Expansion of peripheral and intratumoral regulatory T-cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is notorious for poor prognosis with limited therapeutic options. A better understanding of the role of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in HCC is important for design of immunotherapy based clinical protocol. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Tregs in tumor microenvironment in patients with HCC compared to chronic hepatitis (CH). Materials and Methods: The frequency of CD4 + CD25 + Treg cells was evaluated from peripheral blood (PB) of 28 patients of HCC and 30 controls including CH cases and healthy donors using flowcytometry. Intratumoral Treg were also analyzed in tissue samples from 17 HCC cases and 15 CH cases. In addition the expression of FOXP3 and CTLA-4 was also studied by RT-PCR. Results: Frequency of CD4 + CD25 + cells in the PBMCs of HCC cases was significantly higher than in HC (10.8 ± 7.64 vs 3.05 ± 1.30, P < 0.005) and CH patients (2.88 ± 1.92, P < 0.005). Also Treg population was significantly higher in HCC tumor microenvironment compared to CH biopsies (15.8 ± 5.32 vs 5.51 ± 3.40, P < 0.05). Expression of FOXP3 and CTLA-4 was also significantly higher in HCC patients ( P < 0.05) compared to CH group. Conclusions: We provide evidence of an increased population of Treg not only in the PB but also in tumor microenvironment of HCC patients, suggesting association of enhanced Treg activity with poor immune responses to tumor antigens. These findings may in future play a significant role in designing immunotherapeutic approaches in HCC.

FNAC in Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Experience from a teritiary level referral centre.

Background: In developing countries like India, tuberculous lymphadenitis is one of the most common causes of lymphadenopathy. However, anti-tubercular treatment cannot be given only on clinical suspicion. Cytomorphology with acid fast staining proves to be a valuable tool in diagnosing these cases. Aims: To study the utility, limitations of fine needle aspiration cytology and various cytomorphological presentations in reference to Ziehl-Neelsen staining in tuberculous lymphadenitis. Material and Methods: In a study period of July to October 2010, three hundred and eighteen consecutive superficial lymph nodes, clinically suspected to be tuberculous were subjected to cytological evaluation with Hematoxylin & Eosin, Giemsa and Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. In addition, demographic profile of these patients with clinical presentation was also studied. Results: Incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis was 55%. Overall AFB positivity was 71.0%. Only Necrosis without epithelioid cell granulomas was the most common cytological picture and that showed highest AFB positivity also. Threefourth of the patients presented in second to fourth decade of life. Cervical region was the most common site of involvement with solitary lymphadenopathy as the most common presentation in contrast to matted lymph nodes as reported by others. Conclusions: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a safe, cheap procedure requiring minimal instrumentation and is highly sensitive to diagnose tuberculous lymphadenitis. The sensitivity can be further increased by complementing cytomorphology with acid fast staining. In acid fast staining negative cases, yield of acid fast bacilli positivity can be increased by doing Ziehl-Neelsen staining on second smear or decolourized smear revealing necrosis or by repeat aspiration. Microbiological assessment should also be done in such cases.

Pulmonary malakoplakia: A report of two cases.

Malakoplakia of lung is an unusual condition that has been reported to occur in association with immunocompromised state, particularly in those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We present two cases of pulmonary malakoplakia in immunocompetent individuals. The diagnosis was made on histopathological examination of surgically resected specimen.