Scolicidal activity of taurolidine for the treatment of hydatid disease.

OBJECTIVES: In this experimental study, we have evaluated in vivo and in vitro activities of taurolidine (TRD) against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus. BACKGROUND: Scolicidal agent application is mandatory for the interventional treatment of hydatid cysts. Serious adverse effects of current scolicidal agents forced the scientist to search for less toxic chemicals. METHODS: One milliliter of protoscolices suspension was administered into twelve Petri's dishes, six of them containing 5 ml of isotonic saline, and six of them containing 5 ml (5 mg/ml) TRD. Forty, male Balb/c mice were divided into five equal groups. Group 1: protoscolices inoculated group; Group 2: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intravenous (IV) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 3: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intraperitoneal (IP) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 4: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IV 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered; Group 5: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IP 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered. RESULTS: All the protoscolices were dead in TRD-added Petri's Dishes in 90 minutes. In group 2 and group 3, no mouse had an intraabdominal hydatid cyst. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are encouraging us to suggest TRD as an alternative scolicidal agent. Further clinical studies are needed to define the effectiveness and the mode of application of TRD for the treatment of hydatid disease (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

Body stalk anomaly in monozygotic twinning: a case report.

We describe a case of concordant body stalk anomaly in a monozygotic twin. Autopsy of the fetus showed abnormalities compatible with the maldevelopment of embryonic folding. Abdominal viscera were in a sac covered by the amnion and were attached directly to the placenta. The anus was not visible and no discernible external genitalia were noted. Other findings included a neural tube defect and a rectal duplication as an enteric cyst. Umbilical cord had only one vein and an artery. No abnormalities were found on pathologic examination of the placenta. Although we encountered cases previously with gastroschsis and omphalocele, this was the first case of body stalk anomaly that we recognized as an enteric cyst, which is extremely rare in twins.

Congenital generalized infantile myofibromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis. An autopsy case report.

An autopsy case of congenital infantile myofibromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis is reported. A thirty-six-hour-old baby girl had multiple subcutaneous nodules in addition to multiple visceral involvement of heart, lungs, pharynx, larynx, stomach, small bowel, large bowel, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, thyroid, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, peripheral nerves, meninges and soft tissues. In these tumoral nodules, three types of histological patterns were observed: 1-hemangiopericytoma-like, 2-mixed, and 3-pure spindle cell. Tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for actin, and negative for desmin, muscle-specific antigen, and estrogen, related protein. The histological and immunohistochemical findings of the case suggested that a close relationship may exist between infantile myofibromatosis and infantile hemangiopericytoma. In addition to infantile myofibromatosis, neonatal hemochromatosis characterized by iron deposition in parenchymatous organs such as liver, pancreas, lungs, thyroid, and adrenal glands was another important characteristic of the case.