Intrinsic factor antibody negative atrophic gastritis; is it different from pernicious anaemia.

Introduction: H. pylori gastritis and autoimmune gastritis are the two main types of chronic atrophic gastritis. Parietal cell antibody (PCA) and intrinsic factor antibody (IFA) are characteristic of autoimmune gastritis, of which IFA is more specific. Patients who are IFA negative are considered under the category of chronic atrophic gastritis. Aim: To differentiate IFA positive from IFA negative chronic atrophic gastritis. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients of biopsy proven chronic atrophic gastritis were included in this study. All patients underwent haematological and biochemical tests including serum LDH, vitamin B12 and fasting serum gastrin levels. PCA and IFA antibodies were tested in all patients. Multiple gastric biopsies from body and antrum of the stomach were taken and evaluated for presence of intestinal metaplasia, endocrine cell hyperplasia, carcinoid and H. pylori infection. Patients were grouped as group A (IFA positive) and group B (IFA negative). The mean laboratory values and histological parameters were compared between the two groups using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Eighteen patients were in group A (mean age 55.5±13 years, male: female = 16:2) and thirty-two in group B (mean age 49.7±13 years, male: female = 25:7). There was no statistically significant difference between median values of haemoglobin, MCV, LDH, Vitamin B12 and serum gastrin in both the groups. None of the histological parameters showed any significant difference. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in haematological, biochemical and histological parameters in IFA positive and negative gastritis. These may be the spectrum of the same disease, where H. pylori may be responsible for initiating the process.

A retrospective clinico-pathological analysis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Aim: Gastrointestinal tract is the commonest site for neuroendocrine tumors. Appendix, ileum and rectum were considered to be common sites for these tumors. However, there has been change in pattern of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors over last few years. There is limited data available on epidemiology and patterns of these tumors in India. Methods: Analysis of 74 patients with gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors over a period of 7 years at a single center in Mumbai, India was done. Clinical details, surgical outcome with follow up and treatment were reviewed. All these patients were analyzed with special emphasis on the site of the tumor. Results: The results showed a male preponderance (ratio of 2.5:1) with a mean age of 53.01 ± 15.13 years. Of the 74 tumors, the commonest site was found to be stomach 22 (30.2%), followed by pancreas 17 (23.3%) and duodenum 14 (18.9%). Only 3 (4.1%) patients presented with carcinoid syndrome. The disease was localized in 46 (62.2%), regional spread was seen in 14 (18.9%) and distant spread in 14 (18.9%). Majority of gastric and duodenal tumors had localized disease while pancreatic NETs led to most of the cases with distant disease. Conclusion: This analysis showed that gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are not rare. Pattern of these tumors has definitely changed over last few years. Stomach was found to be commonest site for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors followed by pancreas and duodenum.

Utilization of antihepatocyte clone OCH1E5 (Hep Par 1) in histological evaluation of liver tumors.

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not always easy on simple hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. The diagnostic problems arise when tumor shows pseudoglandular, pleomorphic or clear cell differentiation. Various tumors markers have been described with varying sensitivity and specificity. Monoclonal antibody Hep Par 1 (OCH1E5) which is specific for hepatocytes offers great help in separation of these tumors. The aim of the present study was to determine utility of Hep Par 1 (OCH1E5) in differentiating HCC from metastatic tumors and cholangiocarcinoma. Total of 62 cases of liver tumors obtained from biopsies, resected or autopsy specimens were included in the study. Slides having representative sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody Hep Par 1 (Dako Corp) using avidin biotin technique with primary antibody dilution of 1:40. Adjacent nontumorous hepatocytes were taken as positive control. Slides were examined by experienced pathologist without any information of clinical or H&E diagnosis. Cases were considered positive for Hep Par 1 if tumor cells showed cytoplasmic brown colored granules. The intensity and distribution (diffuse/ focal) of immunoreactivity was noted. Subsequently immunohistochemistry results were correlated with histology and clinical diagnosis. Hep Par 1 antibody was positive in 26 (42 %) and negative in 36 (58 %) liver tumors. On correlating with H&E sections, out of 26 positive cases, 25 (89.2%) were HCC and one was the case of metastasis of mucin secreting adenocarcinoma. From 36 tumors with negative staining 3 were cases of HCC, 27 metastatic adenocarcinomas and 6 cholangiocarcinomas. Only one case of liver metastasis of mucin secreting adenocarcinoma showed positivity. None of the cases of cholangiocarcinoma showed positivity for Hep Par 1. The three HCCs which did not take up staining for Hep Par 1 were 2 cases of moderately differentiated HCC having pseudoglandular pattern and a case of well differentiated HCC with trabecular arrangement. In 11(44%) cases staining was diffuse while in 14 (56%) it was focal but intense. Hep Par 1 is a useful marker in differentiating HCC from metastaic tumors and cholangiocarcinoma with sensitivity and specificity of 89 % and 97 % respectively and positive predictive value of 96 %. However one should be aware of limitations of immunohistochemistry.

