Intra- and interobserver agreement of histopathological findings in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis

Abstract Objective: To assess intra- and interobserver agreement among non-expert pathologists in identifying features of the eosinophilic esophagitis histologic scoring system (EoEHSS) in pediatric patients. Patients and methods: The authors used 50 slides from patients (aged 1-15 years; 72% male) with EoE. EoEHSS evaluates eosinophilic inflammation and other features including epithelial basal zone hyperplasia, eosinophilic abscesses, eosinophil surface layering, dilated intercellular spaces, surface epithelial alteration, dyskeratotic epithelial cells, and lamina propria fibrosis. Grade and stage of abnormalities are scored using a 4-point scale (0 normal; 3 maximum change). Four pathologists determined EoEHSS findings on two occasions. Intra- and interobserver agreement was assessed using Kappa (κ) statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients. Results: Intra- and interobserver agreement for the identification of eosinophil counts ≥ 15/high power field (HPF) was excellent, however varied when assessing additional features of the EoEHSS. For the more experienced pathologist, agreement for most EoEHSS items and the composite scores was substantial to excellent. For the less experienced pathologists, intraobserver agreement ranged from absent to substantial for individual features and ranged from moderate to substantial for the composite scores. Conclusion: Most items of the EoEHSS had substantial to excellent reliability when assessed by a pathologist experienced in the diagnosis of EoE but presented lower repeatability among less experienced pathologists. These findings suggest that specific training of pathologists is required for the identification of EoEHSS characteristics beyond eosinophil count, as these features are considered useful in the evaluation of response to treatment and correlation with clinical manifestations and endoscopic findings.

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells in the intestinal wall of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum / Neutrófilos, eosinófilos e mastócitos na parede intestinal de cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania infantum

Abstract Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania infantum and can cause an inflammatory reaction in the gastrointestinal tract, however the role of granulocytic cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells) in the intestine of dogs infected is not fully understood. We performed a quantitative analysis these cells in the intestinal wall of dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Twenty dogs were assigned to one of three groups: group 1 (G1, n=8), dogs with CVL and L. infantum amastigotes in the intestine; group 2 (G2, n=9), dogs with CVL but without intestinal amastigotes; and group 3 (G3, n=3), uninfected dogs (control group). Granulocytic cells were counted in the crypt-villus unit (mucosa), submucosa, and muscle layer of the intestinal mucosa. Cell counts were higher in the intestinal wall of dogs from G2 followed by G1 and G3 (p≤0.05). In G1, there was a low inverse correlation between parasite burden of the small intestine and granulocyte counts (r= -0.1, p≤0.01). However, in G2 dogs, mast cell and eosinophil numbers showed positive correlation (r=0.85, p≤0.01). The granulocytic cell hyperplasia observed in the intestine of L. infantum-infected dogs suggests that these cells may be involved in the cell-mediated immune response for parasite elimination.

Resumo A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma doença causada pelo protozoário Leishmania infantum e pode causar uma reação inflamatória no trato gastrointestinal, entretanto o papel das células granulocíticas (neutrófilos, eosinófilos e mastócitos) no intestino de cães infectados não é totalmente compreendido. Neste estudo realizamos uma análise quantitativa dessas células na parede intestinal de cães com LV. Vinte cães foram distribuídos em três grupos: grupo 1 (G1, n=8), cães com LV e amastigotas de L. infantum no intestino; grupo 2 (G2, n=9), cães com LV, mas sem amastigotas intestinais; e grupo 3 (G3, n=3), não infectados (grupo controle). Células granulocíticas foram contadas na unidade cripta-vilo (mucosa), submucosa e camada muscular da mucosa intestinal. Observamos hiperplasia dessas células na parede intestinal de cães do G2, seguidas das G1 em relação ao G3 (p≤0,05). No G1, houve uma correlação inversa baixa entre a carga parasitária do intestino delgado e a contagem de granulócitos (r= -0,1; p≤0,01). No entanto, nos cães do G2, os números de mastócitos e eosinófilos apresentaram correlação positiva (r=0,85; p≤0,01). A hiperplasia de células granulocíticas observada no intestino de cães infectados por L. infantum sugere que essas células podem estar envolvidas na resposta imune mediada por células para a eliminação do parasita.

