Neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas: a clinicopathological study of nine cases including six insulinomas.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET) are relatively uncommon, accounting for 1-2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. They are characterised by varying clinical presentation, tumour biology and prognosis. AIM: To provide an updated overview on clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome of pNET. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our retrospective study, we reviewed 9 cases of pNET that were diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Mongi Slim Hospital over an 11-year period (2003- 2013). Relevant clinical information and microscopic slides were available in all cases and were retrospectively reviewed. The latest WHO classification (2010) was adopted. RESULTS: Our study group included 3 men and 6 women (M/F ratio 0.5) with an age between 20 and 75 years (mean = 52 years). Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours ranged in size from 0.5 to 10 cm (mean 4 cm). The sites of pNET were the head of the pancreas (n = 4), the body of the pancreas (n = 3) and the tail of the pancreas (n = 2). Enucleation of the tumour was performed in five cases, Three patients underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, whereas only one patient had central pancreatectomy. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen coupled with immunohistochemical study established a diagnosis of pNET grade 1 (G1) in seven cases and grade 2 (G2) in two cases. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with distinct tumour genetics, biology and clinicopathological features. Accurate clinical and pathologic diagnosis is an important first step in developing an appropriate management plan.

Dual infection with Bordetella pertussis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in three infants: case reports.

Studying pertussis-like respiratory infections, we report the cases of three infants with evidence of both Bordetella pertussis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Bordetella infection was identified by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal specimens. Neither B. pertussis nor B. parapertussis were recovered on the culture of nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from any subjects. M. pneumoniae etiology was diagnosed by culture and RT-PCR. The evolution was fatal for all of the subjects. We conclude that, among patients with Bordetella infection, co-infection with another respiratory pathogen is often probable, and these mixed infections might cause a more severe form of illness, sometimes leading to death.

[HFE gene mutations in Tunisian major beta-Thalassemia and iron overload]. / Mutations du gène HFE chez des beta-thalassémiques majeurs tunisiens et surcharge en fer.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we have determined the allele frequency of HFE mutations H63D and C282Y in a group of Tunisian beta-thalassemia major patients. These two mutations are implicated in hereditary hemochromatosis among Caucasians. In this study we wanted to correlate these mutations with the iron status in major beta-thalassemia patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty Tunisian major beta-thalassemia were screening for the C282Y and H63D by digestion of polymerase chain reaction products (RFLP). Serum ferritin level was measured by immunoenzymatic microparticular essay. RESULTS: The allele frequency of H63D mutation was 17%. C282Y mutation was not present in our studied patients. No statistically significant difference of serum ferritin level was found between major beta-thalassemia with and without HFE mutations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that H63D mutation is so frequent in Tunisian major beta-thalassemia patients than in the general population and that the coinheritance of H63D mutation does not influence the severity of iron overload in these patients.

[Non-groupable streptococci: identification, sensitivity to antibiotics (Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis)]. / Les streptocoques non groupables: identification, sensibilite aux antibiotiques (Hôpital Charles Nicolle de Tunis).

50 strains of viridans streptococci isolated from human material are identified by biochemical tests (bile esculin, Cl Na 6,5%, acid production from lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, arginine, esculin and starch hydrolysis; production of levan and dextran in sucrose media) Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis are predominant species. Susceptibility to antibiotics was studied: 70% of viridans streptococci were susceptible to all antibiotics tested, high level resistance to aminoglycoside was not present. The only resistance observed were to tetracycline, macrolides and related drugs.

[Group D streptococci and enterococci: identification, sensitivity to antibiotics and a study of the high level resistance to aminosides (Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis)]. / Les streptocoques du groupe D et les enterocoques: identification, sensibilite aux antibiotiques et etude de la resistance haut niveau aux aminosides (Hôpital Charles Nicolle de Tunis).

197 strains of enterococcus and group D Streptococcus were isolated from human material at Charles Nicolle Hospital (Tunis) and identified by biochemical tests: 174, Enterococcus faecalis, 6 Enterococcus faecium, 2 Enterococcus durans and 15 Streptococcus bovis. The sensitivity to antibiotics was studied: all Enterococcus faecium were resistant at least to one antibiotic, 15% of Enterococcus faecalis were sensitive for all antibiotics tested the other species were frequently sensitive. High level resistance to aminoglycosides were frequent in Enterococcus faecalis 40%: among these strains high level resistance to gentamicin accounts for 12% and 18 frequently associated with resistance to kanamycin and streptomycin, this situation present therapeutic problems in case of severe infection.