Inappropriate mucin production in gall bladder metaplasia and neoplasia--an immunohistological study.

This study demonstrates the presence of three antigens in glandular metaplasia occurring in patients with cholecystitis and cholelithiasis: specifically carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), large intestinal mucin antigen (LIMA) and small intestinal mucin antigen (SIMA). These antigens could not be detected in normal gall bladder mucosa or in squamous metaplasia of the gall bladder. The occurrence of the three intestine-associated antigens in three carcinomas was irregular. In one mucinous carcinoma, only SIMA could be demonstrated. In one adenocarcinoma, SIMA was present in small areas of mucinous change, whilst CEA was present in the non-mucinous malignant tissue. In a mixed mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma with widespread dissemination, the three antigens were present both in the primary tumour and the metastases. These observations suggest that all forms of glandular metaplasia of the gall bladder are intestinal in nature and at least a proportion of gall bladder carcinomas are of an intestinal type. Finally they provide further immunological evidence that glandular metaplasia of the gall bladder should be considered a pre-malignant condition.

Association of respiratory virus infections with sudden infant death syndrome.

From September, 1974, to September, 1979, 488 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Melbourne were studied for evidence of viral infection. One hundred and eighty-eight infants (39%) yielded one or more viruses, with respiratory viruses being detected in 102 cases (21%). Further evidence of a respiratory virus association with SIDS was obtained by comparing the monthy respiratory virus isolation rates at the Royal Children's Hospital from 1973 to 1979 with the incidence of SIDS in the same period. A highly significant correlation was obtained between these isolation rates and the incidence of SIDS, which suggests that respiratory viruses play a role in SIDS in Melbourne.

Ocular histopathology in animals experimentally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepraemurium. 1. Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepraemurium infections in the mouse. 2. Mycobacterium leprae infections in the 9-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus L.).

At varying periods of time following the successful establishment of systemic infections with Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepraemurium in the mouse and the nine-banded armadillo eyes were examined by light microscopy. Inoculation of bacilli was by the intravenous or intraperitoneal route or directly into the hind footpads; eyes were not directly inoculated in this study. During periods of up to 3 years under laboratory conditions no animal showed evidence of impaired vision or blindness, and the external appearance of both eyes was normal. The ocular histopathology and the sites of accumulation of bacilli are described. In immunologically normal mice infected with M. lepraemurium bacilli were much commoner in extraorbital tissues, but they were, nevertheless, found in various tissues within the orbit, including the ciliary body and sclera. In immunologically normal mice (and one rat) injected with M. leprae of human origin no bacilli were found in the eye, but in mice immunologically depressed by thymectomy and total body irradiation considerable numbers of bacilli were present in the iris and ciliary body and also in the limbal cornea. In the armadillo bacilli were found in large numbers in virtually all tissues except the lens, retina, optic nerve, and aqueous and vitreous humours, but the uveal tract was heavily involved. Findings are discussed in relation to the great frequency of ocular involvement and the importance of immune-complex disease in patients with lepromatous leprosy, and to factors wihch may favour the localisation and multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae in the eye.

Ocular histopathology in animals experimentally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepraemurium

At varying periods of time following the successful establishment of systemic infections with Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepraemurium in the mouse and the nine-banded armadillo eyes were examined by light microscopy. Inoculation of bacilli was by the intravenous or intraperitoneal route or directly into the hind footpads; eyes were not directly inoculated in this study. During periods of up to 3 years under laboratory conditions no animal showed evidence of impaired vision or blindness, and the external appearance of both eyes was normal. The ocular histopathology and the sites of accumulation of bacilli are described. In immunologically normal mice infected with M. lepraemurium bacilli were much commoner in extraorbital tissues, but they were, nevertheless, found in various tissues within the orbit, including the ciliary body and sclera. In immunologically normal mice (and one rat) injected with M. leprae of human origin no bacilli were found in the eye, but in mice immunologically depressed by thymectomy and total body irradiation considerable numbers of bacilli were present in the iris and ciliary body and also in the limbal cornea. In the armadillo bacilli were found in large numbers in virtually all tissues except the lens, retina, optic nerve, and aqueous and vitreous humours, but the uveal tract was heavily involved. Findings are discussed in relation to the great frequency of ocular involvement and the importance of immune-complex disease in patients with lepromatous leprosy, and to factors wihch may favour the localisation and multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae in the eye.