Ocular involvement in idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis: a case report / Envolvimento ocular na paquimeningite hipertrófica idiopática associada à fibrose angiocêntrica eosinofílica: relato de caso

ABSTRACT A 43-year-old male with a history of eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis presented with headache and double vision since 48 h. Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis was diagnosed based on nuclear magnetic resonance and comprehensive systemic study findings. Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis and idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis have been associated with IgG4-related diseases, but this was the first case in which they coexisted in the same patient. After steroid treatment failure, rituximab was used with excellent results.

RESUMO Um homem de 43 anos, com história de fibrose angiocêntrica eosinofílica, apresentou cefaléia e visão dupla com 48 horas. A paquimeningite hipertrófica idiopática foi diagnosticada com base na ressonância magnética nuclear e em achados sistêmicos abrangentes no estudo. A fibrose angiocêntrica eosinofílica e a paquimeningite hipertrófica idiopática foram associadas a doenças relacionadas à IgG4, mas este foi o primeiro caso em que elas coexistiram no mesmo paciente. Após a falha do tratamento com esteroides, o rituximabe foi usado com excelentes resultados.

Oncocytoma of the lacrimal gland: a case report / Oncocitoma de glândula lacrimal: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Here we describe a rare case of a benign tumor in the lacrimal gland of a healthy 4-year-old girl. Mild proptosis was the only abnormality observed on clinical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right orbit revealed an oval, solid, well-circumscribed, homogeneous mass extending from the lacrimal gland and measuring 2.5 × 2.3 × 1.7 cm without any evidence of invasion into adjacent bones. The lesion was surgically excised and histological analyses defined the diagnosis of oncocytoma of the lacrimal gland. Although rare, oncocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors.

Resumo Nós descrevemos um raro caso de tumor benigno na glândula lacrimal em uma criança sadia de 4 anos de idade. Clinicamente, a paciente apresentava apenas uma discreta proptose. A ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) de órbita direita revelou a presença de uma massa oval, sólida, bem-circunscrita, homogênea, se extendendo a partir da glândula lacrimal, medindo 2,5 cm x 2,3 cm x 1,7 cm, sem nenhum sinal evidente de invasão a estrutura óssea adjacente. A lesão foi cirurgicamente removida e analizada histopatologicamente, sendo estabelecido o diagnóstico de oncocitoma de glândula lacrimal. Apesar de raro, o oncocitoma deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial de qualquer tumor originado da glândula lacrimal.

Eosinophilic annular erythema in adults: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract We herein report two cases of eosinophilic annular erythema in adults, which is rare. In both patients, lesions developed rapidly in few days and were located mainly on the trunk, buttocks, and extremities. Diagnosis was histopathological, with typical features including acute dermal inflammatory infiltrate with abundant eosinophils. One of the patients recurred after treatment on three occasions and finally cured spontaneously. The second patient recurred once and was then successfully treated with topical clobetasol. Clinical and histopathological features of eosinophilic annular erythema in adults have rarely been reported. A review of the literature and discussion of relationship with Wells syndrome are also included.

Correlation between the histopathology of chronic urticaria and its clinical picture

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is characterized by transient, pruritic lesions of varying sizes, with central pallor and well-defined edges, with disease duration longer than six weeks. Its cellular infiltrate consists of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. There is a subgroup of patients with eosinophilic or neutrophilic urticaria, resistant to the treatment with antihistamines, but that respond to a combination of antihistamine with other drugs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the present infiltration in chronic urticaria biopsies and correlate it with the clinical disease activity and response to treatment. METHODS: Forty-one patients with chronic urticaria were classified according to the score of severity of the disease, response to treatment and type of perivascular infiltrate. Inflammatory infiltrates were divided in eosinophilic (46.30%), neutrophilic and mixed. RESULTS: An association was found between the eosinophilic infiltrate and clinical scores of greater severity (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This association shows that the eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrates denote high clinical activity, which means more severe and exuberant clinical pictures of the disease.

