Gastric syphilis: a case-report

CLINICAL CASE A 43-year-old Romanian woman was referred with the clinical suspicion of gastric lymphoma; she had complained from two months nausea, vomiting and weight loss (7 kg); 3 esophagogastroduodenoscopic examinations had evidenced reduced distensibility of stomach body and antrum, ulcered and congestive mucosa, the histopathological examinations revealed a non specific inflammation. There was no response to therapy with omeprazolo. A computer-assisted tomoghraphy scan of the thorax and abdomen, obtained after the oral and intravenous administration of contrast material, showed diffuse thickening of the gastric wall, lymphadenopathies were seen in the retrocrural space, lesser curvature, and paraaortic region. It was performed another upper endoscopy with “deep” biopsy specimen, comprehensive of spirochetal immunohistochemistry, that was diagnostic for gastric syphilis. DISCUSSION Even though gastritis is a rare clinical manifestations of the secondary stage of syphilis, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of erosive gastritis unresponsive to medical therapy, especially in young patients; screening tests like VDRL (routinely used until few years ago in internal medicine divisions) may be useful to identify those patients needing a further diagnostic evaluation.

Detection of infectious simian immunodeficiency virus in B- and T-cell lymphomas of experimentally infected macaques

An increasing frequency of malignant lymphomas occurs among patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Because of the close similarities to human malignancies, we used a nonhuman primate model to study the pathogenesis of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-associated malignancies. Specifically, we investigated (1) the presence of the SIV genome in tumor cells, (2) the presence of coinfecting viruses, and (3) the presence of a rearrangement of the immunoglobulin and c-myc genes. We observed 5 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (4 of B- and 1 of T-cell origin) among 14 SIV-infected cynomolgus monkeys. No c-myc translocation was observed in the tumors, whereas B-cell lymphomas were characterized either by a monoclonal (in 2 of 4) or by an oligoclonal (in 2 of 4) VDJ rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Molecular, biological, and immunological analyses did show the presence of infectious SIV in the tumor cells of 1 T-cell and 2 oligoclonal B-cell lymphomas. Neither Simian T-lymphotropic nor Epstein-Barr viruses were detectable, whereas Simian herpes virus Macaca fascicularis-1 was detectable at a very low copy number in 3 of 4 B-cell lymphomas; however, only 1 of these also harbored the SIV genome. These results support the possibility that SIV may be directly involved in the process of B or T lymphomagenesis occurring in simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Solid cystic tumor of the head of the pancreas in a young woman

This a case report of a solid papillary tumor of the pancreas in a young woman of 18 years, who was referred to after having suffered for a period of 8 months with a rather vague symptomatology, characterized by dyspepsia, fatigue and, towards the end of the 8 month period, weight loss (approximately 2 kg). In the last week, as a consequence of a modest abdominal trauma, the patient was submitted to abdominal CT that showed a burden at the head of the pancreas, demonstrating a round neoformation about 6 cm in diameter with solid echogenicity slightly hypodense. Subsequently, she underwent an operation with the diagnosis of pseudocystis of the pancreas. During surgery, a big cystic formation of the head of the pancreas, into which a drain was introduced, was revealed. The histological postoperative examination was compatible with pancreatic tumor with a low grade of malignancy, cystic papillary or solid papillary type. Therefore, the patient came under our observation and underwent an operation of pancreatoduodenectomy. Two years after the operation, the patient had completely recovered. In this case, we discussed the problem of performing certain preoperative diagnoses despite the aid of modern diagnostic imaging, this being a very rare illness that almost exclusively plagues young women (median age 19 years). This diagnosis has an uncertain histological origin and is generally accompanied by a modest and vague symptomatology. The surgical procedure, given the low grade of malignancy of the neoplasm and the excellent long-term prognosis, must be, with respect to the oncological radicality, as conservative as possible.

Endoscopy in the treatment of benign biliary strictures

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Operative endoscopy is now the method of choice for treating numerous biliary tree diseases. In the treatment of benign strictures of the biliary tree, endoscopy serves as an alternative to surgical interventions. We evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic biliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

PATIENTS

Fifty-three consecutive patients with benign strictures of the biliary tree underwent endoscopic placement of one or more 10-12 Fr endoprostheses. Thirty-nine patients (73.6%) had iatrogenic strictures and 14 had inflammatory strictures (in 8 patients due to gallstones and in 6, chronic pancreatitis). Of the 53 patients, 20 (37.7%) had strictures classified as Bismuth type I, 23 (43.3%) Bismuth type II, 7 (13.2%) Bismuth type III and 3 (5.7%) Bismuth type IV.

