Study of antikeratin antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to assess the antikeratin antibody [AKA] of IgG class in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and its correlation to rheumatoid factor, disease activity, bone erosion and extra-articular manifestations. Also, the effect of different antirheumatic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] "diclofenac sodium", corticosteroids "prednisolone" and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs [DMARDs] "methotrexate" on IgG AKA titer in RA patients was assessed. This study was carried out on 45 patients with RA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [1988] criteria. The patients were divided into 3 groups [15 patients each] according to the line of treatment: Goup I: received diclofenac sodium 100 mg/day for 3 months. Group II: received prednisolone 10-20 mg/day for 3 months. Group III: received methotrexate 7.5-15 mg/week and folic acid 1mg/day for 3 months. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, RF and antikeratin antibody were determined in all patients at the start and at the end of the study. Also, plain x-ray of both hands were done for all patients at study entry. Antikeratin antibody was present in 68.9% of RA patients and it was correlated with parameters of disease activity, RF, CRP and subcutaneous nodules. There was significant reduction in AKA titer after treatment with MTX and prednisolone. The best reduction was in MTX group and it was correlated with improvement in parameters of disease activity. There was no correlation between AKA and degree of bone erosion. The sensitivity of AKA in RA patients is 68.9%. Antikeratin antibodies should be included in the initial investigations for the diagnosis of RA and it can be used as a prognostic marker for the disease and in evaluating the effect of treatment

Nephropathy in experimental Trichinosis [Histopathological, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent study]

The study was performed using 120 white rats [80 infected with Trichinella spiralis and 40 as a control group]. Histopathology electron microscopy, direct and indirect immunofluorescence were carried out on the proper kidney tissue preparations weekly for 20 weeks after infection. Evident histopathological changes were detected in the glomeruli, tubules, and stroma of the kidneys of infected animals from the 6th. week after infection. Transmission electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in the glomeruli and tubules coinciding with the histopathological changes. Deposits of immunoglobulins and specific Trichinella spiralis antigens were detected in the blood vessels and glomeruli of infected animals from the 7th. week after infection. The results were discussed and the immunopathological mechanism of tissue damage was clarified in the light of the histopathological, electron microscopic and immunofluorescence findings

Hepatic changes in experimental trichilemma spiralis infection

Histopathological and immunofluorescent studies were carried out on the liver in rats experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis throughout 24 weeks after infection. Definite histopathological changes were found in the liver of infected animals from the early weeks after infection in comparison with the control animals. The deposition of specific antigens and immune complexes was demonstrated in the infected animal liver by means of direct and indirect immunofluorescence. Few larvae were detected in the liver of infected animals. The findings were discussed and the role of immune complex deposition in the pathogenesis of the hepatic lesions was declared

Renal changes in experimental trichinosis [histopathological, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent study]

The study was performed using 120 white rats [80 infected with Trichinella spiralis and 40 as a control group]. Histopathology, electron microscopy, direct and indirect immunofluorescence were carried out on the proper kidney tissue preparations weekly for 20 weeks after infection. Histopathological changes were detected in the glomeruli, tubules, and stroma of the infected animals from the 6th week after infection. Transmission electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in the glomeruli and tubules, coinciding with the onset of the histopathological changes. Deposits of immunoglobulins and specific Trichinella spiralis antigens were detected in the blood vessels and glomeruli from the 8th week after infection. The results were discussed and the immunopathological mechanism of tissue damages was clarified

Smooth muscle tumour is a considerable cause of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding

Smooth muscle [SMT] of gastro-intestinal tract [GIT] is rare. Among GIT bleeding cases treated over the last 3 years, five of them had SMT, out of them 3 had leiomyoma and the other 2 had leiomyoblastoma. Bleeding was mainly a sequela of ulceration of the overlying mucosa. On dealing with a case of GIT bleeding, SMT should be considered as cause on studying the etiology to direct the effort to the proper line of treatment

Cryosurgery as a treatment modality of palatal mixed salivary tumors

Twelve patients suffering from palatal mixed salivary tumours were treated by the penetration method of cryosurgery. Morbidity has been minimal and short term follow up study indicates satisfactory tumour control. Histological and histochemical changes in the frozen tissues were studied which showed total tissue necrosis and marked depression of both acid and alkaline phosphates activities

Distribution of S-100 protein in normal salivary gland and salivary gland tumours

Immunohistochemical studies were performed for the presence of S -100 protein in noraml and neoplastic salivary gland by the peroxidase antiperoxidase [PAP] method. Among normal salivary gland the myoepitheial cells surrounding the acini and intercalated ducts were S -100 protein positive but the epithelial cells of the intercalated ducts, acini and excretory ducts were nd to be negative. In pleomorphic adenomas, S -100 protein positive cells were observed in myxomatous and chondromatous areas, which represent cells with myoepielial thelial differentiation. In adenoid cystic carcinomas, S -100 protein positive cells could be found in trahecular areas, but not in tumour cells showing cribriform pattern. In Warthins tumour, S -100 protein positive cells were present among the epithelial element and inbetween the lymphoid tissue of the tumour. The morphologic appearance of these cells was identical to that of Langerhan's cells. The presence of these cells which have a special function of antigen presentation in immune response, indicates that delayed hypersensitivity may be the main pathogenic factor in the development of Warthin's tumour. In mucoepidermoid carcinoma, S -100 protein positive cells were found in the solid sheets of the tumour, while the squamous pearls were negative. In malignant mixed salivary gland tumour, the malignant variant was clear cell carcinoma, which was negative for S -100 protein. In conclusion, S -100 protein is a useful protein of myoepithelial cells to clarify the histogenesis and for evaluatin of the prognosis of salivary gland tumours