Expression of peanut agglutinin-binding mucin-type glycoprotein in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as a marker.

BACKGROUND: The TF (Thomson-Friedenreich) blood group antigen behaves as an onco-foetal carcinoma-associated antigen, showing increased expression in malignancies and its detection and quantification can be used in serologic diagnosis mainly in adenocarcinomas. This study was undertaken to analyze the sera and tissue level detectable mucin-type glycoprotein (TF-antigen) by Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and its diagnostic index in serum as well tissues of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as marker. RESULTS: We examined 100 patients for serological analysis by Enzyme Linked Lectin Assay (ELISA) and demonstrated a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 90% and a positive predictive value of 95%. The immuno-histochemical localization of TF antigen by Fluorescence Antigen Technique (FAT) in 25 specimens of normal esophageal squamous epithelium specimens and 92 specimens with different grades of, allowed a quicker and more precise identification of its increased expression and this did not correlate with gender and tumor size. There was a positive correlation between membrane bound TF antigen expression with different histological progression, from well differentiated to poorly differentiated, determined by PNA binding. Specimens showed morphological changes and a pronounced increase in PNA binding in Golgi apparatus, secretory granules of the cytosol of well differentiated and an increased cell membrane labeling in moderately and poorly differentiated, when compared with ESCC and normal tissues. CONCLUSION: The authors propose that the expression of TF-antigen in human may play an important role during tumorigenesis establishing it as a chemically well-defined carcinoma-associated antigen. Identification of the circulating TF-antigen as a reactive form and as a cryptic form in the healthy individuals, using PNA-ELLA and Immunohistochemical analysis of TF antigen by FAT is positively correlated with the different histological grades as a simple and cost-effective method for the early diagnosis of ESCC. The present study reveals that, during tumorigenesis, an aberrant glycosylation takes place in Golgi apparatus leading to over secretion of TF antigen into the cytoplasm along with mucin granules and later into cell membrane. We suggest that the further characterization of TF antigen may unravel pathogenetic aspects of this silent disease.

Mycetomas caused by Streptomyces pelletieri in Madras, India.

Biopsy specimens from 93 patients with mycetoma were examined histologically; Streptomyces pelletieri was found in 12 cases. In addition, two cases of actinomycetoma pedis in which S pelletieri has been isolated in culture are described. In both, the characteristic red granules were seen.

Multidrug resistance 1 gene expression in Indian patients with gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma is frequently refractory to chemotherapy. The multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) encodes for a protein (p-glycoprotein) that functions as a drug efflux pump and thus contributes to resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: We studied gastric tissues from 28 patients with gastric cancer for MDR1 expression, using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Sixteen (57%) of 28 cases showed MDR1 expression. Sections of normal mucosa away from the tumor showed perinuclear staining for MDR1 in surface epithelial cells, whereas tumor cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Over one half of gastric carcinoma specimens at our center show MDR1 gene expression.

Actinomadura Pelle171eri Causing White Grain Mycetoma.

Actinomadura pelletieri causing white grain mycetoma pedis in a 32 year old farmer is reported. The right foot was swollen, firm painless, non tender and had a number of small nodules breaking down to form sinuses. The seropurulent discharge contained dirty white grains measuring 0.5 to 1 mm, composed of unfragmented filaments of bacterial width. Histologic examination of the biopsy material revealed the characteristic granule of A. Pelletieri and culture yielded typical coral red colonies.

Leptosphaeria Senegalensis Causing Mycetoma Pedis in Madras.

Two cases of eumycetoma pedis caused by Leptosphaeria senegalensis in Twnilians are reported. Both presented with swelling of the foot and multiple sinuses discharging serosanguinous material which contained black granules. In the first case, the specific diagnosis was made by histopathology and isolation of, L. senegalensis. In the other, the eristic granules were tissue section.

Streptomyces Somalinesiscausing Mycetomas in South India.

Biopsy specimens from 102 patients with mycetoma were examined histologically; Streptomyces somaliensis was found in 5 cases. The clinical features, radiology and histology of actinomycotic mycetoma due to S. somaliensis ar ' e described. The geographic distribution of the organism, its incidence and prevalence in India and the importance of histological examination in the diagnosis of the infection are discussed.

Nocardia species from bronchopulmonary infections and mycetomas.

350 specimens comprising sputum, bronchial aspirate, pleural fluid, pus and biopsy material were investigated for the presence of Nocardia spp. by the paraffin bait technique. Nocardia spp. were isolated in 15 of them. The physiological and morphological characteristics of the organisms and the use of paraffin baiting, a selective technique for isolating Nocardia spp. from clinical specimens, are discussed.

Trichosporon Beigelli Infection in Tamilnadu.

White piedra occurring on pubic hairs is reported in a patient from Tamil Nadu. The patient complained of hard brown nodules along the shafts of the pubic hairs. These were shown to be composed of transparent, greenish tinged, mycelial mass extending along the hair as a sheath and hyphae segmenting into round, oval or rectangular cells. Trichosporon beigelli was isolated in pure culture. The other cases previously reported from India are reviewed.