RESULTS

None of the patients died during the study period; three patients (5.6%) had immediate endoscopy-related complications treated conservatively. Late complications developed in 47.1% of the patients: 11.3% had cholangitis amenable to medical therapy, 5.6% had dislodged endoprostheses and 30.2% had obstructed endoprostheses. The reason why blocked stents accounted for most of the long-term complications in this series was that endoprostheses were not changed electively: they were changed only when clinical and laboratory signs indicated obstruction. Follow-up (6-84 months) in 42 of the 56 patients. 20 after stent removal, showed that 71.4% had an excellent outcome, 14.3% good results and 14.3% needed surgery.

CONCLUSION

In benign biliary stricture endoscopic stenting is the first approach, providing definitive treatment or preparing patients for surgery.

Live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus prevents super-infection by cloned SIVmac251 in cynomolgus monkeys

The ability of a live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to protect against challenge with cloned SIVmac251/BK28 was evaluated in four cynomolgus macaques. The intravenous infection of the C8 variant of the SIVmac251/32H virus, carrying an in-frame 12 bp deletion in the nef gene, did not affect the CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts, and a persistent infection associated with an extremely low virus burden in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was established. After 40 weeks, these monkeys were challenged intravenously with a 50 MID50 dose of SIVmac251/BK28 virus grown on macaque cells. Four naive monkeys were infected as controls. Monkeys were monitored for 62 weeks following challenge. Attempts to rescue virus from either PBMCs or bone marrow from the C8-vaccinated monkeys were unsuccessful, but in two cases virus was re-isolated from lymph node cells. The presence of the SIV provirus with the C8 variant genotype maintaining its original nef deletion was shown by differential PCR in PBMCs, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Furthermore, in contrast to the control monkeys, the vaccinated monkeys showed normal levels for CD4+ and CD8+ cells, minimal lymphoid hyperplasia and no clinical signs of infection. Our results confirm that vaccination with live attenuated virus can confer protection. This appears to be dependent on the ability of the C8 variant to establish a persistent but attenuated infection which is necessary for inducing an immune response, as suggested by the persistence of a strong immune B cell memory and by the over-expression of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma and IL-15 mRNAs in PBMCs of C8-vaccinated monkeys but not in those of control monkeys.

[Update on deep thrombophlebitis and pulmonary thromboembolism]

Pulmonary thromboembolism, a frequent complication in deep vein thrombosis, is still a pathology with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The authors underline that this pathology is particularly frequent after some types of surgery and in subjects with primary or secondary risk factors. The paper analysis the pathogenesis of deep-vein thrombosis and the physiopathology of pulmonary embolism. The authors then outline the current management in terms of the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and medical and surgical therapy of this pathology.

Co-expression of endothelial cell and macrophage antigens in Kaposi's sarcoma cells

The histopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) was investigated using immunocytochemistry in 12 skin biopsies obtained from two AIDS patients, nine patients with the classic form, and one organ-transplant patient. KS cells revealed a peculiar antigenic profile, being characterized by co-expression of endothelial and macrophage markers. KS cells were stained for von Willebrand factor (vWF); for vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin, an endothelial specific adhesion molecule; and for PECAM/CD31. In addition, they expressed the macrophage antigens PAM-1, CD68, and CD14, and were positive for vitronectin receptor and alpha-1,5,6/beta-1 integrins. KS cells were weakly stained for ICAM-1 in 6 of 12 cases and were negative for VCAM-1 and E-selectin.