Tissue polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To evaluate the utility of PCR in differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease. 2) To compare histological features of tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 cases of diagnosed intestinal tuberculosis and 20 Crohn's disease were included in the study. Clinical data, radiological and endoscopic findings and response to treatment were taken into consideration. Endoscopic biopsies from affected areas were subjected to histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Acid fast staining on tissue and culture was done whenever possible. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms, radiological and endoscopic findings were almost similar between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. PCR was positive in 21.6% cases of intestinal tuberculosis and 5% Crohn's disease. Nine out of 42 cases (21.4%) without granuloma were also positive by PCR. There was no statistical difference for PCR positivity between patients with intestinal tuberculosis with or without granuloma on histology and also between caseating and non-caseating granuloma. CONCLUSION: PCR assay showed high specificity (95%) for the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis hence may be valuable method to differentiate intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease.

Insulinoma--a case report.

Insulinoma is a rare pancreatic endocrine tumour characterised by hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. It is important to surgically remove this tumour as it can cause potentially lethal hypoglycemia. We report a case of insulinoma presenting with unconsciousness following repeated episodes of inability to arise from sleep and convulsions. Biochemical investigation revealed hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The diagnosis of Insulinoma is often delayed due to misattribution of symptoms to psychiatric or neurological disorders. In this case, same delay lead to fatal outcome for this patient.

A rare cause of steatohepatitis.

We present a rare case of steatohepatitis due to neutral lipid storage disorder in a 1.5-year-old male presenting with intermittent fever, hepatomegaly and dark-coloured urine. On examination, there was ichthyosis involving both the limbs. Liver biopsy showed steatohepatitis. The peripheral blood smear revealed fat vacuoles in the cytoplasm of leucocytes, characteristic of the Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome. Awareness of this condition helps in prompt diagnosis and avoids unnecessary further investigations.

Hepatic sarcoidosis.

We describe six cases of hepatic sarcoidosis. Clinical presentation was with weight loss, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function tests. In addition there was fever, itching, splenomegaly and abdominal lymphadenopathy in some. CT scan revealed mediastinal lymphadenopathy in all. Liver biopsy showed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme was elevated in four cases. All patients had received anti-tuberculosis treatment with clinical diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis. None of them improved, while some showed clinical deterioration. All patients responded to corticosteroids with disappearance of symptoms and normalization of liver function tests.

Prevalence of short segments of specialized columnar epithelium in distal esophagus: association with gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies have reported high prevalence rates of short segments of specialized columnar epithelium (SCE) in the distal esophagus. The association of SCE with gastroesophageal reflux disease is not well established. We studied the prevalence and associations of short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus amongst Indians. METHODS: 271 patients (mean age 36 [14] y; 160 men) undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were interviewed regarding symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and history of medications, smoking or chewing tobacco and alcohol ingestion. At endoscopy, presence and grade of esophagitis and hiatus hernia were recorded. One biopsy each was taken from the squamocolumnar junction and 2 cm proximal to it. Biopsies were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff. The pathologist was blinded to the clinical and endoscopic data. RESULTS: Short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus were present in 16/271 (6%; CI 5.03-6.97) patients. Increasing age (p<0.01), and endoscopic (p<0.01) and histologic (p<0.001) esophagitis were associated with its presence, whereas symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, tobacco chewing, use of alcohol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hiatus hernia were not. One patient with SCE had dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus amongst Indians is low and is usually associated with inflammation in the esophagus.

