Mast cell hyperplasia in Opisthorchis viverrini-associated cholecystitis.

Despite significant advances in understanding the role of the immune response in Opisthorchis viverrini-associated carcinogenesis, little is known about how infection induces gall bladder disease. This study investigated whether mast cells are activated in cholecystitis associated with O. viverrini, gall bladder specimens from ninety-two patients who had undergone cholecystectomy at the Khon Kaen Regional Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Two representative sections from the body of fresh gall bladder tissue were fixed in Carnoy's solution and embedded in paraffin wax. The paraffin sections were stained for mast cells and IgE plasma cells by the double histochemical and immunohistochemical method. The cells in the epithelium, lamina propria, muscular layer, and subserosa were counted and expressed as cells per square millimeter. The gall bladder bile was examined for the presence of O. viverrini eggs. Significantly higher mean mast cell numbers were found in the lamina propria (221.41 ± 16.01 vs 116.97 ± 14.61 cells per mm2; P < 0.005) of egg positive compared to egg negative groups, respectively. No comparable differences in mast cell number were observed in other layers. IgE plasma cells were rarely seen. The results suggest that mast cell hyperplasia occurs during cholecystitis in association with opisthorchiasis and may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Toxoplasma gondii-associated cholecystitis in a cat receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

A 9-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia that was treated with prednisolone and cyclosporine, was presented for anorexia, vomiting, increased liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a markedly thickened gallbladder and common bile duct wall. Bile cytology detected severe neutrophilic inflammation and protozoal zoites. Suspected Toxoplasma gondii infection was confirmed by real-time PCR of bile. The cat was treated with clindamycin and ursodeoxycholic acid for 6 weeks, recovered and remained stable for 2 years despite ongoing immunosuppressive treatment. Thereafter, the cat was presented with suspicion of intestinal lymphoma, and recurrence of toxoplasmosis was diagnosed. Following treatment with clindamycin and prednisolone over 4 weeks the cat was euthanized. This is the first report of Toxoplasma gondii zoites detected in bile fluid from a cat with cholecystitis. Pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in cats is still not fully understood. Although immunosuppression can represent a relevant predisposing factor, other factors, such as virulence of the parasite and genetic polymorphism of the host, can also play an important role. Toxoplasmosis should be included as a differential diagnosis in cats developing clinical signs of an inflammatory disease while receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

Biliary Taeniasis with Cholecystitis: An Unusual Case of Taenia solium Infection with a Literature Review.

Taeniasis is a cosmopolitan helminthic disease caused by Taenia species, which included Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica. These parasites typically infect the small intestine, but cases of aberrant migration have been reported. We treated a 70-year-old man who presented with vomiting and colicky abdominal pain. On physical examination, Murphy's sign was positive, and laboratory findings indicated severe inflammation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed typical features of cholecystitis. An 82-cm-long, slender and degenerated, parasite-like organism was aspirated through a percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage tube. After extensive washing of the organism, we detected yellowish-brown colored, spherical 37.9 × 33.8-µm-sized taenid eggs with thick transverse striations. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained worm sections also contained Taeniidae eggs. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA extracted from the worm with species-specific cytochrome c1 (cox1) primer sets detected a T. solium-specific fragment. Because of sustained high fever combined with inflammatory signs, the patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and inflamed gallbladder removal. A histopathologic specimen demonstrated chronic reactive cholecystitis. The patient's fever and leukocytosis rapidly resolved after surgery. We experienced an uncommon case of biliary taeniasis representing cholecystitis caused by adult worm of T. solium.

[Chronorehabilitation of the patients suffering from chronic cholecystitis with concomitant gallbladder dysfunction and opisthorchiasis]. / Khronoreabilitatsiia bol'nykh khronicheskim kholetsistitom s disfunktsiei zhelchnogo puzyria i opistorkhozom.

The importance of the development of the effective rehabilitative measures for the patients suffering from chronic cholecystitis with concomitant gallbladder dysfunction and opisthorchiasis is beyond question. The adequate methods for the rehabilitation of the patients after an intensive de-worming remain to be developed. It is known that de-worming is not infrequently followed by the immediate amplification of the manifestations of the stagnation of bile in the gallbladder that become even more pronounced than before the de-worming procedure. With the purpose of improving the effectiveness of the spa and health resort-based rehabilitation and prevention of the complications, it is recommended to make use of the modern therapeutic physical factors to be prescribed taking into consideration the characteristics of the biological rhythms in the functional activity of the biliary system in the individual patients. The most effective rehabilitation methods for the treatment of the pathology in question include the application of the therapeutic physical factors known to produce the beneficial effect on the functional state of the biliary system and exert the normalizing influence on the structure of the biological rhythms of the functional activity of various organs and systems. We used a range of approaches for the treatment of 123 patients with chronic cholecystitis and concomitant gallbladder dysfunction plus opisthorchiasis including extremely high-frequency electromagnetic irradiation (EHF therapy) in the combination with the oral intake of the choleretic herbal remedies followed by the transverse galvanization of the epigastric region with due regard for the phase of the rhythm of the functional activity of the gallbladder. The results of such treatment gave evidence of the positive dynamics of all the studied indicators of the functional activity of the biliary system and the organism as a whole which suggests the highest therapeutic effect (87.9%) of the proposed treatment that was maintained during 6 to 12 months.