Eosinophilic annular erythema in childhood - Case report

Abstract: Eosinophilic annular erythema is a rare, benign, recurrent disease, clinically characterized by persistent, annular, erythematous lesions, revealing histopathologically perivascular infiltrates with abundant eosinophils. This report describes an unusual case of eosinophilic annular erythema in a 3-year-old female, requiring sustained doses of hydroxychloroquine to be adequately controlled.

Los eosinófilos: ¿sólo parasitosis y alergia? / Eosinophils only in allergy and parasitosis?

Se presentan las propiedades biológicas del eosinófilo a la luz de novedosos hallazgos relacionados con su preponderante papel en muchas otras patologías más allá de las clásicas. Su participación como célula inflamatoria vinculada estrechamente con la inmunidad innata o connatural queda demostrada.

Novel aspects of eosinophil functions are exposed. They are closely related to several pathologies that were not taken into account in the past. Their role as an inflammatory cell in innate immunology is reinforced.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis: rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Besides being an uncommon clinicopathological entity, interstitial granulomatous dermatitis, also described as interstitial granulomatous dermatitis with arthritis (IGDA), has shown a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, such as linear and erythematous lesions, papules, plaques and nodules. Histological features include dense dermal histiocytic infiltrate, usually in a palisade configuration, and scattered neutrophils and eosinophils. We describe a middle aged woman with rheumatoid arthritis of difficult management and cutaneous lesions compatible with IGDA.

Assessment of Tumor Associated Tissue Eosinophilia (TATE) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Carbol Chromotrope Stain / Evaluación de la Eosinofilia Tisular Asociada al Tumor (TATE) en el Carcinoma Oral de Células Escamosas Mediante la Tinción de Carbol Cromótropo

Tumor related tissue eosinophilia (TATE) is a known phenomenon but its role in prognostics and correlation with size of the primary tumor is still controversial. Using a stain, like Carbol chromotrope, that targets eosinophils exclusively and vividly, offers an advantage over haematoxylin and eosin, which was used in most of the studies. Forty-nine cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, where the TNM staging has been recorded in their history, was taken and stained with Lendrum's carbol chromotrope. Significant difference in the eosinophil count with varying size of the tumor and a parallel increase in the number noted, with increase in size. There is a corresponding increase in the number of eosinophils infiltrating the tumor with increase in size of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

La eosinofilia tisular asociada a tumores (TATE) es un fenómeno conocido, sin embargo su pronóstico y correlación con el tamaño del tumor primario aún es tema de controversia. El uso de cromotropo como tinción dirigida exclusivamente a los eosinófilos, ofrece una ventaja sobre la hematoxilina-eosina, que ha sido utilizada en la mayoría de los estudios. Se estudiaron células escamosas en 49 casos de carcinoma oral, con registro del estadio TNM. Las células fueron teñidas con carbol cromotropo de Lendrum. Se observó una diferencia significativa en el recuento de eosinófilos con el tamaño del tumor y un aumento paralelo en número, con el aumento de tamaño. Hay un aumento correspondiente en el número de eosinófilos que infiltran el tumor con aumento en el tamaño de carcinoma de células escamosas orales.