Molecular mechanisms involved in intraepithelial lymphocyte migration: a comparative study in skin and tonsil

Intraepithelial lymphocyte migration is a biological process frequently observed in skin and tonsil. Using immunohistochemistry, we have studied the molecular bases of this process in seven skin biopsies involved by mycosis fungoides (MF) and in 12 tonsils, four involved by B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) and eight by lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (LH). In the skin, intraepidermal T-lymphocyte infiltration was associated with narrowing and fragmentation of the basement membrane, as shown by an anti-collagen type IV antibody. Immunostaining of serial sections with an anti-collagenase type IV antibody revealed that collagenase type IV was localized in the upper dermis and strictly co-distributed with collagen type IV, suggesting that enzymatic digestion played a role in the alterations of the basement membrane. Further migration through the epidermis was mediated by expression on keratinocytes of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and of leukocyte-function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on infiltrating lymphocytes. In the tonsil, intraepithelial infiltration was mediated by the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) by epithelial cells and of very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) by infiltrating lymphocytes. Further intraepithelial lymphocyte migration was then established, as already shown in the skin, by ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction. Lymphocyte recruitment from the systemic circulation was studied using antibodies directed against endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. These adhesion molecules were highly expressed by blood vessels in the upper dermis of MF and the percentage of ELAM-1+/VCAM-1+ vessels was significantly higher than that observed in tonsils.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synaptophysin in human breast carcinomas

Synaptophysin expression was studied immunohistochemically in 109 female and in three male breast carcinomas. Positivity was demonstrated in 10 female and in two male tumours in a high percentage of neoplastic cells. Synaptophysin positive breast carcinomas also expressed other neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin and neuron-specific enolase.

Cytokine production (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF alpha) and endothelial cell activation (ELAM-1 and HLA-DR) in reactive lymphadenitis, Hodgkin's disease, and in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. An immunocytochemical study

Cryostat sections of 58 lymph nodes were immunostained with a polyclonal rabbit serum against IL-1 alpha, and with monoclonal antibodies directed to IL-1 alpha (Vmp18), IL-1 beta (Vhp20 and BRhC3), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) (B154.7). Furthermore the presence of cytokine-containing cells was correlated with the expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM-1; 29F2) and of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) (OKIa-1) by endothelial cells. Cells containing IL-1 and/or TNF alpha were detected mainly in pathologic conditions characterized by reactive or neoplastic expansion of the lymph node paracortex. Cells positive for IL-1 were detected in 16 of 21 cases of Hodgkin's disease, in 4 of 4 cases of T-NHL, and in 5 cases of diffuse or mixed lymphadenitis. Interleukin-1 alpha was detected in macrophages, interdigitating reticulum cells (IDRCs), endothelial cells, and neoplastic Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells. Cells positive for IL-1 beta were much fewer and consisted mainly of macrophages. Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells were negative for IL-1 beta even after in vitro stimulation with bacterial endotoxin. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was present in macrophages and H-RS cells. Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 expression by endothelial venules was detected in 17 of 20 cases of Hodgkin's disease, in 2 of 4 cases of T-NHL, and in 5 of 5 cases of diffuse lymphadenitis. In these pathologic conditions, HLA-DR antigens also were expressed frequently by endothelial cells. Cytokine-containing cells and ELAM-1-positive high endothelial venules (HEV) were extremely rare in lymph nodes involved by follicular lymphadenitis (12 cases) or B-NHL (16 cases). In cases of reactive or neoplastic B-cell proliferations, HLA-DR-positive HEVs still were present often. Our results indicate that IL-1/TNF alpha production at tissue level is often associated with ELAM-1 expression by HEVs, but is less well correlated with expression of HLA-DR antigens by endothelial cells.

High frequency of Epstein-Barr virus genome detection in Hodgkin's disease of HIV-positive patients

Lymph nodes obtained from 7 HIV-positive and 20 HIV-negative patients with Hodgkin's disease were examined for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus antigens and genome. EBV antigens were observed in only 2 out of 20 HIV-negative patients, whereas lymph nodes of HIV-positive patients did not reveal evidence of EBV antigens. By in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis, EBV genome was found in 5 out of 7 HIV-positive patients; the EBV genome was detected in the nucleus of Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells. EBV DNA was observed by in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis in only 3 out of 20 HIV-negative patients with Hodgkin's disease. In both groups, Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells were negative for C3d EBV receptor. Our results show a statistically significant increased expression of EBV DNA in HIV-positive patients with Hodgkin's disease, as compared with HIV-negative patients with HD.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens and genome in lymph nodes of HIV-positive patients affected by persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL)