HEPATOBILIARY ASCARIASIS COMPLICATED BY PANCREATITIS.

Ascaris lumbricoides is the commonest organism causing soil-transmitted helminth infection. It is particularly common in poor sanitary conditions. Nevertheless, involvement of the gallbladder by Ascaris is a rare entity. A lady presented to us with long-standing history of vague abdominal symptoms suggesting dyspepsia. Ultrasound showed a tube like structure invading the biliary channels. Serum amylase was elevated and the patient was managed conservatively, as for acute pancreatitis. She improved clinically, but subsequent imaging with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed worm in the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done and Ascaris lumbricoides was removed. Ascaris infestation is an important differential diagnosis of patients with upper abdominal symptoms and screening with stool examination and ultrasound is warranted in high-risk population.

Primary hydatid cyst of the gallbladder: an unusual localization diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Hydatid disease is endemic in Tunisia and has been considered as one of the most common surgical pathology. Several localizations have been described, but hydatidosis of the liver is the most frequent clinical entity. Primary hydatid cyst of the gallbladder is very rare. We report in this observation a new case of primary hydatid cyst of the gallbladder diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Eosinophilic cholecystitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides.

Eosinophilic cholecystitis is caused by the accumulation of eosinophils in the gallbladder wall and diagnosis is usually made based on histopahologic studies. The purpose of this paper is to comment on a case report published in World J Gastroenterol 2007 July; 13 (27): 3760-3762, about eosinophilic cholecystitis along with pericarditis without histopathological studies, which are considered necessary for its diagnosis.

Eosinophilic cholecystitis as a rare manifestation of visceral larva migrans.

Eosinophilic cholecystitis is an infrequent form of cholecystitis. The etiology of eosinophilic cholecystitis is still obscure, and it is sometimes accompanied with several complications, but a simultaneous onset with pericarditis is very rare. We would like to make an alternative interpretation of our recent report "Kaji K, Yoshiji H, Yoshikawa M, Yamazaki M, Ikenaka Y, Noguchi R, Sawai M, Ishikawa M, Mashitani T, Kitade M, Kawaratani H, Uemura M, Yamao J, Fujimoto M, Mitoro A, Toyohara M, Yoshida M, Fukui H. Eosinophilic cholecystitis along with pericarditis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides: A case report. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13: 3760-3762."

Presentation and endoscopic management of biliary ascariasis.

Ascaris lumbricoides is a common parasite and the most serious and dramatic presentation is hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis (HPA). Therefore, this study was planned prospectively to elucidate the clinical presentation of HPA and evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic intervention. In this study we documented 77 consecutive patients with HPA from January 2000 to November 2005. All the patients had endoscopically proven HPA. A total of 77 patients were included in the study. The age ranged from 6 to 80 years, with the third decade most commonly (28.6%) affected. Females were 6 times more likely to be affected than males. The commonest presentation was biliary colic (97.4%); other presentations were acute cholangitis (15.6%), obstructive jaundice (9.1%), acute pancreatitis (6.5%), choledocholithiasis (6.5%), acute cholecystitis (6.5%) and liver abscess (2.6%). In this report 51 (66.2%) had living, 10 (13%) had dead and 16 (20.8%) had both living and dead worms. Choledocholithiasis was associated only with dead worms. From one to 23 worms were found in the biliary tree. In 94.8% of cases we had to remove the worm by wide papillotomy followed by basket extraction. We did not experience any major complications during or following the procedures. Three patients had recurrent HPA during the course of follow-up (1 to 12 months). The majority of patients with HPA presented with biliary colic. This should be kept in mind in the management of an acute abdomen, especially in tropical countries. Endoscopic extraction is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of HPA.

Eosinophilic cholecystitis along with pericarditis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides: a case report.

Although the etiology of eosinophilic cholecystitis is still obscure, the postulated causes include allergies, parasites, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. It is sometimes accompanied by several complications, but a simultaneous onset with pericarditis is very rare. A 28-year-old woman complained of acute right hypocondrial pain and dyspnea associated with systemic eruption. Several imaging modalities revealed acute cholecystitis and pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion. A marked peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed, and the eruption was diagnosed as urticaria. Her serum had a high titer of antibody against Ascaris lumbricoides. Treatment with albendazole drastically improved all clinical manifestations along with normalization of the imaging features and eosinophilia. We report herein a rare case of simultaneous onset of acute cholecystitis and pericarditis associated with a marked eosinophilia caused by parasitic infection.

Acute cholecystitis caused by Clonorchis sinensis.

