Mannan-binding lectin in children with chronic gastritis.

The involvement of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) insufficiency in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis (CG) in children was investigated. Blood samples were collected from 78 paediatric patients suffering from CG associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (group Hp(+)) and from 41 with the disease not associated with such an infection (group Hp(-)). Control group consisted of 77 children. The frequency of mbl-2 gene mutations and serum protein concentrations did not differ significantly in both groups as compared with controls. An expression of mbl-2 gene in gastric biopsies of CG patients was demonstrated. It was found to be stronger in H. pylori-infected children. The results presented in this paper suggest that MBL deficit/dysfunction probably does not contribute to an increased risk of CG (both associated and not associated with H. pylori infection) in children. However, MBL opsonic effect and/or the lectin pathway of complement activation may be taken into account as possible host defence mechanisms in gastric patients.

[Congenital pneumonia in fetuses and newborns ad inflammatory lesions in the placenta]. / Wrodzone zapalenia pluc plodów i noworodków a zapalenia poplodów.

The authors compared the degree of congenital pneumonia in stillborn and neonates died in first two days of life with inflammation lesions of placenta. The coexistence of those two processes and its significant correlation was found, especially among preterm LBW neonates. This finding supports the hypothesis about infection as a probable cause not only of preterm deliveries but infection of fetuses and neonates as well. Analysis of some cases revealed also that general infection of mother could cause transplacental infection of foetuses.

[The diagnostic value of endometrial sampling with Endorette]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna materialu z endometrium pobranego za pomoca Endorette.

The usefulness of Medscand Endorette endometrial sampling was evaluated. The analysis was based on 142 cases with medical indications for endometrial biopsy. 122 women were successfully sampled. Only in 9 cases (6.3%) the collected endometrium was insufficient. Medscand Endorette seems to be a useful tool for the collection of endometrial samples, mainly in outpatients.

[Histological evaluation of activity and progression changes in the liver in HCV infected children]. / Ocena nasilenia i zaawansowania zmian w watrobie u dzieci zakazonych HCV.

In this study we present the analysis of pathological pictures of the liver in children with chronic HCV infection, among whom 60 children with HCV RNA and 22 children without HCV RNA were selected. For histological evaluation traditional classification and modified Histological Activity Index (HAI) was used. Only 2 children without viremia did not present changes in histopathological picture, in the remaining ones with and without viremia hepatitis chronic persistent prevailed. In both groups of children statistical differences in necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis were not observed. In histopathological picture correlation grading and staging was observed. The results of the studies show necessity for histological evaluation in anti-HCV carriers, because the pathology of the liver may occur independent of viremia.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung. Analysis of 10 cases and a review of literature.

A series of 10 cases of congenital cystic disease of the lung in the form of various types of cystic adenomatoid malformations has been analyzed retrospectively. The cases were obtained from our own biopsy and autopsy files, and autopsy material consulted in our institution between 1989 and 1998.

[Polycystic kidney disease in newborns: analysis of coincidence of congenital abnormalities and other syndromes]. / Torbielowatosc nerek u noworodków. Analiza wspólistnienia wad wrodzonych innych narzadów.

The retrospective analysis of 45 cases of polycystic and multicystic kidney disease in newborns and fetuses was done, focused on the association with congenital anomalies in the another organs, regarding the classification of multicystic dysplasia, subcapsular (obstructive) dysplasia, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. The analysis was based on the results of 1961 autopsies of newborns and stillborns.

Helicobacter pylori infection in the etiopathogenesis of duodenal ulcer in children.

The study evaluates the frequency of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, as well as systemic cellular immune response to H. pylori in children with duodenal ulcer (DU). The study group comprised 47 children with DU, aged 6-17 (mean 13, 1 +/- 4, 2). H. pylori detection was based on urease test, histology, culture and serologic tests. Endoscopic and morphologic findings were analysed according to Sydney System criteria. In 12 children from the overmentioned group subsets of blood lymphocytes B and T (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD3/DR, CD19) and NK cells, some neutrophils functions (phagocytosis, chemiluminescence) and phagocytes receptors before and one month after H. pylori triple treatment were investigated. H. pylori infection was detected in 44 of the investigated children. In addition, pathologic examination revealed chronic gastritis in 44 children and chronic duodenitis in 42 of them. In immunosystemic examination decreased percentage of CD8 lymphocytes and NK cells, increased CD4/CD8 ratio, decreased mitogen-induced response and changes of function and receptor expression of neutrophils were found. After H. pylori treatment in follow-up endoscopy no ulcers were found and histologic examination did not reveal chronic active gastroduodenitis, while the rate of nonactive gastritis was increased. Eradication of H. pylori infection in 41 children and normalisation of immune parameters in 11 children were obtained. The results of our investigation indicate, that H. pylori infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DU in children.

Endoscopic and pathomorphologic findings in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) in patients with food allergy.

98 subjects (78 children and 20 adults) with diagnosed food allergy underwent endoscopic and pathomorphologic evaluation of the GI mucosa (stomach, duodenum and colon). Endoscopic features of acute and chronic inflammation were found in all the analyzed segments. Typical inflammatory changes were not observed in the pathomorphologic examinations, although in half of the examined patients, inflammatory infiltrations consisting mainly of oesinophilic granulocytes were observed.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a disease of rare incidence and unknown etiology. The descriptions of these rare cases refer to adults; there are few reports of children stricken with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Our study presents a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a 9-year-old girl suffering from recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, oedema of the lower extremities and ascites. The diagnosis was based on clinical features and confirmed by histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen obtained from an upper gastroendoscopy. Food and parasitic allergens as aetiopathogenetic agents were taken into consideration.

