Cytogenetic and molecular analyses of philadelphia chromosome variants in CML [chronic myeloid leukemia] patients from Sindh using karyotyping and RT-PCR

To determine the frequency of Philadelphia chromosome [Ph] and its variants in chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] cases at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh. The study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro and Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad during May-to-September 2014. Bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from a total of 145 diagnosed cases of CML were collected. Cytogenetic analyses were performed using karyotyping as per the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature guidelines. All karyotypic images were analyzed using the Cytovision software. In order to identify BCR-ABL transcripts, RT-PCR was performed. Statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS-version-21.0. Of the 145 samples, a total of 133 [91.7%] were positive for the Ph [Ph+] while 12 [8.3%] were negative for the Ph [Ph-]. Of the 133 Ph+ samples, standard karyotypes were noted in 121 [91%], simple variants in 9 [6.7%] and complex variants in 3 [2.3%] of the samples. All the Ph+ samples [n=133] showed BCR-ABL positivity. Of the 12 Ph- samples, a total of 7 [58.3%] were BCR-ABL-positive and 5 [41.6%] were BCR-ABL-negative. Frequency of the Ph was found to be of 90.9% in CML patients using a highly sensitive technique, the RT-PCR. Cytogenetic abnormalities were at a lower frequency. Cytogenetic and molecular studies must be conducted for better management of CML cases. These findings could be very useful in guiding the appropriate therapeutic options for CML patients

Lactoferrin levels in mother's milk

This study was aimed to see the significance of Lactoferrin in human breast milk among lactating mothers of healthy and sick babies. This study was conducted at pathology and paediatrics departments of Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences Nawabshan, Shaheed Benazirabad between Jan 2011 to Dec 2011. Cross sectional study. Lactoferin levels in breast milk of 356 mothers of healthy babies were estimated and similarly lactoferrin levels in breast milk of 318 lactating mothers of sick babies were estimated and these results were analyzed. The mean lectoferrin level in breast milk of 356 lactating mothers of healthy babies was 9.37 mg/ml and the mean lactoferrin level in breast milk of 318 mothers nursing sick babies was 3.73 mg/ml. There is decrease in lactoferrin levels of lactating mothers of sick babies in their mature milk, which could account for the susceptibility of their babies to infection

significance of alanine aminotransferase level in chronic hepatitis C infection

To determine the significance of alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level in tfirbftib hepatitis C infection in our setup. A prospective cross-sectional, observational study carried out from August 2006 to June 2008. Departments of Pathology, Nawabshah Medical College Nawabshah and research institute of LUMHS Jamshoro. A total of 344 HCV-PCR positive patients having histological evidence of chronic hepatitis with either fibrosis or inflammatory activity by biopsy were evaluated 239 men and 105 women with ages between 18-55 years of age were included in the study. All the patients went for FLISA test for the presence of HCV antibodies by ELISA kit of Biokit Spain, and then a 5.0 ml of blood was collected in a tube with separating gel, to obtain serum, which was stored at room temperature for the determination of alanine aminotransferase by Ecoline kit on Slectra automatic chemical analyzer of Merck, Germany. The ALT was estimated in 344 patients and was 4.4 times higher [mean level

54.5 U/L] than normal in 335 [97.38%] patients, while 09 [2.61%] patients showed ALT level with in normal limit. The data in the current study indicates importance of ALT in chronic hepatitis C infection, and shows that ALT is the major liver enzyme and is a marker of liver infection or hepatitis, as majority [97.38%] of patient in our study showed a high level of ALT

Significance of HER-2/neu oncoprotein overexpression in invassive ductal breast cancer

To asses the frequency of HER-2/neu Oncoprotein over expression in invasive ductal breast cancer and correlate it with various prognostic parameters. Comparitive cross-sectional study was carriedout at department of pathology Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Seventy two [72] formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma were retrieved and 5 m.m thick sections were cut and stained with H and E for the review of diagnosis and grading. The immunohistochemical staining was done on 4m.m thick sections by using Polyclonal rabbit anti HER-2 ZYMED USA, and ZYMED 2nd generation LAB-SA immunodetection system, to see the HER-/neu over expression. Section containing > 50% of tumor cells exhibiting intense circumferential cell membrane staining scored as positive. Thirty one [31%] positive over expression was observed. A statistically significant result [P<.05] was found between HER-2/neu over-expression and lymph node status and size of tumor. Oncoprotein HER-2/neu over expression is directly related to the lymph node status and size of the tumor. These patients may benefit from a more aggressive therapy like Herceptin and can also be used as a prognostic marker in the follow up of these patients

