Chromosomal abnormalities in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among Egyptians: correlation with histopathologic subtypes

The involved lymph nodes were studied for histology and Giemsa banded karyotypes. The histologic classification was done using the International Working Formulation for clinical usage. G-banded karyotypes could be prepared from 40 cases. Six of these were of low- grade subtypes, 10 were of intermediate-grade, and 24 were of high- grade. The chromosome model number ranged from 45 to 95. Pseudodiploid karyotypes were found in 10 cases of NHL. The remaining 30 cases showed aneuploidy. Several structural chromosomal aberrations were noted in different histologic subtypes of NHL. Significant correlation was found between the frequency of normal metaphase cells and chromosome modal number, on the one hand, and the histologic subtype and grade NHL, on the other hand. Low-grade subtypes of NHL showed a frequency of 20% or more of normal metaphases and had low chromosome modal numbers, while high-grade subtypes showed no normal metaphases and revealed high chromosome modes. Intermediate-grade subtypes showed variable cytogenetic findings which were generally closer to those found in high-grade subtypes. The 14q+ marker chromosome was the most common structural abnormality found in all the histologic subtypes of NHL. Chromosomes number 1, 8, 11 and 18 were the most frequently involved in the 14q+ translocation. No "specific" chromosome abnormality, however, could be linked to a single histologic subtype. The prognostic significance of these different chromosomal changes is discussed

Detecion of mutagenicity in Urothelial cells of bilharzial patients by "the micronucleus test"

The association between bilharzial cystitis and cancer bladder has been repeatedly reported. No direct evidence however could be demonstrated to prove and disclose the exact nature of this relation. The present study represents an original attempt to detect evidence of mutagenicity in urothelial cells exfoliated from bilharzial patients, by the use of the micronucleus test. This new technique, which is being used for the first time in Egypt, was applied to 23 patients with active urinary bilharziasis and 15 controls. Cases exposed to known mutmutagenic factors like heavy smokers and alcoholics were excluded. Urine smears were prepared from the studied cases, stained with Feulgen-fast green and examined for chromatin fragments seen as free paticles in the cytoplasm of the interphase cells. A significantly higher frequency of these microunculeated urothelial cells was observed in smears taken from patients with bilharzial cystitis [7.17%] as compared to the control group [0.53%]. A possible mutagen is thus suspected in the urine of bilharzial patients as detected by the micronucleus test, which proved to be simple and efficient. Our results could offer an explanation for the higher incidence of bladder cancer in patients with urinary bilharziasis. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to reveal the exact nature of these mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic agents