Influence of bismuth on the metabolism of endogenous metals in rats.

In this study the effect of single and multiple doses of bismuth on the metabolism and excretion of endogenous metals (Cu, Zn) was investigated. Wistar rats were administered bismuth chloride subcutaneously (1 x 3 mg Bi/kg or 7 x 3 mg Bi/kg). Rats were sacrificed at different time periods after bismuth injections. The levels of Cu and Zn were determined in the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the concentrations of metallothionein (MT) in the liver and kidneys. Cu, Zn and total protein levels in the urine of control and exposed animals were estimated. Additionally, a histopathological examination of the kidneys and brain was carried out. The increase in the renal and hepatic Cu and Zn content was paralleled by an augmentation in the level of MT in these organs following both kinds of exposure to bismuth. Some changes in the ultrastructure of the kidneys were correlated with the dose of bismuth. Zinc content in the brains of exposed rats was lower than in control animals brains, but there was no difference in copper level and no histological changes. The excretion of copper and zinc was higher in the exposed groups than in control groups. The presented results indicate that the disturbances in the metabolism of Zn or Cu in the liver, kidneys and brain and the increase in urinary output of metals may be a much more sensitive index than morphological damage and impaired renal function to the bismuth exposure.

Fetal endocarditis in left atrial isomerism - a case report.

We report a case of fetal endocarditis coexisting with a congenital heart defect: a common atrium (left atrial isomerism) with complete congenital heart block. The case was studied by echocardiography from 32 to 39 weeks of gestation. A postmortem examination was carried out a few hours after Cesarean section. The autopsy, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings revealed endocarditis. We think that abnormal turbulent systolic and diastolic flow of the semilunar valve, seen in fetal Doppler echocardiography, may be a sign of fetal endocarditis even though clear evidence of vegetations were not seen.

Changes in concentration of essential metals in kidneys and urine as indices of gentamicin nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats.

Wistar rats were treated with gentamicin in single (80 mg/kg) or repeated doses (7 x 40 mg/kg) subcutaneously. Total protein as well as excretion of essential metals (Cu, Zn) with the urine were determined 24 hr after 1, 3 and 7 dosages as well as 3 and 7 days after the termination of administration. At the same time kidneys were examined histopathologically by light microscopy. Simultaneously, Cu, Zn and metallothionein levels in kidneys and liver were determined. Rats receiving gentamicin demonstrated progressive renal proximal tubular necrosis at the end of 7 days administration. At the same time elevated copper and zinc levels were observed in urine. These essential metals seem to be an indicator of gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

[Evolution of morphological and clinical changes in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis]. / Ewolucja zmian morfologicznych i klinicznych w klebkowych rozplemowych mezangialnych zapaleniach nerek.

The clinical and morphological analysis is reported of the changes evolving in 12 cases of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis based on repeated biopsies carried out at intervals from 1 to 7 years. Clinical findings at the time of the first biopsy included in 2 cases nephrotic syndrome, and in the remaining cases proteinuria ranging from 0.3 to 2/1000. In all cases erythrocytes in urine were present ranging from 4-6 to 50-100 erythrocytes per field of vision. Hypertension was found in 4 cases, and increased serum creatinine level in 1 patient. At the time of repeated biopsy in 11 cases clinical evidence of improvement was noted with decreased proteinuria anderythrocytes in urine. In 1 case worsening was found and several months later signs of renal failure developed which led to death. The morphological examinations demonstrated in the first biopsies mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. In second biopsies these findings were confirmed. In 1 case with unfavourable outcome the changes became more pronounced, and in the remaining ones no significant differences were noted in relation to the first biopsy which evidenced lack of a close correlation between the clinical condition and the morphological state of the kidneys.

[3 cases of Alport's syndrome with different clinical and morphologic manifestations]. / Trzy przypadki zespolu Alporta o róznej manifestacji klinicznej i morfologicznej.

Of 350 renal biopsies referred to the Pathologic Anatomy Department Academy of Medicine in Lódz between 1982 and 1986 the authors recognized three cases of Alport's syndrome. The diagnosis was made on the basis of light microscopy (HE, PTAH, silver staining according to Jones, PAS with alcian blue) and immunofluorescence reactions with the sera against IgA, IgG, IgM and fraction C3 of the complement. In two cases electron microscopy was performed additionally. In two patients clinical data pointed to the diagnosis of Alport's syndrome (hematuria, partial deafness, mental retardation, progressive nephropathy). In the third patient Alport's syndrome was not suspected clinically and the diagnosis was established only on the basis of electron microscopic studies. Light microscopy detected cellular proliferation and increase of the mesangium matrix as well as foci of foamy cells in the renal stroma in one case. Immunofluorescence studies were not significant for the diagnosis whereas electron microscopy examinations were decisive. We found characteristic diffused or focal widening of basal membranes of the glomerular vascular loops with the dense lamina splitting, as well as focal thinning of the basal membranes. The intensity and extent of submicroscopic changes varied in the cases described.