Atopic dermatitis in adults: clinical and epidemiological considerations / Dermatite atópica em adultos: considerações clínicas e epidemiológicas

OBJECTIVE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease causing intense pruritus, and with typical clinical features. There are few epidemiological studies concerning AD in adults, as well as little information about its prognostic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological course of adults with AD. METHODS: 80 patients aged above 18 years (mean age = 29 years) were selected (30 males and 50 females) and interviewed about hospitalization, systemic corticoid usage, age of AD onset, and personal and/or familial history of atopy. Disease severity was evaluated through the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) tool. Laboratory examination included IgE serum levels and eosinophil blood count. RESULTS: 71 out of 80 patients referred association with respiratory symptoms (18 had asthma, 17 had rhinitis, and 36 had both conditions); nine out of 80 patients denied any respiratory disease. AD patients were divided in mild (n = 25), moderate (n = 30), and severe (n = 25); 56% had one or more hospitalizations due to AD. A positive association was found between IgE serum levels, eosinophil blood count, and disease severity. CONCLUSION: Adult AD represents a clinical challenge that needs to be better characterized, since it can be misdiagnosed and interferes with the patient's social and personal life. The association of skin and respiratory atopic disease is frequent, and laboratory parameters such as circulating IgE levels and eosinophil blood count may be helpful to assess disease severity.

OBJETIVO: Dermatite atópica (DA) é uma doenc¸a inflamatória crônica com prurido intenso e características clínicas típicas. Há poucos estudos epidemiológicos a respeito da DA em adultos, bem como pouca informação disponível sobre o seu prognóstico. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar as características clínicas e o curso epidemiológico dos adultos com DA. MÉTODOS: Foramselecionados 80 pacientes com idade acima de 18 anos (média de idade = 29 anos, 30 homens e 50 mulheres), que foram entrevistados sobre: internações, uso de corticóide sistêmico, idade de início da DA, história pessoal e/ou familiar de atopia. A gravidade da doença foi avaliada de acordo com o SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). A avaliação laboratorial incluiu dosagem sérica de IgE e contagem sanguínea de eosinófilos. RESULTADOS: 71 dos 80 pacientes referiram associação com sintomas respiratórios (18: asma, 17: rinite alérgica e 36: ambas as condições); nove dos 80 indivíduos negaram qualquer sintoma respiratório. Os pacientes com DA foram divididos em DA leve (n = 25), moderada (n = 30) e grave (n = 25); destes, 56% tiveram uma ou mais internações por conta da doença. Verificou-se uma associação entre níveis séricos de IgE, contagem sanguínea de eosinófilos e gravidade da doença. CONCLUSÃO: A DA do adulto representa um desafio clínico que necessita ser melhor caracterizado, uma vez que pode ser erroneamente diagnosticada, e interfere diretamente na vida social e pessoal dos pacientes. A associação entre manifestação respiratória e cutânea é frequente, e parâmetros laboratoriais como níveis de IgE circulante e contagem sanguínea de eosinófilos podem ser úteis para acompanhar a gravidade e evolução da doença.

Apoptose em pólipos nasais eosinofílicos submetidos in vitro ao tratamento com mitomicina C / Apoptosis in eosinophilic nasal polyps treated in vitro with mitomycin C

A etiopatogênese da polipose nasal eosinofílica ainda não foi esclarecida. Os eosinófilos constituem as principais células do infiltrado inflamatório e estão relacionados com a perpetuação do processo inflamatório na rinossinusite crônica com pólipos nasais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação in vitro da mitomicina no índice apoptótico de pólipos nasais eosinofílicos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo experimental autopareado com amostra de biópsia de 15 pacientes com polipose nasal eosinofílica. Cada fragmento foi dividido em dois grupos. No grupo experimental aplicou-se mitomicina por cinco minutos, na dosagem de 400 µg/ml. O grupo controle foi submetido às mesmas manipulações, mas utilizando-se somente meio de cultura. Os fragmentos contidos nos dois primeiros compartimentos, controle e experimento, foram imediatamente submetidas ao preparo para histopatologia. O outro par de amostra, contendo controle e experimento, foi incubado por 12 horas. Após 12 horas, os fragmentos foram retirados para exame histopatológico. O índice apoptótico foi determinado pela morfometria na coloração hematoxilina-eosina e pela análise da fragmentação do DNA. RESULTADO: A comparação do dois grupos demonstrou diferença significativa (p < 0,001) no índice apoptótico das culturas incubadas por 12 horas. CONCLUSÃO: A mitomicina induz in vitro o aumento do índice apoptótico dos eosinófilos dos pólipos nasais eosinofílicos.

