Incidence of prostate cancer in Eritrea: Data from the National Health Laboratory, Orotta Referral Hospital and Sembel Hospital 2011-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Up-to-date statistics on prostate cancer incidence and causative risk factors are essential for the primary prevention of this disease. However, the incidence of Prostate cancer (ICD-10 code C61) (PCa), or cancers in general, are poorly documented in Eritrea. This study analyses the data available to produce an estimate of the incidence of PCa in Eritrea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study by identifying all incident cases of PCa captured between 2011-2018 in the National Health Laboratory pathology database (Polytech 8.37.C); Urology departments of Orotta Referral Hospital and Sembel Hospital. Crude incidence rates (CIRs), age-adjusted rates per 100,000 person years and associated trends were subsequently calculated. Joinpoint Regression Program, V.4.5.0.1 was employed in these analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1721 cases were reported, of which 1593 (92.5%) were benign prostatic hypertrophy cases and 128 (7.5%) were PCa cases. The mean (±SD) age of the patients with PCa was 73.49 (± 8.9), confidence interval (CI) (54-98) and the minimum and maximum ages were 54 and 98, respectively. The median age interquartile ranges (IQR) was 73 (13) years. The highest and lowest PCa incidence rates were in 2017 (4.51 per 100 000) and 2014 (2.69 per 100 000), respectively. The age standardised rates (ASIR) (World) over the study period (2011-2018) was 30.26 per 100 000. The annualized ASIR values over the study period was 3.78 per 100 000. The associated average annual percentage change (APC) (CI) over the study period was 5.4 (-1.4-12.7), P-value = 0.100, showing a static trend over the study period. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that previous reports have under-estimated the incidence of PCa in Eritrea. The study provides ample evidence on the need for research targeted at uncovering the true burden of PCa in Eritrea. Potential solutions will require the establishment of high-quality population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) and long-term commitment to improvements in research, training, screening, diagnosis, and the overall management of PCa in the country.

Incidence of Breast Cancer in Eritrea: A Retrospective Study from 2011 to 2017.

In Africa, breast cancer closely compares with cervical cancer as the most common malignancy affecting women and the incidence rates appear to be rising. Eritrea is experiencing a growing breast cancer problem, but little is presently known on tumor patterns, breast cancer epidemiology, and risk factors. The main objective of this study is to provide baseline data on breast cancer incidence in both sexes in Eritrea. This study was carried out retrospectively and quantitatively by collecting, abstracting, analyzing, coding, and interpreting data recorded in National Health Laboratory (NHL) using CanReg5 ver. 5.00.35. Extracting and classification of the tumor data was done using topography, morphology together with the ICD-10. To generate the incidence rate for the seven years the Eritrean population dataset was used from the population pyramid net for 2014. After we entered all the data from Pathology department in NHL, data was analyzed using the predetermined and developed built-in analysis tools of CanReg5 software and Microsoft Excel 2010. A total number of 9,403 pathology cases were recorded from 2011 to 2017. Out of these 1,497 cases were confirmed as cytology and histology of breast cases. From 1,497 confirmed breast cases in both sexes, the incidence of benign cases was higher than incidence of malignant cases with the case number of 1, 149, and 348, respectively. Out of the 1,497 cases, 1,447 (96.66%) were females; this included a total incidence cases of female benign and malignant breast cases 1,111 (76.78%), and 336 (23.22%), respectively. In both female and male age group the highest positive cases were found in the age greater than 85. The incidence age standard rate per 100,000 in females and male was 3.3 and 0.2, respectively. In sum, the age standardized incidence of breast cancer was relatively low. However, it is our opinion that the low prevalence may be due to low awareness and a highly centralized screening and diagnostic services. This limits access. Altogether, it is our opinion that breast cancer presents a burden to Eritrean ministry of health.

Molecular Identification of Zoonotic Tissue-Invasive Tapeworm Larvae Other than Taenia solium in Suspected Human Cysticercosis Cases.

Rarely, zoonotic Taenia species other than Taenia solium cause human cysticercosis. The larval stages are morphologically often indistinguishable. We therefore investigated 12 samples of suspected human cysticercosis cases at the molecular level and surprisingly identified one Taenia crassiceps and one Taenia serialis (coenurosis) infection, which were caused by tapeworm larvae normally infecting rodents and sheep via eggs released from foxes and dogs.

