Immunohistochemical study of benign bilharzial lesions of the urinary bladder in schistosoma haematobium infested patients

The distribution of laminin [LM] [a basement membrane glycoprotein] and fibronectin [FN] [an extracellular matrix glycoprotein] were studied in different types of bilharzial lesions in 60 cystoscopic specimens. This was done by immunoperoxidase methods. The distribution of FN in cellular, fibrocellular and fibrotic granulomas showed increasing progressive dense FN network expression, respectively. FN expression was presented in late or fibrotic granuloma functions as a mediator and indicator of healing. The distribution of LM is characterized by continuous band-like reactivity. It was present in benign, hyperplastic urothelial lesions. In contrast, complete loss of this band-like staining was constantly observed in metaplastic urothelial lesions, so laminin might be an important indicator for premalignant and malignant changes which needs further studies