growth, renewal, and disease. A major weakness is the short viability depending on the biopsy origin and preparation protocol. We describe an interphase microfluidic culture system to cultivate full thickness murine colon explants which keeps morphological structures of the tissue up to 192 h. The system was composed of a central well on top of a porous membrane supported by a microchannel structure. The microfluidic perfusion allowed bathing the serosal side while preventing immersion of the villi. After eight days, up to 33% of the samples displayed no histological abnormalities. Numerical simulation of the transport of oxygen and glucose provided technical solutions to improve the functionality of the microdevice.

Three-dimensional (3D) culture of adult murine colon as an in vitro model of cryptosporidiosis: Proof of concept

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of diarrheal illness and was recently potentially associated with digestive carcinogenesis. Despite its impact on human health, Cryptosporidium pathogenesis remains poorly known, mainly due to the lack of a long-term culture method for this parasite. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) culture model from adult murine colon allowing biological investigations of the host-parasite interactions in an in vivo-like environment and, in particular, the development of parasite-induced neoplasia. Colonic explants were cultured and preserved ex vivo for 35 days and co-culturing was performed with C. parvum. Strikingly, the resulting system allowed the reproduction of neoplastic lesions in vitro at 27 days post-infection (PI), providing new evidence of the role of the parasite in the induction of carcinogenesis. This promising model could facilitate the study of host-pathogen interactions and the investigation of the process involved in Cryptosporidium-induced cell transformation.

Salivary gland involvement as initial presentation of Wegener's disease

We describe a case of Wegener's disease with massive painful bilateral submandibular gland enlargement as the presenting symptom. The diagnosis was based on histologically documented nasal mucosa involvement, focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis, episcleritis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody.

Fever of unknown origin in the 1980s. An update of the diagnostic spectrum

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative proportions of the diagnostic categories in patients with fever of unknown origin who were examined in the 1980s.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

SETTING

General Internal Medicine Service based at University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.

PATIENTS

One hundred ninety-nine consecutive patients meeting the classic criteria of fever of unknown origin who were treated in the 1980s.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

The final diagnosis established at discharge or during follow-up.

RESULTS

Infections were found in 45 patients (22.6%), tumors were found in 14 (7%), multisystem diseases were found in 42 (21.5%), drug-related fever was found in six (3%), factitious fever was found in seven (3.5%), habitual hyperthermia was found in five (2.5%), miscellaneous diseases were found in 29 (14.5%), and no diagnosis was reached in 51 (25.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumors were a less important cause of fever of unknown origin in the 1980s. The same holds true for some infectious diseases, such as abscesses and hepatobiliary disorders. Multisystem diseases were more frequently found, and the number of undiagnosed cases increased. Although these shifts in the disease spectrum in fever of unknown origin most probably resulted from a constellation of factors, we suspect that these changes are mainly due to easy and early diagnosis by new diagnostic modalities, such as ultrasonography and computed tomography, of previously common causes of fever of unknown origin.

Palmar fasciitis and arthritis associated with cancer of the prostate

A case of palmar fasciitis and arthritis (PFA) is described in a man with both a prolactinoma and metastatic cancer of the prostate. This rare condition is mainly described in women with ovarian cancer and our case is the first reported association of PFA with cancer of the prostate.

Infectious osteitis pubis

One month after a Burch operation, performed because of urinary stress incontinence, a 65-yr-old woman developed progressive suprapubic pain and a characteristic waddling gait. Initial treatment with bed rest, non-steroidal antiphlogistics and corticosteroids was unsuccessful. Six months later, a biopsy of the symphysis performed because of persisting disabling pain yielded a positive culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A longlasting treatment with intravenously administered antibiotics followed by ofloxacin orally, resulted in complete clinical cure and progressive radiological improvement. The distinction between noninfectious osteitis pubis and infectious symphysitis or osteomyelitis of the pubis is discussed.