Spectrum of KIT/PDGFRA/BRAF mutations and Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase pathway gene alterations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Pathogenetic pathways of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) lacking mutations in KIT and PDGFRA (∼15%) are still poorly studied. Nearly nothing is known about PI3K alterations in GISTs and only a few GISTs with BRAF mutations have been reported. BRAF mutations (V600E) were found in 3/87 tumors (3.5%) concomitantly were wild type for KIT and PDGFRA. No mutations were detected in KRAS, NRAS, and FGFR3. For the first-time we demonstrated a PIK3CA mutation (H1047L) simultaneously occurring with a 15-bp deletion in KIT exon 11 in one tumor. We suggest that BRAF mutations are of pathogenetic significance in wild type GISTs. The PI3K pathway should be assessed in future studies.

Sudden elevation of liver enzymes in a 64-year-old patient: a case report.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori usually consists of a 7-day course of triple therapy including metronidazole or amoxicillin plus clarithromycin plus a proton pump inhibitor. We report about a rare adverse event of Hp eradication in a patient with moderate chronic and moderate active pangastritis. Shortly after the end of treatment cholestatic hepatitis occurred which was most likely related to clarithromycin, perhaps enhanced by amoxicillin. Since liver dysfunction was self-limited, no further treatment was required. In summary, clinicians should be aware about the presented rare adverse event of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment for a close monitoring of those patients and rapid management of acute liver failure.

Prevalence and origin of amyloid in kidney biopsies.

We aimed to reassess renal amyloidosis in kidney biopsies with a focus on possibly misclassified or unclassified cases and changes in the prevalence of different amyloid types. Two hundred thirty-three kidney biopsies obtained from 231 patients diagnosed with amyloid during the period from 1990 to 2007 years were included in this retrospective study. Amyloid was identified by Congo red staining and polarization microscopy. Immunohistochemical classification was made with antibodies directed against AA amyloid, apolipoprotein A1, fibrinogen, lysozyme, lambda-light chain, kappa-light chain, beta2-microglobulin, transthyretin, and amyloid P-component. Amyloid was present in each biopsy as vascular, tubulo-interstitial and/or glomerular deposits. Immunoglobulin light chain-derived (AL) amyloidosis was most prevalent and diagnosed in 123 (53.2%) patients. It was categorized into AL amyloid of lambda-light chain (ALlambda) [105 (85.4%) patients] and kappa-light chain origin (ALkappa) [10 (8.1%)]. The amyloid deposits of 8 (6.5%) patients were not clearly distinguishable into ALlambda amyloid or ALkappa amyloid and categorized as AL amyloid, not otherwise specified. Reactive systemic amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was the second most common type and was found in 93 patients (40.3%). Overall 7 patients were found to suffer from fibrinogen A alpha-chain-[amyloid of fibrinogen (AFib); 4 (1.7%) patients], transthyretin-[amyloid of transthyretin (ATTR); 2 (0.9%)], or apolipoprotein A1-derived (AApoAI) amyloidosis [1 (0.4%)]. In 8 patients (3.4%) the amyloid deposits remained unclassifiable. After additional immunostaining and further clinical information the diagnoses of 12 patients (5.1%) were modified (2 ALlambda amyloid, 4 ALkappa amyloid, 1 amyloid unclassified, 3 mixed-type amyloidosis, AA+ATTR, ALlambda+ATTR, and ALkappa+ATTR, 1 AFib, and 1 AApoAI). Although the histologic and immunohistochemical reevaluation confirmed the classifications in 221 (95.7%) patients. Renal amyloidosis is most commonly of ALlambda-origin, followed by AA amyloidosis. AFib amyloidosis was found to be the most prevalent type of hereditary renal amyloidosis, illustrating the necessity of a thorough classification of the amyloid proteins.

Omega-3 fatty acids alleviate chemically induced acute hepatitis by suppression of cytokines.