The etiopathogenesis of eosinophilic nasal polyps is yet to be explained. Eosinophils are key components in the inflammatory infiltrate and are related to the perpetuation of the inflammatory process in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to evaluate the in vitro action of mitomycin upon the apoptotic index of nasal polyps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a self-paired prospective experimental study using biopsy fragments from 15 patients with eosinophilic nasal polyps. Biopsy fragments were divided into two groups. In the case group, the fragments were treated with 400 µg/ml of mitomycin for five minutes. The control group fragments were treated with culture medium. The pair of fragments contained in the two first compartments - control and case - were immediately sent to the histopathologist. The other pair of samples containing control and case fragments was incubated for 12 hours. The fragments were then taken to the histopathologist for testing. The apoptotic index was determined by the morphometry in hematoxylin and eosin staining and DNA fragmentation analysis (TUNEL reaction). RESULTS: The comparison between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0,001) in the apoptotic index of the 12-hour incubated cultures. CONCLUSION: Mitomycin acts in vitro upon the eosinophilic nasal polyps inducing the rise of the eosinophilic apoptotic index.

Epithelioid hemangioma (angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia) in the oral mucosa.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with an eosinophilia (ALHE) is a rare benign entity whose etiology and pathogenesis is under debate. Clinically, it is characterised by cutaneous papules or nodules on the head and neck. Literature reveals very few cases of this entity in the oral mucosa. Here, we report a case of ALHE in a 25 year-old woman, who presented with a painless, 5mm x 5mm, sub mucosal erythematous nodule on left angle of mouth at lower lip. Histological examination of lip biopsy specimens revealed an increase in small vessels. The vascular walls consist of prominent endothelial cells with a histiocytoid appearance, which protruded into the lumen. Many eosinophils and lymphocytes were also seen around the vessels. The diagnosis of ALHE was made from the above findings.

Vasculites e eosinófilos em biópsia endomiocárdica, como preditores de rejeição em transplante cardíaco / Vasculitides and eosinophils in emdomyocardial biopsies as rejection predictors in heart transplantation / Vasculitis y eosinófilos en biopsia endomiocárdica, como predictores de rechazo en transplante cardíaco

FUNDAMENTO: O significado clínico de vasculites, lesões isquêmicas, efeito Quilty e da presença de eosinófilos em biópsias endomiocárdicas de receptores de transplante cardíaco com rejeições leves não foi ainda estabelecido. OBJETIVO: Verificar se esses achados histológicos encontrados nas biópsias endomiocárdicas (eosinófilos, vasculites, efeito Quilty e lesões isquêmicas) são capazes de predizer rejeição aguda do enxerto. MÉTODOS: Foram reavaliadas 1.012 biópsias endomiocárdicas consecutivas; dessas, 939 foram classificadas como OR ou 1R pela Nomenclatura da Sociedade Internacional de Transplante de Coração e Pulmão de 2005, e divididas em dois grupos: (1) Biópsias preditoras: aquelas que precederam rejeição aguda; e (2) Biópsias não preditoras: aquelas que não precederam rejeição aguda. Comparamos a ocorrência dos seguintes achados histológicos: vasculites, lesões isquêmicas, efeito Quilty e eosinófilos por análise uni e multivariada entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Após análise estatística verificou-se a presença de vasculite intensa e de eosinófilos como maiores preditores para rejeição aguda futura, apresentando respectivamente as seguintes razões de chance: 10,60 (IC95 por cento: 3,62 - 31,06. p < 0,001) e 6,26 (IC95 por cento: 3,16 - 12,43. p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Vasculites intensas e eosinófilos em biópsias do miocárdio são os principais fatores preditores de rejeição aguda pós-transplante cardíaco.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and the presence of eosinophils in endomyocardial biopsies of heart transplantation recipients with mild rejection has yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether these histological findings observed in endomyocardial biopsies (eosinophils, vasculitides, Quilty effect and ischemic lesions) are capable of predicting acute graft rejection. METHODS: A total of 1,012 consecutive endomyocardial biopsies were reevaluated; of these, 939 were classified as OR or 1R according to the Nomenclature of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation of 2005 and divided in two groups: (1) Predictive biopsies: those that preceded acute rejection; and (2) Nonpredictive biopsies: those that did not precede acute rejection. We compared the occurrence of the following histological findings: vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and eosinophils between the groups by uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that the presence of severe vasculitides and eosinophils were the best predictors for future acute rejection, with the following odds ratios: 10.60 (95 percentCI: 3.62 - 31.06. p < 0.001) and 6.26 (95 percentCI: 3.16 - 12.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severe vasculitides and eosinophils in myocardial biopsies are the main predictive factors of acute graft rejection post-heart transplantation.