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens and genome has been investigated in 50 lymph nodes involved by persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL). All the patients were HIV infected and most of them (42 of 50) also had anti-EBV serum antibodies. At lymph node level, HIV and EBV antigens were studied by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies directed against viral core proteins. The HIV p24 protein was detected in 43 of 50 lymph nodes within the B-cell germinal centers with a reticular pattern. Few cells with positive results for EBV antigens were found in only 2 of 50 lymph nodes. These rare EBV-positive centrocyte-like cells were mainly located in the germinal centers. The presence of HIV and EBV genome was also studied in lymph nodes involved by PGL, with the use of in situ and Southern blot hybridization. A positive reaction for HIV genome was detected in only 1 of 14 lymph nodes with the Southern blot hybridization, and the presence of EBV genome was never demonstrated in these lymph nodes with the use of both in situ and Southern blot hybridization. The expression of EBV antigens and genome was also investigated in the peripheral blood of 15 patients with PGL in which cells with positive results for EBV antigens were detected in a single case with a frequency of 1 X 10(-4). No evidence of EBV genome was found with the use of the in situ hybridization. These results suggest that EBV is not present in lymph nodes during the PGL phase and that its possible implication in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated lymphoma might be a late event.

Macrophages and interdigitating reticulum cells in normal thymus and in thymoma: an immunohistochemical study

The distribution and immunophenotype of macrophages and interdigitating reticulum cells were investigated on frozen sections of seven normal thymuses and 10 thymomas. In normal thymus, macrophages were mainly located in the cortex, were markedly PAM-1+/MAC+, weakly Leu-M3+ (CD14), T4+ (CD4), T9+ and OKM-1+ (CD11b). Interdigitating reticulum cells were mainly located in the medulla and were pan-Leu+ (CD45), T4+(CD4+), HLA-DR+; furthermore, they were also often TAC+ (CD25) and T9+. Thymomas were composed of cytokeratin-containing epithelial cells admixed with variable proportions of T6+ (CD1a) lymphocytes. As defined by the histological features two thymomas were lymphocyte-rich, five were mixed type and three were epithelial-rich; eight thymomas were mainly composed of cortical epithelial cells and two were composed of spindle epithelial cells suggesting a medullary origin. In all cases, thymoma-associated macrophages were markedly PAM-1+/MAC+; they were numerous, and regularly distributed throughout the tumour. The density of macrophages per unit area was similar to that of the normal thymus, and was not influenced by the histological type or by the lymphocyte content of the tumour. Interdigitating reticulum cells were few and were confined to the areas of medullary differentiation.

Letterer-Siwe disease: immunohistochemical evidence for a proliferative disorder involving immature cells of Langerhans lineage

The morphological, ultrastructural and immunophenotypic properties of Histiocytosis-X (H-X) cells were investigated in a lymph node involved by Letterer-Siwe (L-S) disease. H-X cells were T6+ (CD1a), S-100+, T4+ (CD4) and HLA-DR+; in addition they were consistently T11+ (CD2) and were stained by antibodies directed against receptors for transferrin (T9), C3bi (OKM-1/CD11b), IgG-Fc (Leu-11/CD16) and Interleukin-2 (IL-2R/CD25). On immunostained cytosmears, T6+ cells were highly polymorphic and a prominent fraction (45%) showed immature morphology, characterized by lymphoid appearance. Cells expressing macrophage markers (ANAE, AACT, Leu-M3/CD14, PAM-1) were 10-fold fewer than T6+ cells and did not show a lymphoid morphology. At TEM level, H-X cells were characterized by poor content of LC granules and by the presence of myelin-like laminated bodies and of lysosome-like dense bodies. The immunophenotypic properties of H-X cells were compared to those of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and of LCs present in lymph nodes of three cases of dermatophatic lymphadenitis. Epidermal LCs were T6+/HLA-DR+, and sometimes faintly T4+. Lymph node LCs were T6+, S-100+, T4+, HLA-DR+, and showed the same variety of surface receptors detected in H-X cells; furthermore, in a case with massive infiltration of the paracortex by T6+ cells, lymph node LCs were faintly T11+ and some of the T6+ cells had lymphoid aspect. Our findings suggest that the H-X cell population of L-S disease is not homogeneous, but is composed of discrete cell subsets with distinctive antigenic and morphological traits closely resembling those of cells of LC lineage at different maturational stages.