UNLABELLED: Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are key factors in liver inflammation. Supplementation with essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) has been demonstrated to lower TNF-alpha and IL-1 production in mononuclear cells. An inflammation-dampening effect has been observed with increased omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in several inflammatory diseases. In this study, we used the transgenic fat-1 mouse, expressing a Caenorhabditis elegans desaturase endogenously forming n-3 PUFA from n-6 PUFA, to analyze the effect of an increased n-3 PUFA tissue status in the macrophage-dependent acute D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccaride (D-GalN/LPS) hepatitis model. We show less severe inflammatory liver injury in fat-1 mice with a balanced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase levels and less severe histological liver damage. This decreased inflammatory response was associated with decreased plasma TNF-alpha levels and with reduced hepatic gene expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma and IL-6 in fat-1 mice, leading to a decreased rate of apoptosis in livers from fat-1 animals, as measured by DAPI-staining. CONCLUSION: The results of this study offer evidence for an inflammation dampening effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the context of liver inflammation.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA and epithelial markers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) belongs to the most common malignant tumours in certain parts of the world, e.g. South-East Asia. The undifferentiated type of NPC is associated with genomic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. In normal epithelia of the nasopharynx cytokeratins (CK) 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15 and 19 are expressed. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression pattern of cytokeratins in NPC in the presence of EBV infection. Twenty primary or metastatic tumours from 13 patients suffering from a NPC were evaluated (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded). (35)S-labelled probes were used to detect EBV DNA in the tissue sections. Fourteen specimens (70%) were EBV positive. All positive specimens were undifferentiated NPC. All NPC were identified with broad-spectrum anti-CK antibody. Using a panel of anti-CK antibodies, there was no specific CK-expression pattern in NPC. In summary, undifferentiated NPC are strongly associated with EBV. The cytoskeleton of undifferentiated NPC reveals no specific pattern of CK expression.

Preoperative evaluation of malignant liver tumors: comparison of unenhanced and SPIO (Resovist)-enhanced MR imaging with biphasic CTAP and intraoperative US.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of iron-oxide-enhanced MRI vs CT during arterial portography (CTAP) and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in detection of liver neoplasms. Seventeen patients with malignant focal liver lesions (liver metastases, n=7), hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC, n=9), and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC, n=1) underwent presurgical Resovist-enhanced MRI and CTAP. Two independent observers (A and B) assessed the blinded images of unenhanced and iron-oxide-enhanced MRI vs CTAP for the presence, number, and location of the liver lesions. These results were compared lesion by lesion and segment by segment with the results of intraoperative ultrasound ( n=17) serving as the reference standard. Eighty lesions were detected by intraoperative ultrasound in 17 patients. In comparison with IOUS (lesion-by-lesion analysis) the sensitivity was 86.8% for CTAP, 65% for combined unenhanced MR imaging, and 86.8% for combined Resovist-enhanced MRI as well as 86.8% for the combination of unenhanced and Resovist-enhanced MRI. Compared with the sensitivity of combined unenhanced MRI the sensitivity of CTAP as well as the sensitivity of combined Resovist-enhanced MRI was significantly higher (p<0.05). False-positive results were much higher in CTAP as compared with combined unenhanced and SPIO-enhanced MRI. Using the segment-by-segment analysis the specificity of combined unenhanced MRI with 100% (96.7-100%) as well as combined Resovist-enhanced MRI with 100% (96.7-100%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in comparison with the specificity of CTAP with 91.1% (83.2-96.1%). The accuracy of combined unenhanced MRI was 100% (93.2-100%), combined Resovist-enhanced MRI 100% (93.6-100%) and of CTAP 85.2% (72.9-93.4%). In the detection of focal liver lesions iron-oxide-enhanced MR imaging is superior to unenhanced MRI and similar to CTAP.

Distinct enzyme profiles in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis reflect heterogeneous causes with different outcomes after liver transplantation (OLT): a long-term documentation before and after OLT.

BACKGROUND: Sound information is lacking about the clinical presentation of cryptogenic cirrhosis and its outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: Among 856 patients who have been transplanted at our center, 40 patients had no evidence of any known etiologies and were therefore defined as suffering from cryptogenic cirrhosis. Their median follow-up period before OLT was 78 months (range, 1-264), and after OLT 97 months (range, 1-132). Laboratory and histological data were evaluated according to features being compatible either with a toxic, hepatitic, or cholestatic condition. RESULTS: The clinical and histological findings differed specifically between these three groups. The toxic-like group (GGT 4-18 x upper limit of normal [ULN]) expressed significantly higher IgA levels, had histologically more often fatty liver changes, and risk factors for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis predominated (56% compared with 3% in the other groups, P=0.01). The hepatitic-like group (ALT 2-18 x ULN) showed histologically features of chronic hepatitis or hepatitic cirrhosis, and only among these patients a median International Autoimmune Hepatitis (IAH) score of 13 was found suggesting autoimmune hepatitis (AiH). In the cholestatic group (AP 2-8 x ULN) histology was compatible with a non-toxic inflammatory process but IAH score excluded AiH in all. After OLT, actuarial graft and patients survival was 90% at 5 years. Mild or moderate graft hepatitis occurred in 9 patients (23%) and was significantly associated with a pre-OLT IAH score >or= 10 (P =0.008). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides arguments that cryptogenic cirrhosis is a heterogeneous disease in which autoimmune mechanisms might be predominately involved and being responsible for recurrence of chronic liver disease observed in some instances after OLT.