Incidence of beta-thalassemia carriers in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir

Objective: To determine the frequency of beta-thalassemia carriers in healthy population from Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir

Methods: In this cross sectional population based study, people from Muzaffarabad were motivated to get themselves tested for beta thalassemia trait. People found healthy on basis of a questionnaire and clinical examination were included in the study. Complete blood counts and peripheral smear review were performed on EDTA samples. Hemoglobin [Hb] electrophoresis was performed. Subjects with mean corpuscular volume [MCV], <76 fl, and/or mean corpuscular Hb [MCH], < 27 pg were subjected to hemoglobin A2 [HbA2] level estimation by elution method. Hemoglobin A2 of more than 3.5% was considered diagnostic for beta-thalassemia trait. Azad Kashmir is a territory with considerable ethnic heterogeneity. This is basically a tribal society with a high proposition of consanguineous marriages. We created awareness among the general population

Results: Found that gene is present in almost all tribes studied

Conclusion: Using strict criteria for healthy population, we conclude that incidence of thalassemia trait is 5.6 % in our study population. beta -thalassemia trait is present in almost all ethnic groups. To control thalassemia major, screening program for thalassemia carriers must be initiated in the area

Identification of helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies: a comparison of haematoxylin and eosin staining with immunohistochemistry

Helicobacter pylori remains widely prevalent today despite modern medical advances.1 It is responsible for an ever increasing number of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases.2 Objective was to compare the efficacy of H and E staining with immunohistochemistry in the detection of H. pylori in gastric biopsies. It was a descriptive study and was carried out in the Pathology Department, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore - Pakistan during the period of 1.2.211 to 30.10. 2011. Seventy gastric biopsies were collected from Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. The tissue sections were stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin [H and E] stain and also with H. pylori immunostain. Histopathological examination of the sections was carried out under an optical microscope. The results of histological examination [H and E as well as immuno - staining], and clinical data were subjected to statistical analysis. Helicobacter pylori was detected by H and E staining in 27.2% of our 70 cases while 72.8% were negative for this. In 20% cases there was mild colonisation where in 7.1% this was moderate. Immunohistochemistry carried out with Helicobacter pylori immunostain yielded 31.4% positive cases while 68.6% were negative. Among the 70 cases there were 64.3% males and 35.7% females. The maximum number of cases were found to be in the age group of 20 - 29 years and was 18 or 25.71%. This was followed by age groups 30 - 39 years and 50 - 59 years each of which had 12 [71.14%] patients. Age was compared in male and female patients. There was no significant age difference among males and females. A comparison between mean age in H. pylori positive and negative cases was also carried out. There was no significant correlation between age and H. pylori detection. A comparison between sex distribution and H. pylori positive and negative cases did not yield any significant difference between males and females. Histopathological examination of gastric biopsies is still an accurate and efficient means of diagnosis. Immunostaining increases the diagnostic yield

retrospective study of ovarian tumours and tumour-like lesions

Ovaries are common site of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. They can present from the neonatal period to post menopause. Most are functional in nature and resolve with minimal treatment. Objective of the study was to determine the nature of various ovarian lesions and to ascertain the frequency and distribution of the various non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. The study was a retrospective review of all cases of ovarian cancer, benign ovarian neoplasm and functional ovarian cysts received during Jan-Dec 2008 at Chughtai's Lahore Laboratory. The clinical data of the patients was obtained from their respective files. A total of 498 different non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions were seen during one calendar year 2008. Non-neoplastic cysts were more common [343, 68.87%] than neoplastic tumours [155, 31.12%]. The commonest non-neoplastic cyst was luteal cyst followed by follicular cyst. Among the neoplastic tumours 78.70% were benign and 21.29% were malignant. Benign serous cysts were the commonest benign tumour followed by mature cystic teratoma and mucinous cyst. Serous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant tumour followed closely by endometrioid carcinoma and granulosa cell tumour. Krukenberg tumour, tumour metastatic to ovaries and non-Hodgkins lymphoma was also diagnosed during this period. Malignant germ cell tumours were seen in much younger age group followed by sex cord stromal tumours. Epithelial tumours were seen in much older age group. The morphologic diversity of ovarian masses poses many challenges. A specific diagnosis can usually be made by evaluating routinely stained slides but sometimes immunohistochemistry is required in difficult cases. Gross features also provide useful diagnostic clues

Primary carcinoid of the urinary baldder

The occurrence of a primary carcinoid tumour of the urinary bladder is extremely rare. The case of a 35 year-old male with carcinoid tumour arising in the urinary bladder is presented. Transurethral resection of a polypoid small tumour [1.0 cm in diameter] was performed. Immunohistochemical study using neuroendocrine markers allowed a straightforward diagnosis of a low-grade neuroendocrine tumour [carcinoid tumour] of the urinary bladder to be made. This tumour shows specific clinical, gross and histological features and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bladder neoplasms

Morphological variations in appendicectomy specimens

To study and describe the various gross and microscopic presentations of appendicectomy specimens. Prospective analysis of surgical specimens. Pathology Department, PGMI, Lahore. Single center. Morphological examination of the specimens. 250 appendicectomy specimens were studied. The gender more frequently affected was male [1.6:1 cases]. The mean age was 16 years. The clinical diagnosis was acute appendicitis in 246 cases. This was confirmed in 209 cases. 28 cases revealed normal morphology. Worm infestation was seen in 4 cases. All of these belonged to the paediatric age group. One case revealed a carcinoid tumour. All resected specimens including appendices should be subjected to a thorough histopathological examination

Histological changes in renalvessels of albino rats fed on canola oil and hyperlipidaemic diet

To evaluate and compare the atheroscIerotic changes with intake of dietary monounsaturated fatty acid [canola oil] and hyperlipidaemic diet on the renal arteries of albino rats. Design: It was an experimental study conducted at Postgraduate Medical lnstitute [PGMI] Lahore for 24 weeks. Materials and Methods Sixty albino rats of 8 weeks age, equal number of males and females were divide in to five groups of 12 animals each.[Group DO-4]. Different diets were prepared and given to the animals for 24 weeks. Renal arteries were taken to see changes. Gross and microscopic changes for atherosclerosis were studied in animals sacrificed after one week [Group DO] and in animals scarified after 24 weeks of experiment [Groups 1-4]. Only one animal showed atherotic lesion in-group D 2, while all other animals remained lesion free. Our study proved that canola oil was one of the beneficial diets. Canola oil was not only effective when used alone in the diet but it also protected and prevented the atherosclerotic changes of other atherogenic diets