ABSTRACT
Monooctanoin, a hydrophobic solvent, is used clinically to dissolve gallstones via intrabiliary infusion. We report a therapeutic misadventure in which an intravenous injection of the drug resulted in respiratory and cardiac arrest and death. Autopsy findings included pulmonary lipid embolization, detection of monooctanoin in the lung parenchyma, and histopathological evidence of multifocal pulmonary hemorrhagic infarcts. Respiratory compromise has been observed in the standard treatment of patients. In addition, deaths in laboratory animals have been attributed to hemorrhagic pneumonitis. This case illustrates the potential adverse effects of the inappropriate administration of monooctanoin.
Subject(s)
Glycerides/poisoning , Medication Errors , Solvents/poisoning , Caprylates , Embolism, Fat/chemically induced , Glycerides/administration & dosage , Glycerides/analysis , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Lung/analysis , Lung/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Embolism/chemically induced , Solvents/administration & dosage , Solvents/analysisABSTRACT
We determined that sera obtained from hamsters infected with Borrelia burgdorferi could prevent the induction of Lyme arthritis. When irradiated hamsters were administered immune serum and subsequently challenged with B. burgdorferi, no evidence of infection was detected. Recipients failed to develop swelling of the hind paws, and no histopathologic changes were detected. In addition, B. burgdorferi was not recovered from tissues of hamsters that were passively immunized. By contrast, irradiated hamsters that were administered normal hamster serum or saline and infected with the Lyme spirochete developed arthritis. Extensive histopathologic changes occurred in the hind paws and knee joints, and spirochetes were recovered from most of the tissues examined. These results show that immune serum can confer complete protection on recipient hamsters to challenge with B. burgdorferi.
Subject(s)
Arthritis/prevention & control , Lyme Disease/prevention & control , Animals , Antibodies, Bacterial/administration & dosage , Arthritis/pathology , Borrelia burgdorferi Group/immunology , Cricetinae , Immunization, Passive , Inbreeding , Lyme Disease/pathologyABSTRACT
Lyme disease is a multisystem disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans primarily through Ixodid ticks. The clinical spectrum of the disease is continuing to expand while in its wake the pathology and histopathologic manifestations are being uncovered. We review the pathology of Lyme disease in man beginning with the tick bite. We present the pathologic changes of the rash, erythema migrans, as well as the neurologic, cardiac, and arthritic changes of the disease. We can expand our understanding of the immunobiology of Lyme disease by studying the interactions of B. burgdorferi in an experimental animal model.
Subject(s)
Lyme Disease/pathology , Humans , Lyme Disease/diagnosis , Lyme Disease/immunology , Neurologic Manifestations/pathology , Skin Manifestations/pathologyABSTRACT
Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (SRCA) is an extremely rare tumor of the prostate. We document with histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy an incidental "signet ring" cell adenocarcinoma of the prostate in a fifty-seven-year-old white male with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who died of an intracerebral hemorrhage. The signet ring cells stained weakly for neutral mucin and were strongly positive for both prostate-specific antigen and prostate acid phosphatase. In addition, electron microscopy demonstrated intracellular lumina with microvilli and cytoplasmic vacuoles of mucin. This case conclusively supports the existence of SRCA of the prostate.
