Toxoplasmosis lymphadenopathy-A series of 8 cases diagnosed in a 2-year timeframe: Is it a needle in a haystack?

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite. Clinical presentation of infection depends on the age and immune status of the patient. In immunocompetent patient, it may present as a non-specific lymphadenopathy and self- limiting illness. In contrast, in immunocompromised patients it can be a life-threatening infection. We present a series of 8 cases of toxoplasma lymphadenitis diagnosed in our institute in last two years. Lymphadenopathy raises a suspicion of malignancy; however, diagnosis of reactive lymphadenitis often marks the end of diagnostic evaluation. Careful morphological evaluation, the classic triad, often can direct at a conclusive diagnosis. We are presenting a case series to draw attention to this entity as majority of the published literature is in the form of case report and serological surveys and very occasional study showing both the histopathology and serology in tandem.

Multiplex Approach in Classification, Diagnosis, and Prognostication in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Experience from Tertiary Cancer Center in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of disorders classified as per FAB subtypes and more recently by WHO by underlying genetic abnormalities. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities in around 200 patients of AML diagnosed over a period of 7 years at our institute and to determine relative frequency of various subtypes (based on FAB and WHO classification). An attempt to characterize the associations between hematological parameters, immunophenotype and these subtypes was also made. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases diagnosed as AML on morphology, cytochemistry and/or immunophenotyping and tested for recurrent genetic abnormalities during period of Jan 2008-July 2014 were included in the study. RESULTS: Age of presentation was younger in our AML patients as compared to western literature. Amongst FAB and WHO subtypes, M2 and t (15;17) PML-RARA were the most common groups respectively. As expected, CD33, CD13, were the most commonly expressed markers followed by HLA-DR, CD117, CD34 and CD14. Aberrant expression was seen in 62(41.6%) cases, most common was CD7 (15.4%), followed by CD56 (14.8%), CD19 (6.7%) and CD2 (4.7%). Significant associations between immunophenotypic markers and FAB subtypes as well as WHO subtypes were established. CONCLUSION: This is a hospital based study, giving a detailed account of frequencies of AML subtypes, hematological parameters and immunophenotypic markers in AML patients at our institute. Being a large and one of its kind study to establish significant associations between various haematological and immunophenotypic parameters with respective AML subtypes and genetic abnormalities, it might prove to be very useful in Indian setup where facilities for cytogenetic analysis are not available in many laboratories.

A near tetraploid clone in acute myeloid leukemia with CD56 expression.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by specific morphology, immunophenotype and genetic rearrangements. Multiple recurrent chromosomal aberrations have been identified by conventional cytogenetic analysis, which are now widely recognized as one of the most important diagnostic and prognostic determinants in AML. Here, we present a case with unusual cytogenetics, which has been described in very few patients.