Role of autoimmunity in nonviral chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical profile of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty five consecutive patient with chronic liver disease seen in our department from January 1997 to December 1998 were studied with detailed history and clinical examination. All the patients underwent liver function tests, ultrasonography, isotope liver scanning, viral markers, autoimmune markers ANA, ASMA, LKM1 and AMA (by immunofluorescence technique) and liver histology whenever permissible. Appropriate work up for Wilson's disease was done whenever suspected clinically. Diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis was made by the composite scoring system by international autoimmune hepatitis group. Twenty out of the 435 patients met the criteria of definite autoimmune hepatitis and seven patient had probable autoimmune hepatitis. Forty out of 408 patients showed markers of autoimmunity positive but did not qualify diagnosis of AIH on composite scores. RESULTS: Demographic profile of 27 patients with autoimmune hepatitis was as follows; male:female ratio 1:8, mean age 39.8 +/- 13 years (Range 4-65 years); mode of presentation as cirrhosis 11/27 (40.7%), chronic hepatitis 12/27 (44.4%) and acute hepatitis 4/27 (14.8%). Elevated serum bilirubin levels were seen in 12 (44.4%) patients while mean serum aminotransferases levels were 249 +/- 343 and 262 +/- 418 respectively. Other disease associations seen were as follows: diabetes in 4 (14.8%), rheumatoid arthritis in 3 (11%), hypothyroidism in 2 (7.4%) and ulcerative colitis in 1 (3.7%). The pattern of autoimmune markers was ANA +ve 23/27 (85%) (+ve titres of ANA > 1:80 in adults and 1:20 in children), ASMA +ve in 16/27 (59.2%) (+ve titres of ASMA > 1:40) and LKM1 in 3 patients. AMA in tires less than 1:80 was found in 3 patients. Liver histology changes seen were lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates (100%), bridging necrosis (93%), liver cell rossetting (80%) and fibrosis with or without cirrhosis (50%). CONCLUSION: Autoimmune liver disease is not uncommon in India and should be suspected in all patients with chronic liver disease, especially in non-viral, non-alcoholic, female patients. The diagnosis of AIH should however be made on the composite scoring system given by international group and not only on the presence or absence of autoimmune markers.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: clinicopathological profile.

AIMS: To evaluate clinicopathological spectrum of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) METHODOLOGY: Total 210 patients with chronic liver disease were evaluated. Detailed history has taken with clinical examination, laboratory investigations, radiological findings and liver biopsy whenever possible. RESULTS: From 210 patients of chronic liver disease, 13 (6.19%) were diagnosed to have NASH (M:F = 9:4, age range 37-72 years, mean age 55.4 +/- 9 years). Of 13 patients, four were referred for asymptomatic enzyme elevation, nine had right hypochondriac pain. Risk factors were diabetes in four cases, obesity four, steroid treatment two and hyperlipidemia in three cases. Laboratory investigations showed abnormal liver enzymes in all the cases. Ultrasonography and CT scan was helpful in predicting fatty liver. Liver biopsy showed steatosis with inflammation in all, fibrosis in two and cirrhosis in one patient. CONCLUSION: NASH is an important form of chronic liver disease, and is characterised by hepatomegaly, elevated liver enzymes. It is essential to diagnose this condition due to its progression to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in some patients.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

A patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with neuroendocrine features is reported. Identification of this tumor is essential due to its aggressive behavior and the differences in the treatment and clinical control of the patient.

Barrett's esophagus.

Contrary to earlier definition of Barrett's oesophagus which referred to the presence of metaplastic columnar epithelium of either gastric or intestinal type, the new definition lays stress on presence of specialised columnar epithelium (SEC) with goblet cells. Hence this study was carried out to determine the frequency of specialised columnar epithelium in Indian population. 150 cases of dyspepsia underwent esophagogatro duodenoscopy with esophageal biopsy. Slides were stained with routine H and E stain and alcian blue-PAS stain. Histologically, esophagitis was found in 75 (50%) and columnar epithelium-gastric type in 63 (42%) cases only 4 (2.6%) cases showed presence of specialised columnar epithelium which were labelled as Barrett's esophagus, giving an incidence of 2.6% in this study.

Histological spectrum of lymphoid follicles and aggregates in Helicobacter pylori gastritis.

Seventy three patients of non ulcer dyspepsia underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy from antrum and body of stomach. The tissue was stained with hematoxylin eosin and warthin starry stain. The severity of gastritis was correlated with the presence of Helicobacter pylori and lymphoid follicles and aggregates. The incidence of chronic atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori were found to be 97% and 64.1% respectively. Lymphoid follicles and aggregates were seen in 32.9% of chronic atrophic gastritis. Severity of gastritis with activity correlates with Helicobacter pylori colonisation and the presence of lymphoid follicles and aggregates. We have found that there is no difference between presence of lymphoid follicles and aggregates in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative gastritis. The development of lymphoid follicles probably represents an immune response to the colonisation of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori.