Brunner's gland hamartoma with dysplasia, presenting as multiple duodenal polyps: An unexplored entity with literature review

Brunner's gland hamartomas (BGHs) are uncommon lesions of duodenum which show hyperplasia of these glands along with smooth muscle bundles, adipose tissue and lymphoid aggregates. These are usually benign, solitary, pedunculated, polypoidal lesions. Dysplastic changes in BGH are extremely rare and even rarer is the multiplicity of this lesion. We hereby report an index case of BGH showing features of high-grade dysplasia, presenting as multiple duodenal polyps.

Diminished CD40L expression on T-cells in a case of disseminated cryptococcosis

X-linked hyperimmunoglobulin M (HIGM) syndrome may increase the susceptibility of patients to disseminated cryptococcal infections primarily due to CD40L deficiency that causes defective cross talk between T- and B-cells, thus preventing class switching. In HIGM syndrome, serum IgM levels are elevated with severe reduction in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA levels. In addition, the expression of CD40L (CD154) on in vitro-activated T-cells is severely reduced or absent. Here, we describe a rare, and perhaps, the first reported case in India of a 3-year-old male child with X-linked HIGM immunodeficiency syndrome who developed disseminated Cryptococcosis. Evaluation of the serum IgG profile of the patient revealed increased serum IgM levels with reduced IgG and IgA levels. Both the frequency and the function of T-cells, primarily CD40L on activated T-cells, showed weak expression suggestive of HIGM syndrome.