FUNDAMENTO: El significado clínico de vasculitis, lesiones isquémicas, efecto Quilty y de la presencia de eosinófilos en biopsias endomiocárdicas de receptores de transplante cardíaco con rechazos leves no fue aun establecido. OBJETIVO: Verificar si esos hallazgos histológicos encontrados en las biopsias endomiocárdicas (eosinófilos, vasculitis, efecto Quilty y lesiones isquémicas) son capaces de predecir rechazo agudo del injerto. MÉTODOS: Fueron reevaluadas 1.012 biopsias endomiocárdicas consecutivas; de esas, 939 fueron clasificadas como OR o 1R por la Nomenclatura de la Sociedad Internacional de Transplante de Corazón y Pulmón de 2005, y divididas en dos grupos: (1) Biopsias predictoras: aquellas que precedieron rechazo agudo; y (2) Biopsias no predictoras: aquellas que no precedieron rechazo agudo. Comparamos la ocurrencia de los siguientes hallazgos histológicos: vasculitis, lesiones isquémicas, efecto Quilty y eosinófilos por análisis uni y multivariado entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: Después de análisis estadístico se verificó la presencia de vasculitis intensa y de eosinófilos como mayores predictores para rechazo agudo futuro, presentando respectivamente las siguientes razones de posibilidad: 10,60 (IC95 por ciento: 3,62 - 31,06. p < 0,001) y 6,26 (IC95 por ciento: 3,16 - 12,43. p < 0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: Vasculitis intensas y eosinófilos en biopsias del miocardio son los principales factores predictores de rechazo agudo post transplante cardíaco.

Hallazgos endoscópicos-morfológicos en la esofagitis eosinofílica / Endoscopic-morphological findings in eosinophilic esophagitis

La esofagitis eosinofílica es una condición recientemente descrita, que puede presentarse a cualquier edad y es actualmente la causa más común de disfagia e impactación alimentaria en el adulto, otros síntomas incluyen pirosis, náuseas, vómitos y dolor retroesternal. El diagnóstico comienza con la sospecha clínica, sin embargo el médico se apoya fuertemente en los hallazgos endoscópicos y morfológicos para obtener el diagnóstico en los pacientes con esta entidad. Describir los hallazgos endoscópicos y morfológicos en pacientes con esofagitis eosinofílica. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal. Se incluyeron 7 pacientes con historia clínica sugestiva de esofagitis eosinofílica. Se realizó endoscopia digestiva superior en estos pacientes en busca de hallazgos endoscópicos reportados para esta entidad (como son surcos longitudinales, anillos concéntricos) y se tomaron biopsias de todos los segmentos esofágicos obteniéndose el diagnóstico histológico morfológico en presencia de hiperplasia acentuada del estrato basal, presencia de eosinófilos intraepiteliales, y un contaje mayor de 24 eosinófilos por campo de mayor aumento (40x). El 86% de nuestros pacientes fueron masculinos, en edades comprendidas entre los 21 y 43 años. La evolución del cuadro clínico fue de 1 a 72 meses y los síntomas de presentación más comunes fueron disfagia (100%), pirosis (71,4%) y la impactación alimentaria (57,1%). Los hallazgos endoscópicos más frecuentes fueron los surcos longitudinales (100%) y los anillos concéntricos (71,4%), solo se observó estrechez en un paciente. Todos los pacientes estudiados presentaron hiperplasia de la capa basal, eosinófilos intraepiteliales y contaje aumentado de eosinófilos. Los hallazgos endoscópicos y morfológicos permiten obtener el diagnóstico de esofagitis eosinofílica, en pacientes con historia clínica sugestiva de esta entidad...

