The revised BSCC terminology for abnormal cervical cytology.

The BSCC terminology was originally published in 1986 and although highly successful, requires revision. Through a process of professional consensus and literature review this has been undertaken by the BSCC. The revision takes account of recent developments and improvements in understanding of morphology and disease process and is compatible with other terminologies in use elsewhere, whilst still maintaining a focus on practice in the UK cervical screening programmes.

A study of adhesion molecules as markers of progression in malignant melanoma.

Adhesion molecules are substances which are involved in the interactions between cells, and between cells and the extracellular matrix in both benign and malignant tissues. Two members of this group--intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and MUC18--have previously been found to be expressed on melanoma; however, studies seeking a correlation between expression and metastatic behaviour have yielded conflicting results. In this study we investigated the expression of these two antigens and that of a number of other adhesion molecules [VCAM-1, ELAM, and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)] on a range of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. Both ICAM-1 and MUC18 were found on a high percentage of all melanocytic lesions including benign naevi. VCAM-1 was found to be expressed on 79 per cent of benign naevi, 62 per cent of primary melanomas less than 1.5 mm in depth, and 6 per cent of thick primaries. The antigen was present on 14 per cent of lymph node metastases and on no extranodal deposits. This suggests that loss of melanoma cell adhesion mediated by VCAM-1 may be important in the development of metastatic melanoma.

Role of Campylobacter jejuni as a placental pathogen.

Members of the genus Campylobacter are well recognised as enteric pathogens but have rarely been implicated as human placental pathogens. A case of septic abortion due to C jejuni is reported. This occurred in a previously healthy woman with a diarrhoeal illness. The presence of chorioamnionitis raises the possibility of ascending infection rather than septicaemic spread as the pathogenesis. Members of the genus Campylobacter have special culture requirements and their incidence as placental pathogens may therefore be underestimated.

Factor XIIIa in nodular malignant melanoma and Spitz naevi.

The distribution of factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendritic cells was studied in a series of nodular malignant melanomas and compared with that seen in Spitz naevi. Two patterns of distribution were recognizable: (a) diffusely spread through the tumour and (b) located mainly at the periphery of the tumour. These did not correlate with the diagnosis of melanoma or Spitz naevus and the distribution appeared to be a function of growth pattern of the tumour. The diffuse pattern was the most common regardless of diagnosis and the distribution of factor XIIIa-positive cells is the same in malignant melanoma and Spitz naevi.