Parthenocarpic fruit development in tomato.

Parthenocarpic fruit development is a very attractive trait for growers and consumers. In tomato, three main sources of facultative parthenocarpy, pat, pat-2, pat-3/pat-4, are known to have potential applications in agriculture. The parthenocarpic fruit development in these lines is triggered by a deregulation of the hormonal balance in some specific tissues. Auxins and gibberellins are considered as the key elements in parthenocarpic fruit development of those lines. An increased level of these hormones in the ovary can substitute for pollination and trigger fruit development. This has opened up genetic engineering approaches for parthenocarpy that have given promising results, both in quality and quantity of seedless fruit production.

[Brooke-Spiegler syndrome]. / Syndrome de Brooke-Spiegler.

BACKGROUND: Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is an association of multiple trichoepitheliomas and cylindromas, sometimes accompanied by other adnexal tumors. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old woman with trichoepitheliomas involving the naso-genal and mental areas associated with cylindromas and spiradenomas on the forehead and pretragal regions creating a turban effect. Other complete or diassociated syndromes were found in family members. No neoplastic tumor was identified. DISCUSSION: Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is an hereditary disease with autosomal dominant transmission. Both benign and malignant neoplasias can be associated. The concomitant existence of different tumors could be helpful in understanding the pathophysiology. There is some debate about the exact origin of the trichoepitheliomas, cylindromas and spiradenomas. Several single-cause theories have been put forward but remain to be confirmed as the genetic anomalies identified for trichoepitheliomas and cylindromas map to different sites. Patients with Brooke-Spiegler syndrome should be explored for malignant neoplasia. A family study is indicated.

[CD30 positive pilotropic lymphoma]. / Lymphome pilotrope CD30 positif.

BACKGROUND: We report an unusual case of cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoma with pilar tropism and circulating Sezary cells which had a rapidly fatal course. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old man presented erythematous infiltration of the face, a pruriginous eruption on the trunk and proximal portions of the limbs with small erythematopurpuric follicular papulae, and node enlargement in the inguinal and axillary areas. The rest of the clinical examination was normal. Circulating Sezary cells were found in significant numbers on two different blood smears. Histologic and immunohistochemistry examination of a skin biopsy evidenced medium to large sized lymphoid cell infiltration in a perifollicular localization. A few small cells penetrated the pilar apparatus. There was no follicular mucinosis. The tumoral cells expressed CD2, CD3, CD4 and 75 p. 100 were positive for CD30. Node aspiration showed lymphomatous cells and CD3+ and CD30+ lymphomatous infiltration was found on marrow smears. A T clone was evidenced both in blood and bone marrow leading to the diagnosis of pilotropic CD30-positive lymphoma. Chlorambucil and prednisone were given. The patient died 5 months later. DISCUSSION: The cytology findings suggest medium to large cell pleomorphic lymphoma. The circulating Sezary cells, the pilotropic eruption, and the rapidly fatal outcome suggest transformation of a Sezary syndrome into CD30-positive large cell lymphoma which has been described in fungoid mycosis.

[Detection of respiratory syncytial virus using immunohistochemistry. Report of 53 cases of sudden infant death]. / Mise en évidence du virus respiratoire syncytial par méthode immuno-histochimique. A propos de 53 cas de mort subite du nourrisson.

We analyzed 53 cases of sudden infant death to detect immunohistochemical expression of respiratory syncytial virus on pulmonary sections. The virus was identified in 7 cases. The immunohistochemical staining was intracytoplasmic and mainly observed in bronchioles. Among these 7 cases, 6 showed severe pulmonary lesions which were assumed to be accountable for decrease. The inflammatory lesions related to respiratory syncytial virus were diffuse, located with the same intensity to either bronchi, bronchioles, alveoles and upper respiratory tract. The immunohistochemical staining was markedly heterogeneous, requiring numerous pulmonary samples.

[Syphilitic labial leucokeratosis]. / Leucokératose labiale syphilitique.

BACKGROUND: Several diagnoses, including syphilis, can be entertained in patients with leukokeratosis of the buccal mucosa. We report a case of labial leucokeratosis which revealed latent syphilis. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old man with a past history of genital syphilis chancre which have been treated 12 years earlier, developed buccal leucokeratosis with no other clinical manifestation. Histology showed dermal infiltration containing plasma cells, polynuclears and lymphocytes. Blood tests were positive for syphilis. Complementary examinations were unable to detect another localization. Leucokeratosis regressed completely after one injection of Extencilline. There has been no recurrence at one year. DISCUSSION: The clinical and histological presentations of syphilis can mimic different skin diseases. Serodiagnosis alone is significant. Isolated buccal lesions are rarely described in syphilis suggesting serodiagnosis should always be ordered. Whatever the clinical stage of the diseases, serological surveillance after treatment for syphilis is essential.