We are reporting a case of a 43-year-old Chinese male from Hong Kong, who came to see a doctor complaining of acute onset of severe upper abdominal pain. A diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made and an emergency cholecystectomy was carried out. On opening the common bile duct, lancet-shaped worms were seen emerging from it. About 45 adult worms were collected and sent to the Department of Parasitology University of Malaya for identification. The worms were identified as Clonorchis sinensis. After the operation the patient was treated with praziquantel and he had an uneventful recovery.

Cholecystitis in otters (Lutra lutra) and mink (Mustela vison) caused by the fluke Pseudamphistomum truncatum.

Between 1988 and 2004, postmortem examinations were carried out on 445 otters found dead, mostly as a result of road traffic accidents, in southern and south-west England. Thickened, shrunken gall bladders were observed in 10 cases, the first in 2000 and the others between February 2002 and August 2004. A digenean fluke, Pseudamphistomum truncatum, was found in the gall bladders of three cases and also in three of seven American mink examined. Nine of the 10 otters and all the mink came from a localised area of Somerset, indicating that the fluke has become established in the local fish population. P. truncatum has not been recorded previously in Britain, and the results suggest that it has been introduced recently, possibly in imported fish.

Histological analysis of gallbladder diseases in relation to opisthorchiasis in endemic areas of Thailand.

Chronic gallbladder disease frequently accompanies infection with the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, in Northeast Thailand. However, the pathology and pathogenesis of the gallbladder disease have not been described. Accordingly, gallbladder specimens from 187 consecutive patients who had undergone cholecystectomy at a referral hospital in an endemic area in Thailand were histologically characterized in relation to O. viverrini infection. The infection was assessed by the presence of parasite eggs in the bile and/or antibody response to the liver fluke. The average level of parasite-specific IgG was significantly higher in patients with Opisthorchis eggs in the bile than those without (P<0.001). The main histopathologic features of the gallbladder included inflammation, mucosal atrophy/or hyperplasia, goblet cell metaplasia, mucous gland hyperplasia, Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus formation, dysplasia and fibrosis. The fibrosis was strongly associated with elevated levels of Opisthorchis-specific antibody (P<0.001) but not with the presence of parasite eggs. Other pathologic features did not vary in frequency or severity with parasitological status. Our results show that severe fibrosis of the gallbladder is a more common histologic feature of cholecystitis among those with O. viverrini infection compared to those without infection. The close relationship between parasite-specific IgG and severe fibrosis suggests that specific immune response to the parasite play an important role in the pathogenesis of the fibrotic change.

[Gallbladder ascariasis with acute hepatitis. Conservative treatment]. / Ascaridiasis vesicular asociada a hepatitis aguda. Manejo conservador.

We report two cases of gallbladder ascaridiasis associated with acute hepatitis, its clinical evolution with conservative treatment, making diagnosis by both laboratory and ultrasono-graphic studies. Case 1: was a male in his early forties who experienced symptoms of acute hepatitis and cholecystitis within a time lapse of 72 h of evolution. When laboratory tests and ultrasound (US) were done, an ascaris inside gallbladder was corroborated. There were also alterations compatible with acute non-viral hepatitis. Conservative treatment was done with observations within an 8-day period that hepatic examinations were normal as well as absence of helminthus inside gallbladder. Case 2: A 10-year-old female, who expelled worms 8 months previously had 11 days evidence of acute cholecystitis and hepatitis. An ultrasound of liver and biliary tract was done, with evidence of Ascaris lumbricoides inside gallbladder, with alterations in hepatic tests. This was medically treated, achieving expulsion of the Ascaris lumbricoides from inside the gallbladder and normalization of liver function tests. Gallbladder ascaridiasis management may be conservative. Patient general condition must be evaluated, as well or medical evolution and associated pathologies that may interfere in certain ways in surgery. Follow-up of these patients must be strict, with medical evaluation and laboratory controls.

[Biochemical characteristics of hepatic functions in different clinical forms of chronic opisthorchiasis]. / Biokhimicheskaia kharakteristika funktsii pecheni pri razlichnykh klinicheskikh formakh khronicheskogo opistorkhoza.

The main biochemical indices of hepatic functions (the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, alpha-amylase, choline esterase and the concentrations of total bilirubin, cholesterol, and glucose) were studied in the sera of 256 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis. It was found that with diseases manifested in different clinical forms (cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholangiocholecystitis, cholangiohepatitis, cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis), most study indices are within the normal ranges, but significantly differ from the means in a group of apparently healthy individuals. The findings suggest that such clinical forms of opisthorchiais as cholangiocholecystitis and cholangiohepatitis are characterized by manifestations of cytolysis and cholestasis, as cholecystitis is manifested by cytolysis, as cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis, by cholestasis, and as cholangitis, by cholestasis and hepatic cell insufficiency. It is possible that further studies will provide evidence for how to correct detected disorders during pathogenetic therapy.