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a recently-described condition that may be present at any age and currently is the most common cause of dysfagia and food impactation in adults; other symptoms include heartburn, nausea, vomits, and retrosternal pain. Diagnosis begins with the clinical suspicion; however, the physician strongly relies on endoscopic and morphological findings for obtaining the diagnosis in patients with this entity. Describing the endoscopic and morphological findings in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. A cross-sectioned retrospective descriptive analysis was performed. 7 patients were included, who had a clinical record that suggested eosinophilic esophagitis. An upper digestive endoscopy was performed in these patients to look for the endoscopic findings reported for this entity - such as longitudinal grooves, concentric rings - and biopsy samples were taken of all the esophageal segments, and the histological morphological diagnosis was obtained in the presence of basal layer hyperplasia, presence of intraepithelial eosinophils, and a count higher than 24 eosinophils per higher power field (40x). 86% of patients were males between ages ranging from 21 and 43. The clinical setting evolution was 1-72 months, and the more-commonly present symptoms were: dysfagia (100%), heartburn (71.4%), and food impactation (57.1%). The most frequent findings were longitudinal grooves (100%), and concentric rings (71.4%); narrowness was found in one patient only. All patients in the study showed basal layer hyperplasia, intraepithelial eosinophils, and increased count of eosinophils. Endoscopic and morphological findings allow to obtaining the eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosis in patients whose clinical record suggests this entity...

Subcutaneous tissue reaction to castor oil bean and calcium hydroxide in rats

Castor oil bean cement (COB) is a new material that has been used as an endodontic sealer, and is a candidate material for direct pulp capping. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a new formulation of COB compared to calcium hydroxide cement (CH) and a control group without any material, in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The materials were prepared, packed into polyethylene tubes, and implanted in the rat dorsal subcutaneous tissue. Animals were sacrificed at the 7th and 50th days after implantation. A quantitative analysis of inflammatory cells was performed and data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5 percent significance level. RESULTS: Comparing the mean number of inflammatory cells between the two experimental groups (COB and CH) and the control group, statistically significant difference (p=0.0001) was observed at 7 and 50 days. There were no significant differences (p=0.111) between tissue reaction to CH (382 inflammatory cells) and COB (330 inflammatory cells) after 7 days. After 50 days, significantly more inflammatory cells (p=0.02) were observed in the CH group (404 inflammatory cells) than in the COB group (177 inflammatory cells). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the COB cement induces less inflammatory response within long periods.

Evidence for eosinophil degranulation in acute appendicitis.

Finding of increased numbers of eosinophils in the muscle in cases of acute appendicitis has led to the hypothesis that it may have an allergic origin. This study aimed to measure the eosinophil degranulation resulting in a rise in the serum of eosinophil granule proteins that would be expected in such cases. The levels of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) measured by chemiluminescence assay in acute appendicitis were compared, with those of appropriate controls. Mean (95% CI) serum ECP (microg/L) levels were: acute appendicitis 45.3 (27.7-63.0); normal appendix 22.7 (16.0-29.3); asthma 24.2 (4.6-43.8); and healthy volunteers 13.2 (8.3-18.1). In cases of acute appendicitis, there is an inverse relationship between duration of symptoms and serum ECP. However, this was not statistically significant. Significant local eosinophil activation and degranulation occurs in acute appendicitis, enough to cause a rise in serum levels of eosinophil chemotactic protein.