[Acquired regressive cutaneous non-Langerhans-cell histiocytosis in an infant]. / Histiocytose cutanée acquise régressive non langerhansienne de l'enfant.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous histiocytosis of childhood often regresses spontaneously without treatment. In some cases however, it is difficult to differentiate aggressive forms and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry can be a valuable help. We report a case of cutaneous histiocytosis in a child which illustrates the difficulties encountered in the classification of histiocytosis. CASE REPORT: An 18-month old girl was brought to consultation with a cutaneous nodule which had developed at the age of 15 months on the labia majora. A second nodule on the chin had regressed spontaneously. Histology showed evidence of dermal histiocyte proliferation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated is non Langerhans nature which was confirmed by electron microscopy. The clinical course was benign after surgical exeresis of the lesion on the labia majora. DISCUSSION: Different forms of histiocytosis can be classed on the basis of 4 criteria: Langerhans origin or not, acquired or congenital forms, cutaneous or visceral involvement, benign or malignant course. Four diagnosis were possible in our case: histiocytosis X, self-healing congenital histiocytosis, benign cephalic histiocytosis, juvenile xanthogranuloma. We preferred to use the descriptive term of acquired regressive cutaneous non-X histiocytosis of childhood.

Disseminated reticulate hypomelanosis developing during primary biliary cirrhosis.

We report on a 50-year-old woman with disseminated reticulate hypomelanosis developing on the limbs and abdomen during primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Histopathological examination showed vacuolar basal cells, dyskeratosis and large multinucleated epidermal cells. Diagnosis of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and autoimmune disease are discussed. The similarity between cutaneous changes in PBC and a graft-versus-host reaction is outlined.

[Polymorphic sweat gland adenocarcinoma of low grade of malignancy]. / L'adénocarcinome sudoripare polymorphe de bas degré de malignité.

Recently, Suster and Wong added a distinctive entity to the large nomenclature of sweat gland carcinomas. This tumor is equivalent to the polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands. It is characterized by its variegated architecture and its relatively indolent behaviour. The authors report here a new case of this neoplasm. The morphological and immunohistochemical criteria and the differential diagnosis are reported.

Hodgkin's disease following mycosis fungoides: phenotypic and molecular evidence for different tumour cell clones.

AIMS: (1) To assess the clonality of tumour cells in two patients with mycosis fungoides who subsequently developed Hodgkin's disease; and (2) to determine whether there is a clonal relation between these two disorders. METHODS: Cutaneous tissue samples involved by mycosis fungoides and lymph nodes involved by Hodgkin's disease from both patients were investigated by immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mycosis fungoides tumour cells in both patients expressed multiple T cell associated antigens; Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells had the null phenotype. T cell receptor gamma chain genes were clonally rearranged in mycosis fungoides cells but not in RS cells, including variants, in both patients. In the patient with intermediate transformation to large cell lymphoma, immunoglobulin heavy chain genes were rearranged in the cutaneous tumour, but not in the lymph node involved by Hodgkin's disease. CONCLUSION: The divergent antigen expression and gene rearrangements observed in these two patients strongly suggest that Hodgkin's disease and mycosis fungoides are not derived from a single tumour cell clone.

[Eccrine carcinoma with mucinous stroma of the face]. / Carcinoma eccrine à stroma mucineux de la face.

INTRODUCTION: We report a new case of eccrine carcinoma with mucinous stroma characterized by its voluminous exophytic growth. CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old patient was hospitalized for a voluminous vegetating tumor localized over the left temporal region and which had developed over the 10 preceding years. Wide exeresis was performed and histology confirmed the diagnosis of eccrine carcinoma. No locoregional recurrence was noted 18 months later. DISCUSSION: Eccrine carcinoma with mucinous stroma, also termed eccrine mucinous adenocarcinoma, is a rare adnexal skin carcinoma usually localized on the face or scalp. Abundant zones of mucine are characteristic dissociating a dermal cell proliferation with ruban architecture. The volume of the tumor in our case was particularly remarkable although outcome was favorable after surgical treatment.

[Recurrent phototriggered summer light eruption of the axillary and inguinal area: an atypical topographic form of benign summer lucitis]. / Eruption estivale photodeclenchée récidivante des régions axillaires et inguinales: une forme topographique atypique de lucite estivale bénigne.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION This case report of benign summer light eruption emphasizes the importance of phototests in the diagnosis of photosensitive dermatoses. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old man, phototype II, had experienced a pruriginous papulovesicular erythematous eruption of the axillary and inguinal regions each summer for 12 years. A high-dose UV phototest (40 J/cm2 x 3 days) directed on the right posterior axillary area and a whole body exposure test (4 J/cm2 UVA, 20 mJ/cm2 UVB x 3 days) were positive both clinically and histologically on day 4. DEM B was normal at 26 mJ/cm2. Iterative polychromatic phototest (DEM x 3 days) in the area usually involved (left posterior axillary region) was negative. The simple UVA (13 J/cm2) and iterative phototests performed on the back were negative. The results of the phototests led to the diagnosis of benign light eruption despite the unusual localization. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of benign light eruption is generally clinical. Phototests are unnecessary in most cases. Benign light eruption can be triggered by high-dose iterative UVA exposure of the susceptible area or whole body phototests (UVA-UVB). These specific phototests are indicated in atypical forms or localizations in order to determine the course of benign light eruption and to uncover simulations.

