Morphometrical analysis of immunohistochemical reaction of inflammatory infiltrate in chronic thyroiditis.

The aim of the study was to quantitatively evaluate B and T lymphocytes and macrophages, based on immunohistochemical investigations (CD43, CD20, CD8 and CD68) of chronic focal and Hashimoto thyroiditis. A new method of image analysis was applied, based on spatial visualization of the antigens reactivity. The obtained results indicated that the numbers of lymphocytes, in particular of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and of macrophages increased with the progress of inflammatory process. Quantitative measurements of the markers made the results more objective and supported pathomorphological diagnosis.

Quantitative evaluation of immuno- and histochemical reaction intensity by spatial visualization techniques.

The aim of this study was an application of spatial visualization techniques for quantitative measurements of immuno- and histochemical reactions. For a quantitative histochemical study, specimens, collected from patients with chronic gastritis, were stained with paS/AB, while for immunohistochemical evaluation, specimens were used, collected from patients with chronic parathyroiditis and were analyzed with Ki-67 proliferation marker and apoptosis bcl-2 protein. The new technique permitted to obtain quantitative objective results. Statistical cluster analysis of those results indicated small groups of cases for reevaluation and supported the final diagnosis.

Detection of DNA, mRNA and early antigen of the human cytomegalovirus using the immunomax technique in autopsy material of children with intrauterine infection.

The present study focuses on the immunomax technique in association with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique and a non-isotopic variation of in situ hybridisation (ISH) for optimal microscopical detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The studies were performed on an archival paraffin material originating from five children deceased due to intrauterine infection. The results of immunocytochemical and hybridocytochemical studies, with or without amplification using biotinylated tyramine, were compared with the routine histopathological results and results obtained using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Early antigen (EA)-HCMV was demonstrated in approximately twice as many cells as detected in the routine staining and also in cells that seemed morphologically intact. The hybridocytochemical studies confirmed the presence of HCMV DNA in cells that were positive in the immunocytochemical tests and, in addition (using the ISH-immunomax technique), in cell nuclei of intact myocardial myocytes. In general, fewer cells manifested the presence of HMCV mRNA than the presence of HCMV DNA. The immunomax technique was found to be more sensitive than the techniques of classical immunocytochemistry or of ISH. The former technique permitted the documentation of a higher number of HCMV replication sites than could be detected using the latter techniques. However, the clinical course of HCMV infection or the cause of death of the children was not directly related to the intensity of HCMV expression in tissues.