Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions and associated factors among women attending a cervical cancer clinic in Western Uganda; results based on Pap smear cytology.

Introduction: There are high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer among females in East Africa. This is exacerbated by limited up-to-date data on premalignant lesions and associated factors in this setting. In this study, we determined the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions and associated factors among women attending the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital cervical cancer clinic in Southwestern Uganda. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 364 participants were recruited from among women attending the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital cervical cancer clinic from 1 April to 30 June 2023. On consent, the study nurse collected demographic data and Pap smears, which were microscopically examined and reported by a laboratory scientist and a pathologist following the Bethesda grading system (2014). Statistical analyses were done in STATA version 17, using proportions, Chi-square, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associated factors at ⩽0.05 significance level. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.9 years. A third of all study participants (37.6%, 132/351) were contraceptive users, mostly hormonal contraceptives (87.1%, 115/132). Almost 88% (307/351) had an unknown Human Papilloma Virus status. The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions among our study participants was 6.6% (23/351), of which 73.9% (17/23) were low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. More than half (9/17, 52.9%) of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were active hormonal contraceptive users. Use of hormonal contraceptives (OR: 3.032, p: 0.0253), use of intrauterine devices (OR: 6.284, p: 0.039), and any family history of cervical cancer (OR: 4.144, p: 0.049) were significantly associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions. Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions was 6.6%, lower than global estimates. Use of hormonal and intrauterine device contraceptives, as well as family history of cervical cancer, were significantly associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions among our study population. Prospective studies are recommended to further understand associations between different types of intrauterine devices and hormonal contraceptives, and cervical lesions.

A cross-sectional study of ERG expression and the relationship with clinicopathological features of Prostate cancer in Southwestern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Uganda and most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene is the most common genetic alteration seen among prostate cancer patients. There are several contradicting reports about the association of ERG protein with poor prognosis, high PSA, and Gleason score. This study determined the prevalence of ERG expression and the relationship with PSA, Gleason score, and Age of prostate cancer patients in Southwestern Uganda. METHODS: We reviewed 130 archived prostate biopsy (needle and TURP) specimens from patients of age ≥ 50 years who had a histological diagnosis of prostate cancer. We obtained their biodata, and preoperative PSA, from the archived records. We did Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to determine the prevalence of ERG expression. RESULTS: The mean patient age in our study was 74.64 ± 10.19 years. Pre-operative PSA levels had been done for 79.2% of the participants. Most cancers (58.46%) were of high grade (grade group 3-5). ERG expression prevalence was 75.4% and its expression was independent of age, re-operative PSA, and Gleason score. CONCLUSION: There is a significantly higher prevalence of ERG expression in our study compared to what is reported in other African-based studies. The expression of the ERG is independent of age, Gleason score, and serum PSA levels. A high proportion of our prostate cancer has high-grade disease at the time of diagnosis.

Association between HIV Serostatus and premalignant cervical lesions among women attending a cervical cancer screening clinic at a tertiary care facility in southwestern Uganda: a comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Uganda has approximately 1.2 million people aged 15-64 years living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among HIV-positive women than among HIV-negative women. Additionally, HIV-infected women are more likely to have human papilloma virus (HPV) infection progress to cancer than women not infected with HIV. We determined the prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions and their association with HIV infection among women attending a cervical cancer screening clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 210 women aged 22-65 years living with HIV and 210 women not living with HIV who were systematically enrolled from March 2022 to May 2022. Participants were subjected to a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to obtain their demographic and clinical data. Additionally, Papanicolaou smears were obtained for microscopy to observe premalignant cervical lesions. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the association between HIV status and premalignant cervical lesions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions in the study population was 17% (n = 72; 95% C.I: 14.1-21.4), with 23% (n = 47; 95% C.I: 17.8-29.5) in women living with HIV and 12% (n = 25; 95% C.I: 8.2-17.1) in women not living with HIV (p < 0.003). The most common premalignant cervical lesions identified were low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) in both women living with HIV (74.5%; n = 35) and women not living with HIV (80%; n = 20). HIV infection was significantly associated with premalignant lesions (aOR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.27-4.42; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Premalignant cervical lesions, particularly LSILs, were more common in HIV-positive women than in HIV-negative women, highlighting the need to strengthen the integration of cervical cancer prevention strategies into HIV care programs.

Type 1 Gaucher's Disease. A Rare Genetic Lipid Metabolic Disorder Whose Diagnosis Was Concealed by Recurrent Malaria Infections in a 12-Year-Old Girl.

Introduction: Gaucher disease is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease with unknown prevalence in Africa and no record of the disease exists in Uganda. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 12-year-old female, the last born of 6 from a family with no known familial disease who presented with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease and superimposed malaria. The disease was initially misdiagnosed as hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly but was subsequently confirmed by examination of the bone marrow smear and core. The disease was managed supportively and splenectomy was done due to worsening hematological parameters. She currently takes morphine for bone pains in addition to physiotherapy. Conclusion: Always HMS is a common complication in malaria endemic areas, other causes of hepatosplenomegaly need to be excluded before the diagnosis is made. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare conditions like GD is still a challenge in developing countries. Although splenectomy is indicated in GD, it should only be done when it is absolutely necessary.

