Puesta al día en la miastenia gravis / An update on myasthenia gravis

La miastenia gravis es el trastorno más común dentro de las enfermedades que afectan a la transmisión neuromuscular. Actualmente es uno de los trastornos autoinmunes mejor definidos y entendidos. Esta se caracteriza por debilidad y fatiga de forma fluctuante y en combinación variable de los músculos oculares, funciones bulbares, de las extremidades y de los músculos respiratorios. Estos síntomas son el resultado de un ataque inmunológico contra la membrana postsináptica de la unión neuromuscular. El diagnóstico de la miastenia gravis depende tanto de pruebas clínicas como serológicas. Es una enfermedad que puede ser controlada de forma efectiva con las distintas líneas terapéuticas actuales, incluso logrando la remisión de esta. A continuación, presentamos una actualización de esta interesante enfermedad

Myasthenia gravis is one of the most common disorders that affect neuromuscular transmission. It is currently one of the most understood and characterised autoimmune disorders Its typical symptoms are fluctuating weakness and fatigue that affects a combination of ocular muscles, bulbar functions, as well as limb and respiratory muscles, which are due to an immune attack against the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is based on clinical and serological test. It is a disease that can be effectively controlled with the current therapeutic lines, even achieving a complete remission. An update of this interesting disorder is now presented

Flagellated protozoa detected in Dermatophagoides by light microscopy

House dust mites (HDM) are arthropods of medical importance due to their relationship with allergic diseases. House dust provides a detrital habitat for these organisms, in which human skin scales are a primary food source. For digestion, wall gut cells elaborate potent proteases. Nevertheless, the observation of flagellated protozoa in intestinal extracts of HDM by light microscopy might contribute to digestive processes in mites, opening a new avenue of research regarding the ecological interactions between mites and these microorganisms in the utilisation of such substrates, as well as with regard to allergic diseases

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[An update on myasthenia gravis]. / Puesta al día en la miastenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis is one of the most common disorders that affect neuromuscular transmission. It is currently one of the most understood and characterised autoimmune disorders Its typical symptoms are fluctuating weakness and fatigue that affects a combination of ocular muscles, bulbar functions, as well as limb and respiratory muscles, which are due to an immune attack against the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is based on clinical and serological test. It is a disease that can be effectively controlled with the current therapeutic lines, even achieving a complete remission. An update of this interesting disorder is now presented.

Flagellated protozoa detected in Dermatophagoides by light microscopy.

House dust mites (HDM) are arthropods of medical importance due to their relationship with allergic diseases. House dust provides a detrital habitat for these organisms, in which human skin scales are a primary food source. For digestion, wall gut cells elaborate potent proteases. Nevertheless, the observation of flagellated protozoa in intestinal extracts of HDM by light microscopy might contribute to digestive processes in mites, opening a new avenue of research regarding the ecological interactions between mites and these microorganisms in the utilisation of such substrates, as well as with regard to allergic diseases.

Protozoa in respiratory pathology: a review.

Among the micro-organisms that may affect the respiratory apparatus are the protozoa. The diseases they may give rise to constitute a relatively uncommon group of respiratory ailments with, in the majority of cases, an underlying clinical situation corresponding to states of suppressed immunity (AIDS, transplants, malign haemopathies, corticotherapy, etc.). Other factors, such as visits to endemic areas and immigration, also have to be taken into account. In view of the probable increase in the number of cases and the appearance of new emerging diseases, it is the intention of the present work to review the publications available, in different fields of medicine, that refer to the principal kinds of protozoa (Entamoeba, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Trichomonas, Lophomonas, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Babesia, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytozoon and Balantidium) and, at the same time, detail and comment on the latest findings on this subject.

Diatoms and rotifers in cytological smears.

We describe several uncommon contaminants presumably derived from the tap water used in the staining procedure of cytological specimens. We would like to draw attention to the occasional presence of diatoms and fragments of rotifers in cytological specimens. Whilst most of these entities are harmless curiosities, they may cause concern as to their nature and significance.

Algae in cytologic smears.

OBJECTIVE: To desmonstrate the presence of algae in smears and establish their significance. STUDY DESIGN: Microscopic examination of smears stained by the Papanicolaou technique. RESULTS: We found 12 different species of algae, clustered in three categories: Cyanophita (blue algae), Chrysophyta (yellow algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae). CONCLUSION: Algae in smears are infrequently observed, with few bibliographic references. Their presence is due to intrinsic or extrinsic contamination. They may be confused with other structures, such as fungi, Charcott crystals or adenocarcinoma cells.

Grado nuclear en punciones de carcinoma de mama: características ópticas y análisis de imagen / Nuclear grade in breast carcinoma aspirates: optical features and image analysis

Planteamiento: Establecer la fiabilidad de unos parámetros subjetivos (tamaño y pleomorfismo nuclear, nucléolo y grado de dispersión celular) utilizados para establecer el grado nuclear de malignidad en punciones de mama, mediante su comparación con un examen morfométrico a través de un proceso digital de imagen. Material y métodos: El trabajo se realizó con 60 punciones con aguja fina (PAAF) correspondientes a carcinoma ductal infiltrante de mama. En primer lugar se estableció en cada una de las PAAF el grado nuclear mediante observación al microscopio. A continuación se realizó el estudio morfométrico, seleccionando una serie de parámetros (área, perímetro, diámetro máximo, forma circular y forma rugosa). Resultados: En el examen microscópico, 21 casos (35 por ciento) correspondieron a un grado nuclear I, 31 casos (51,7 por ciento) a un grado nuclear II y ocho casos (13,3 por ciento) a un grado nuclear III. Se estableción un estudio comparativo microscópico/morfométrico, así como una correlación entre los grados nucleares y los resultados morfométricos de los diferentes marámetros estudiados. con respecto al tamaño y el área media, existió una correlación estadísticamente significativa (P<0,05) con los grados subjetivos. En cuanto al pleomorfismo y la desviación estándar media, también la correlación fue significativa (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Los parámetros citológicos que mejor representan al grado nuclear son el tamaño de los núcleos y el pleomorfismo de los mismos, siendo además los que mejor se correlacionan con los resultados morfométricos (AU)