Production and characterisation of an antimelanoma monoclonal antibody KBA.62 using a new melanoma cell line reactive on paraffin wax embedded sections.

AIMS--To generate new monoclonal antibodies directed against melanoma associated antigens using a new melanoma cell line, KAL. METHODS--The melanoma cell line was established in culture from a lymph node metastasis of malignant melanoma. Normal Balb/c mice were immunised with KAL cells. Splenocytes were used for fusion experiments using standard techniques. Hybridoma supernatants were tested for antibody binding activity using an indirect immunoperoxidase method on frozen sections from KAL tumour cells xenografted onto nude mice and human tonsils. KBA.62 was selected because of its reactivity with melanocytic proliferations on both frozen and paraffin wax sections. RESULTS--On immunoblotting, KBA.62 reacted with three bands of 140, 135 and 128 kD and two weak bands of 88 and 73 kD. In normal human tissues basal melanocytes in the epidermis did not react with this antibody and only occasional labelling of endothelial cells was noted. Of the human tumours, KBA.62 reacted strongly and uniformly with the majority of benign (21/21) and malignant (75/86) melanocytic proliferations. Staining was localised predominantly to the cell membrane with little or no cytoplasmic reactivity. Negative staining was observed in the majority of human non-melanocytic neoplasms, the exceptions being some carcinomas (11/89), particularly the well differentiated squamous cell type. This, however, was not thought to present a diagnostic problem. CONCLUSIONS--KBA.62 appears to be potentially useful in ascertaining the immunomorphological diagnosis of malignant melanoma in routinely processed paraffin wax sections.

Neutrophilic dermatosis: a case of overlapping syndrome with monoclonal antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody activity.

A 66-year-old male patient presented, over a 10-year period, polymorphic cutaneous manifestations with extensive neutrophilic infiltration which supports the diagnosis of overlapping syndrome of neutrophilic dermatoses. This was associated with a benign monoclonal gammopathy of IgA lambda type that had antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) activity. Neutrophilic dermatoses may be associated with or can trigger ANCA.

[Multicenter histiocytosis]. / Histiocytose multicentrique.

INTRODUCTION: Multicentric histiocytosis is a rare systemic disease with active episodes and prolonged periods of remission. Immunosuppressor treatment (alkylating agents) can be effective. CASE REPORT: A new case of multicentric histiocytosis was observed in a 38-year-old man who was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide at the dose of 100 mg/d. Treatment was withdrawn after several weeks due to drug-induced hepatitis and replaced with chlorambucil at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day for 6 months. No relapse has occurred after a follow-up of 14 months. DISCUSSION: This case is particularly interesting because of the exceptional nature of spontaneous haemarthrosis which was the inaugural sign of joint manifestations with mediastinal lymph nodes and initially isolated pruritus occurring before the typical skin manifestations. Different management protocols have been discussed with emphasis on the presence of acute cyclophosphamide induced hepatitis. This immunosuppressor is not usually hepatotoxic. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the systemic nature of the disease and emphasizes the beneficial effect of alkylating agents.

[Lymphomatoid papulosis and anaplastic giant-cell lymphoma]. / Papulose lymphomatoïde et lymphome anaplasique à grandes cellules.

INTRODUCTION: The association between lymphomatoid papulosis and malignant Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma is well known but still raises the problem of nosology between these two pathologies. Is lymphomatoid papulosis a pseudolymphoma, a prelymphomatous state or a true skin lymphoma? CASE REPORT: We observed a patient who had lymphomatoid papulosis and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma within an interval of 8 years between. This case was particularly interesting because identical immunophenotypes were observed in the atypical large-cells of the skin and the lymphomatous cells of the lymph nodes (positive for CD43, CD45, CD25, CD30, CD15, EMA). DISCUSSION: This case points out that atypical large-cells of lymphomatoid papulosis express the CD15 antigen which is only expressed by atypical large-cells in half of the cases of lymphomatoid papulosis. In addition, EMA is classically expressed in primary lymph node lymphomas rather than in primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphomas which could predict extracutaneous dissemination of lymphomatoid papulosis. Furthermore, the demonstration that the skin lesions and the lymph nodes responded differently to the same treatment would suggest that there are other unrecognized biological differences. Lymphomatoid papulosis appears to be a range of disorders of the lymphoproliferation of activated T-cells and could include varioliform parapsoriasis and cutaneous lymphoma.