Primary Breast Burkitt Lymphoma. A Case Report of a 16-Year-Old Female with a Rapidly Growing Unilateral Breast Mass.

Introduction: Primary breast Burkitt lymphoma is extremely rare. Commonly endemic Burkitt lymphoma presents with abdominal, jaw, periorbital, or genitourinary mass. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 16-year-old girl with rapidly enlarging left breast swelling associated with evening fevers. This was later confirmed to be stage 1 primary breast Burkitt lymphoma involving the left breast. This represents the first described case of primary breast endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Uganda. She was started on chemotherapy and exhibited an impressive response to the drugs. Conclusion: This case raises awareness of rare sites for endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Uganda. Accurately diagnosing this case was of great importance since it determined the treatment modality (mastectomy or not) which would have an everlasting impact on her life.

Clinical and Histopathologic Predictors of Survival Among Children With Retinoblastoma From Two Tertiary Health Facilities in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a malignant tumour that develops from the immature cells of the retina. It is the most frequent type of paediatric intraocular cancer and is curable. Clinical and histological findings after enucleation of the affected eye dictate not only the patient's secondary care but also their prognosis. We assessed the clinical and histopathologic predictors of survival among children with RB from two tertiary health facilities in Uganda. METHODS: This retrospective research utilized archived formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded blocks of eye specimens enucleated between 2014 and 2016 at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Pathology Department and Ruharo Eye Centre (REC) in Mbarara, Uganda. The specimens were then processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The confirmation of RB was made to include the histologic stage and features of the tumor. Biographic data of the patients and clinical features, such as leukocoria, proptosis, phthisis, staphyloma and buphthalmos, were retrieved from the records. RESULTS: Males (55.1%, n=43) dominated the study population (N=78). The median age was 31 months. The most common clinical sign was leukocoria (69.2%, n=52), and the most predominant histopathological stage was stage 1 (41%, n=32). Optic nerve (ON) invasion was seen in 38.5% (n=30), choroidal invasion in 29.5% (n=23), scleral invasion in 7.7% (n=6) and orbital extension in 16.7% (n=13) of the cases. Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes were seen in 34.6% (n=27). Necrosis was a prominent feature (71.8%, n=56). The two-year survival was estimated to be 61.5% (n=48). Leukocoria (risk ratio (RR) 1.1), female gender (RR 1.4), intralaminar ON invasion (RR 7.6) and a lack of orbital extension (RR 7) were significant predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Leukocoria and proptosis are noticeable clinical signs of RB. Most patients present while in stage one although stage four presentation is also common. Leukocoria, ON invasion, orbital extension and gender are significant factors predictive of survival in patients with RB.

Building Perinatal Pathology Research Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: Over two million stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) annually. Despite multilateral efforts, reducing perinatal mortality has been slow. Although targeted pathologic investigation can often determine the cause of perinatal death, in resource-limited settings, stillbirths, early neonatal deaths, and placentas are rarely examined pathologically. However, the placenta is a key source of diagnostic information and is the main determinant of fetal growth and development in utero, influencing child health outcomes. Methods: In 2016, our collaborative intercontinental group began investigating infectious perinatal death and adverse child health outcomes in Uganda. We developed and initiated a 4-day combined didactic/practical curriculum to train health workers in placental collection, gross placental examination, and tissue sampling for histology. We also trained a local technician to perform immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Overall, we trained 12 health workers who performed gross placental assessment for > 1,000 placentas, obtaining > 5,000 formalin-fixed tissue samples for research diagnostic use. Median placental weights ranged from 425 to 456 g, and 33.3% of placentas were < 10th percentile in weight, corrected for gestational age. Acute chorioamnionitis (32.3%) and maternal vascular malperfusion (25.4%) were common diagnoses. Discussion: Through a targeted training program, we built capacity at a university-affiliated hospital in sSA to independently perform placental collection, gross pathologic examination, and placental tissue processing for histology and special stains. Our training model can be applied to other collaborative research endeavors in diverse resource-limited settings to improve research and clinical capacity and competency for diagnostics and management of stillbirth, neonatal death, and child health outcomes.

Modified Plasma-Thrombin Method of Cell Block Preparation for Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies in Resource-Limited Settings.

OBJECTIVES: The plasma-thrombin method is commonly used to make cell blocks from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples but requires centrifugation. We describe a modification to this method that does not require centrifugation for use in resource-limited settings. METHODS: Pooled fresh plasma is aliquoted into 2-mL Eppendorf tubes and the FNA sample directly rinsed into the plasma. Two drops of reconstituted thrombin are added and gently mixed. A cell clot is transferred to a tissue bag, fixed in formalin, and processed. This method was applied to FNA samples from 44 patients presenting to the Mbarara University of Science and Technology FNA clinic. RESULTS: The cell blocks were less cellular than the smears but contained adequate material to confirm morphologic impression or perform immunocytochemistry in 36 of 44 cases (82% adequacy rate). CONCLUSIONS: The modified plasma-thrombin method is a reliable cell block preparation method that can be easily applied in resource-limited settings.