audit of peripheral lymphadenopathy

To evaluate the causes of Peripheral Lymphadenopathy. A descriptive and cross sectional study conducted from July 2004 to June 2006. Department of Surgery and Pathology, Nawabshah Medical College and Hospital, Nawabshah. A total of 116 patients with Peripheral Lymphadenopathy. The patients were evaluated for outcome parameters in relation to age, sex. Site and specific cause of peripheral lymphadenopathy. A total of 116 patients including 64 [55.17%] females and 52[44.82%] males were evaluated for peripheral lymphadenopathy. Their ages ranged between nine months to 70 years with a mean age of 27.14 years; majority belonged to the age group 11 to 20 years. Forty seven [40.51%] patients had cervical lymph nodes enlargement, 42 [36.20%] mesenteric, 24 [20.86%] axillary and 3 [2.85%] inguinal nodes enlargement. Tuberculosis and malignancy were the main causes of lymphadenopathy with an incidence of 53.44% and 13.79% respectively. Nine [7.75%] cases had acute lymphadenitis and 27 [23.25%] reactive hyperplasia, while in tow [1.72%] cases no pathology was detected. Peripheral Lymphadenopathy without any obvious cause presents a diagnostic dilemma

Tuberculosis of the breast: a cytomorphological study of nine cases

To determine the role of FNAC with histological confirmation in the diagnosis of tuberculous mastitis, and to highlights its importance by determination of frequency, clinical history, clinical presentation and laboratory investigations in our setup. A retrospective case series from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2006. Department of Pathology, Nawabshah Medical College, Nawabshah. Nine patients with mammary tuberculosis. The data was collected from patients files and other record, and the results tabulated. All were married multiparous women, aged 18-42 years, belonging to poor socio-economical class. One was pregnant, while three were lactating mothers. Associated pulmonary tuberculosis was present in three cases. Previous history of tuberculosis was present in one case, though five patients had a family history of tuberculosis. Lump in the breast, with or without ulceration/ abscess/ discharging sinus was the clinical presentation of all the cases, as was low grade fever and pain. All patients had anemia and weight loss, though axillary lymphadenopathy was seen in five cases. ESR was raised in all the cases and the Mantoux test was positive. The glutaraldehyde test was positive, though it was performed in three cases only. AFB were seen in one case only. The diagnosis was made on FNAC by the presence of chronic granulomatous inflammation having caseating epithelioid granulomas and Langhan's type of giant cells. The cytological diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologicaI findings of excisional biopsy specimen in all the cases. The present study highlights the importance of tuberculous mastitis; its frequency being 2.3% in breast diseases. FNAC is an important initial diagnostic tool in patients having tuberculous mastitis, specially in the rural areas. It is safe, rapid, simple, cost effective and accurate, the accuracy being 100%

Gleason grading of carcinoma prostate at Nawabshah medical college / Hospital

To evaluate the Gleason Score and pathological grading of patients with Carcinoma of the Prostate amongst prostatectomy specimen. A retrospective study from January 1996 to December 2005. Nawabshah Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah. A total 4595 patients who underwent prostatectomy. Detailed data of the patients was retrieved from the case sheets, ward records and the Pathology Department by manual search, and analyzed. Amongst the total 595 cases, the age range was 50-90 years with a mean age 465.08 years. Out of the 595 prostatectomy specimen submitted during the study period, 46 [7.73%] had adenocarcinoma. According to the Gleason Score 18 [39.13%] cases had well differentiated [Score 2-4], 24 [52.17%] had moderately differentiated [Score 5-7] and four [8.69%] cases had poorly differentiated [Score8-10] adenocarcinoma. Gleason Score is a universally accepted prognostic indicator of Carcinoma Prostate. Pathologists must report consistently for the better management of the condition

Correlation of age with histopathological type of testicular tumors

The aim of the study was to find out the frequency and histopathologic type of various testicular tumors in correlation with age of the patients in our setup. It was a retrospective, descriptive study carried out at the Department of Pathology, Peoples Medical College, Nawabshah, Pakistan. All testicular tumors diagnosed from January 1991 to December 2005 were included in the study. The clinical data and surgical pathology reports with haematoxylin and eosin stained slides were obtained from the record. All the cases were reviewed and results tabulated. The patients were divided into six age groups and the tumors classified according to the pathological classification of testicular tumors. During this period 73 cases of testicular tumors were diagnosed in the department. All cases were diagnosed as germ cell tumors [100%]; consisting of 57 [78.1%] cases of single histologic type and 16 [21.9%] cases of mixed germ cell tumors. Most of the cases presented in the 3[rd] and 4[th] decades. Seminoma was found to be the commonest tumor in 27 [37%] cases, embryonal carcinoma in 29 [27.4%] cases, teratocarcinoma in 11 [15.1%] cases, yolk sac tumor and teratoma each in 5 [6.8%] cases, embryonal carcinoma with seminoma in 3 [4.1%] cases and teratoma with seminoma in 2 [2.8%] cases. In this study the ages of the patients and the frequency and histopathological findings in testicular tumors, with few exceptions are similar to other studies from different parts of the world, confirming the worldwide similarity of these parameters