Evaluation of p53 protein expression in Barrett esophagus

Background: Loss of heterozygosity of p53 along with aneuploidy is deemed to be the early molecular steps in Barrett metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. Objective biomarkers need to be used along with microscopy for risk stratification to predict the progression of Barrett esophagus (BE) to carcinoma. Aim: This study aims to study p53 protein expression in dysplasia and correlate the same with morphology in BE. Materials and Methods: A time-bound study was conducted from January 2011 to June 2015. All esophageal biopsies showing histological evidence of columnar epithelium with the presence of goblet cells were included. The cases which showed dysplasia were graded on hematoxylin and eosin stain. Evaluation of p53 immunohistochemistry staining was done on all the cases of BE. Dysplasia was correlated with the expression of p53 using Chi-square value (χ2) and Fischer's exact test wherever appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Of 829 esophageal biopsies received, 119 were endoscopically suspected to be BE, of which 85 cases were confirmed on microscopy. In our study, there were 75 cases negative for dysplasia (88.2%), 8 with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (9.4%), and two with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) (2.4%). Three cases of BE had associated adenocarcinoma. Immunostaining with p53 done on all the 85 cases showed positive staining in all cases with LGD, one with HGD and two with adenocarcinoma. In the present study, immunostaining with p53 showed 90% sensitivity, 89.3% specificity, positive predictive value of 52.9%, and negative predictive value of 98.5%. Conclusion: The technical simplicity, easy availability, and comparatively lower cost enhance the role of p53 as a biomarker in risk stratification for patients with BE.

Prevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis.

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are both enterically transmitted, resulting in acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in developing countries. They pose major health problems in our country. This study was done to determine prevalence of HAV and HEV in patients presenting with AVH and the co-infection of HAV and HEV in these patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2-years duration was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, KMC, Mangalore. A non-random sampling of 958 patients presenting with AVH was considered in the study. On the basis of history, serum samples were analysed for IgM anti-HAV and IgM anti-HEV for the detection of HAV and HEV, respectively using commercially available ELISA kits. Data collected was analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Results: The seroprevalence of HAV- and HEV-positive patients were 19.31% and 10.54%, respectively. The seroprevalence of both HAV and HEV in patients with acute viral hepatitis was 11.5%. The prevalence of HAV and HEV among males (68% and 31%) was higher than in females (31% and 20%) and was predominantly seen among young adults. These infections were predominantly seen during end of monsoons and beginning of winter. Conclusion: Though the prevalence of HAV is much higher than that of HEV, co-infection rate of 11.5% mandates the screening for HEV which will be of immense importance in pregnant women and improving levels of personal hygiene among higher socio-economic population. These data will be essential for planning of future vaccination strategies and for better sanitation programme in this part of the country.

Clinicomicrobiological analysis of patients with cholangitis.

Acute cholangitis is inflammation of biliary ductal system from infection with an associated biliary obstruction. This retrospective study was done to determine the factors responsible for cholangitis and the microbiological profile of the bile in patients with cholangitis. In the study involving 348 patients, 36.4% had associated malignancy. A total of 54% of the bile samples were positive for aerobic culture. Nearly 66-73% of the Escherichia coli and Klebsiella isolates were Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) producers. Two isolates of Candida spps were also obtained. Polymicrobial infection was seen in 31.5% of the culture positive cases. Ideal antibiotics in case of cholangitis would be those which are excreted in the bile such as third‑generation cephalosporins, ureidopenicillins, carbapenems and fluoroquinolones to combat resistance and polymicrobial aetiology. Anti‑fungal drugs may also be necessary if the patient is not responding to biliary decompression and antibacterial agents to prevent fungaemia.

Detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli by multiplex PCR.

Background: Diarrheagenic E.coli (DEC) are an important cause of childhood diarrhea.Identification of DEC strains needs to detect factors that determine the virulence of these organisms. There is not much data regarding the importance of DEC as a cause of diarrhea in children in India.The prevalence of DEC in children belowfive years with and without diarrhea was studied using two multiplex PCR assays. Materials and Methods: Two multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect genes of five types of DEC.The targets selected for each category were eae and bfpA (bundle-forming pilus) forEnteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), hlyA for Enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC), elt and stla for Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), CVD432 for Enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC) and ial for Enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC). Results: In 200 children with diarrhea 52 (26%) DEC infections were found. Among 100 controls 8 (8%) DEC infections were found. EAEC was the most common DEC by multiplex PCR both in cases (26, 13%)and controls (5,5%), followed byEPEC seen in 16% cases and 3% controls. ETEC and EIEC were found in 7 (3.5%) and 3 (1.5%) of the diarrheal cases. EIEC and ETEC were not detected in the control cases. EHEC was not isolated from either the diarrheal or control cases. Conclusion: DEC strains are a significant cause of diarrhea in children. The two Multiplex PCR assays can be used for the detection of DEC in routine diagnostic laboratories. These assays are specific and sensitive for the rapid detection of DEC. EAEC was the most frequent pathotype in the population under study.

Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Neonates with Vertically Transmitted Chikungunya Fever with Encephalopathy.

Neurodevelopmental follow-up of neonates with vertically transmitted Chikungunya fever has been infrequently reported. We herein report neurodevelopment follow up of two such babies at 3 year of age.

A cross-sectional hospital-based study of autoantibody profile and clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in south Indian patients.

Our study was aimed to analyze clinical manifestations, autoantibodies and other serological abnormalities in South Indian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical history and findings on systemic examination were noted. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were detected by immunofluorescence and ANA profile by Immunoblotting. Arthritis was most common followed by fever and skin rash. Clinical manifestations vary according to geographical location of the patient. ANA was positive in 64.28% and anti-dsDNA in 89.36% of patients. All patients with lupus nephritis were positive for dsDNA. Detection of antibodies to dsDNA, RNP and anti-Smith (Sm) are of diagnostic and prognostic importance.

Virulence factors and drug resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from extraintestinal infections.

PURPOSE: To determine the virulence factors produced by Escherichia coli isolated from extraintestinal infections, to study the drug resistance pattern in E. coli with special reference to extended spectrum beta -lactamase (ESBL) and to evaluate screening methods for ESBL. METHODS: A total of 152 isolates of E. coli from various extraintestinal infections were screened for virulence factors such as haemolysin, surface hydrophobicity, serum resistance and protease. All the isolates were also studied for antibiotic susceptibility pattern using modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. ESBL production was screened by standard disk diffusion method and confirmed using phenotypic confirmatory method. RESULTS: Among 152 isolates, 36 (23.7%) were haemolytic, 42 (27.6%) were hydrophobic, 132 (86.8%) were serum resistant and only four were positive for protease. Multiple virulence factor were observed in 67 (44%) of isolates. Seventy-nine (51.4%) isolates produced ESBL. ESBL producing isolates showed multidrug resistance. There was a significant association ( P E. coli . CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows the expression of virulence factors and multidrug resistance in E. coli isolated from various extraintestinal infections. The study also shows that appropriate methods of detecting drug resistance and ESBL production are required for the judicious use of antibiotics in managing these infections.

Dentigerous cyst associated with multiple mesiodens: a case report.

Dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst, which apparently develops by accumulation of fluid between reduced enamel epithelium and the tooth crown of an unerupted tooth. When observed with erupted and complete dentition the diagnosis is a surprise; as about 95% of dentigerous cysts involve the permanent dentition and only 5% are associated with supernumerary teeth. The usual age of clinical presentation of dentigerous cyst due to supernumerary tooth is during the first four decades. Mesiodens is a supernumerary tooth situated between the maxillary central incisors. More frequently the mesiodens occurs unilaterally, but it may also be bilateral, while three or more supernumerary teeth in the median region of the palate are more rarely found. We report a rare case of dentigerous cyst in association with multiple mesiodens in a 14-year-old female patient.

Pyogenic granuloma associated with bone loss in an eight year old child: A case report.

Soft tissue enlargements of the oral cavity often present a diagnostic challenge because a diverse group of pathologic processes can produce such lesions. An enlargement may represent a variation of normal anatomic structures, inflammation, cysts, developmental anomalies and neoplasm. Within these lesions is a group of reactive hyperplasias, which develop in response to a chronic, recurring tissue injury that stimulates an exuberant or excessive tissue repair response. The pyogenic granuloma is a reactive enlargement that is an inflammatory response to local irritation such as calculus, a fractured tooth, rough dental restoration and foreign materials. This article aims to present a case of pyogenic granuloma in 8 year old child patient associated with resorption of bone in relation to the tooth.

Cystic cervical intramedullary schwannoma with syringomyelia.

We report a case of cervical intramedullary cystic schwannoma associated with segmental syrinx in a young adult without evidence of neurofibromatosis. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Scalp arteriovenous malformations.

AIMS: We discuss our experience with the surgical management of scalp vascular malformation and review the literature on the subject. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective case-control study of eight patients with scalp vascular malformations admitted to our hospital between 1997 and 2002. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All the patients were investigated with selective internal and external carotid angiography. Depending upon the origin of feeding arteries, the scalp vascular malformations were classified into two categories: Group I: the primary scalp arteriovenous malformations and Group II: secondary venous dilatations. Six patients belonged to Group I and two patients were in Group II. RESULTS: Five patients belonging to Group I underwent successful excision of the arteriovenous malformation. There was no recurrence in this group. Of the two patients in Group II, one patient who had scalp vascular dilatation simulating a primary scalp vascular malformation underwent excision of the lesion. This patient developed severe postoperative brain edema and died. CONCLUSIONS: Primary scalp vascular malformation can be excised safely. However, excision of secondary scalp venous dilatation without treatment of the intracranial component can be dangerous.

Cystic olfactory groove schwannoma.

Intracranial schwannoma not related to cranial nerves are unusual and rarely found in the subfrontal region. We report a case of cystic olfactory groove schwannoma in a 55-year- old male, who presented with late onset seizure without raised intracranial pressure. The tumor was excised completely.

Amyloidoma of the craniovertebral junction.

We report a rare case of localized amyloidoma of the craniovertebral junction causing severe myelopathy and respiratory distress and death. The clinical features and the natural history of this rare condition are discussed.

Intracranial plasma cell granuloma.

We report two rare cases of primary intracranial plasma cell granuloma. The tumors probably arose from the dura and involved the cerebral parenchyma. These patients presented with clinical features of raised intracranial pressure and there was focal neurological deficit. The management issues are discussed.