Significance of histopathology in leprosy patients with 1-5 skin lesions with relevance to therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with 1-5 skin lesions are clinically categorized as paucibacillary for treatment purposes. For betterment and adequate treatment of patients, this grouping needs further study. AIM: To study a group of leprosy patients with 1-5 skin lesions, compare clinical details with histopathological findings and bacteriological status of the skin to evaluate the relevance of this grouping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-year study involving 31 patients of leprosy with 1-5 skin lesions was included in this study. A number of skin lesions were recorded. Skin biopsies were taken in all patients. The biopsies were evaluated for the type of pathology and acid fast bacilli (AFB) status. RESULTS: Of 31 patients, 19 (61.2%) had single skin lesion, 7 (22.5%) had two lesions, 4 (12.9%) had three lesions, and only one (3.22%) had four lesions, there were no patients with five lesions. Of the 31 patients, 30 (96.7%) were clinically diagnosed as borderline tuberculoid and one patient (3.22%) has tuberculoid leprosy. Skin smears were negative for AFB in all patients. The histological diagnoses were: TT 1 (3.22%), BT 24 (77.41%), and IL 6 (19.2%). AFB were found in 2 (6.45%) out of 31 skin biopsies. Clinicopathological correlation was 76.6% in the BT group. CONCLUSION: Tissue biopsy findings in 1-5 skin lesions which were not considered relevant for treatment purposes until now should be given a status in the categorization and assessment of severity of the disease. The significance of finding of AFB and histopathology of multibacillary (MB) type of leprosy in tissue biopsies, in patients grouped as PB should be resolved so that patients could be given the drug therapy and duration of therapy they warrant.

Ultrafast formation of nonemissive species via intermolecular interaction in single crystals of conjugated molecules.

We investigate the influence of interchain interactions on the photoluminescence processes in a sexithiophene single crystal by applying hydrostatic pressure. We perform transient photoluminescence spectroscopy in the time domain of 100 fs for pressures up to 60 kbar. The combined use of steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopies allows us to show that the pressure-induced quenching of the photoluminescence is caused by an ultrafast (approximately 100 fs) formation of intermolecular species.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma mimicking miliary tuberculosis.

A case of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, with widespread dissemination to both lungs and miliary mottling on chest X-ray is reported in a 40 year old male.

Histopathological correlation of skin biopsies in leprosy.

Histopathological correlation of skin biopsies in 372 leprosy patients was done with clinical diagnosis using Ridley Jopling classification. There was agreement in 62.63% of cases. The correlation was highest in LL (80%) followed by Bl. (70%), BT (66.34%), BB (50%) and TT (46.15%). The other interesting observation was that the number of IL cases diagnosed histopathologically were more when compared to that made clinically.

Primary cutaneous mucin producing squamous cell carcinoma.

Variants of squamous cell carcinoma are often rare but they an aggressive tumours with a potential for local recurrence and metastasis. A deeply invasive primary mucin producing squamous cell carcinoma of skin is one such rare variant.

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst mimicking squamous cell carcinoma.

A proliferating trichilemmal cyst of long standing duration, with its sudden increase in size and ulceration was clinically suspected to be a squamous cell carcinoma. Microscopic features revealed the appropriate diagnosis.

Role of basement membrane collagen and elastin in the autofluorescence spectra of the colon.

BACKGROUND: Autofluoresence can be used to detect neoplasia in the colon. Two known fluorophores, collagen and elastin, are probably partly responsible for colonic emission spectra. Their contribution to colonic autofluorescence was investigated. METHODS: Autofluorescence spectra of normal, dysplastic, and malignant colonic tissue were studied by using excitation wavelengths from 280 nm to 350 nm. The wavelengths of peak emission and their widths at half maximum intensity were measured. Similar measurements were performed on collagen types I, III, IV, V, IX, and elastin. Colonic spectra were compared to those of collagen and elastin. Spectral differences between collagen types IV (basement membrane) I, III, V, and IX were studied. RESULTS: Four major emission peaks were noted whose wavelength of peak emission and full widths at half maximum intensity were independent of tissue histology. The emission spectra of type IV collagen differed markedly from that of nonbasement membrane collagens and elastin. CONCLUSIONS: Type IV (basement membrane) collagen is most likely responsible for the emission peak at 365 nm. The spectra of basement membrane collagen and not other types of collagen should be used in studies of epithelial tissue spectra. Elastin did not appear to be responsible for any of the four autofluorescence peaks observed in colonic tissue.

Emission spectra of colonic tissue and endogenous fluorophores.

Autofluorescence emission spectra of normal, adenomatous, and malignant tissues of the colon were compared to that of known fluorophores to indicate the possible causes of tissue fluorescence. Data were collected from normal mucosa (n = 18), adenomatous polyps (n = 32), and adenocarcinoma (n = 18) of the colon. A range of cellular and extracellular fluorophores (elastin, collagen, flavin adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, phenylalanine, pyridoxal 5' phosphate, tryptophan, and tyrosine) were similarly examined using a spectrofluorometer with emission and excitation spectrometers. Emission intensities were plotted against wavelength. Wavelengths of peak emission and the width of each peak at half its maximum intensity were measured. Colonic tissue gave four major emission peaks, the wavelengths of which were independent of tissue histology. Tryptophan and collagen type IV appeared to be responsible for two of the peaks. It is possible that NADH may be the cause of a third emission maxima.

Calcification of ulnar nerve in a patient with tuberculoid leprosy--a case report.

A case of Tuberculoid Leprosy who showed Evidence of Calcification of Right Ulnar Nerve at Elbow on Radiological Examination is reported.

Pressure-induced shifts of the fluorescence spectrum of rhodamine 6G in solution.

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the fluorescence spectrum of rhodamine 6G dye in two different solutions is studied. The peak shifts to longer wavelengths with increasing pressure with a pressure coefficient of -29 and -19 cm(-1)/kbar for ethanol and 4:1 methanol-ethanol solvents, respectively. Possible applications of increasing the tunability of dye lasers by pressure are discussed.

Naevus Lipomatosus Cutaneous Superficialis.

A case of naevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficilis on the left sacro gluteo-coxal area in a 25 year old male is reported because of its rarity. The clinical features and hisoopathological changes of this condition are described. The possible factors regarding its predilection to the pelvic girdle region, the various theories regarding, its pathogensis and its differentiation from focal dermal. hypoplasia syndrome and grouped lesions of macular atrophy are discussed.