A distribuição dos eosinófilos nas diferentes fases de evolução do granuloma hepático em camundongos infectados pelo Schistosoma mansoni / Distribution of eosinophils at different stages of hepatic granuloma evolution in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

No presente estudo, avaliou-se a distribuição dos eosinófilos nas diferentes fases da formação do granuloma hepático de camundongos infectados pelo Schistosoma mansoni. A partir dos resultados obtidos sugerimos uma nova classificação para a evolução do granuloma hepático em camundongos montada a partir de fases descritas por outros autores. Em cada fase há um padrão diferente de distribuição dos eosinófilos. Na fase necrótico-exudativa os eosinófilos encontram-se concentrados na periferia e no centro do granuloma e na área de necrose eles são escassos; na "produtiva" os eosinófilos estão ainda distribuídos de maneira difusa por todo o granuloma; na de cura por fibrose se concentram na periferia e no centro do granuloma. Os eosinófilos estavam em contato direto com os ovos em todos os estágios de evolução dos granulomas. Conclui-se então que a dinâmica dos eosinófilos possui papel importante na formação da reação granulomatosa do hospedeiro e resolução do processo inflamatório causado pelo ovo do parasita, além de acrescentar novos dados na classificação dos granulomas hepáticos.

In the present study, the distribution of eosinophils at different stages of the formation of hepatic granuloma in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated. From the results obtained, we suggest a new classification for the evolution of hepatic granuloma in mice, constructed from the phases described by other authors. In each phase, there is a different pattern of eosinophil distribution. In the exudative-necrotic phase, the eosinophils are concentrated in the periphery and center of the granuloma, and are scarce in the necrotic area; in the productive phase, the eosinophils are dispersed throughout the granuloma; and in the cure due to fibrosis phase, the eosinophils are concentrated in the periphery and center of the granuloma. Eosinophils were found in direct contact with the eggs at all stages of evolution of the granuloma. It was concluded that the dynamics of eosinophils have an important role in forming the granulomatous reaction of the host and in resolving the inflammatory process caused by the parasite egg, as well as adding new data regarding hepatic granuloma classification.

Comparison of the biocompatibility of different root canal irrigants

The purpose of this study was to compare the reaction of rat subcutaneous connective tissue to 0.9 percent sterile saline, 2.5 percent sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 5.25 percent NaOCl and 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate solution or gel. Six circles were demarcated on the dorsal skin of 24 male Wistar rats, leaving 2 cm between each circle. Using a syringe, 0.1 mL of each root canal irrigant was injected subcutaneously into 5 circles. In the 6th circle, the needle of an empty syringe was introduced into the skin, but no irrigant was injected (control group). Evaluations were undertaken at 2 h, 48 h, 14 days and 30 days post-procedure. Tissue samples were excised, embedded in paraffin blocks and 3-µm-thick sections were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The areas of inflammatory reaction were evaluated and analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test. The control group showed few or no inflammatory reaction areas in the subcutaneous tissue. 0.9 percent saline solution, 2.0 percent chlorhexidine solution and 2.5 percent NaOCl showed a good biocompatibility, as very mild inflammatory reaction was detected at 14 days and tissue repair occurred at 30 days. 5.25 percent NaOCl was the most toxic irrigant, as the number of inflammatory cells remained elevated at 14 and 30 days. The group treated with 2.0 percent chlorhexidine gluconate gel presented a moderate inflammatory response at 14 days, which decreased at 30 days, being considered similar to that of the control group, 0.9 percent saline solution, 2.0 percent chlorhexidine solution and 2.5 percent NaOCl at this experimental period.