The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on term placentae.

Background: Coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID 19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by pathogenic RNA viruses called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2). It has affected people of all ages, with high morbidity and mortality among the elderly and immunocompromised population. Limited information is available on the effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy. Aim: To describe the histopathological changes in the placental tissue of SARS-CoV-2 infected term mothers with no comorbidities and to correlate with neonatal outcome. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, KMCH institute of health sciences and research, Coimbatore from May 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020 for 6 months. Placental tissues of all COVID-19-positive term mothers with no comorbidities were included in this study. Histopathological examination of placentae was carried out and clinical data of mothers and newborn babies were obtained from medical records. Results: Histopathological examination of 64 placental tissue of COVID-19 mothers showed predominantly the features of fetal vascular malperfusion like stem villi vasculature thrombus, villous congestion, and avascular villi. No significant correlation was obtained in comparison with parity and symptomatic status of the mothers. However, histopathological changes were more prominent among symptomatic patients. The newborn babies born to these mothers showed no adverse outcome. Conclusion: This study concluded that though COVID-19 infection in normal term pregnant women was associated with increased prevalence of features of fetal vascular malperfusion, there was no significant morbidity in the health status of both COVID-19 mothers and their neonates.

A Rare Case Report of Primary Hydatid Disease of the Scapula - an Unforeseen Diagnosis!

Introduction: Hydatid disease of the bone is a parasitic infestation in the form of cystic echinococcosis by a tapeworm echinococcus granulosus. Its manifestation in the bone is relatively low and has the ability to mimic other skeletal pathologies. Case Report: We came across a 30-year-old male farmer with complaints of sero-purulent discharge from a sinus tract wound in the axilla for the past 3 years. He had been previously evaluated elsewhere with blood investigations, pus culture/sensitivity tests, MRI, and CT scans. Blood reports and culture/sensitivity tests were inconclusive and imaging tests were suggestive of a sinus tract originating from the right scapula. He was incorrectly diagnosed as a case of Tuberculosis of the Scapula and started on anti-tubercular medications for 9 months which was ineffective. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy was taken from the scapular lesion through a posterior approach. Histological tests revealed a cystic lesion composed of trilaminar membrane consisting of dead and degenerating scolices consistent with "Hydatid Cyst of Bone." Conclusion: Hydatid disease of the bone has an inconsistent clinical picture which makes diagnosing this rare disease even more difficult. A high suspicion for hydatid infestation in bone pathologies could help in diagnosing the disease at the earliest.

Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Solanum nigrum Linn Berries in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Solanum nigrum Linn. is a common medicinal plant possessing a wide variety of pharmacological activity. Current treatment of diabetes mellitus has plenty of adverse effects necessitating the search of alternate drugs. AIM: Evaluation of antidiabetic effect of Aqueous Extract of Solanum Nigrum Linn Berries (AESNB) in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were five groups (normal control, diabetic control, AESNB 200 mg/kg/day, ASENB 400 mg/kg/day and standard i.e., glimepride 0.1 mg/kg/day) with six animals in each group. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in rats. The standard drug glimepride in the dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day and the test drug AESNB were given orally in the doses of 200 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day. The fasting blood glucose level was measured by glucometer on day 0, 1,7,14 and 21 after 12 hour. On 21st day after the blood glucose measurement all the animals were sacrificed and their pancreas were analysed histopathologically. The results were analysed statistically by using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum Linn berries in the dose of 200 mg/kg/day produced significant blood glucose reduction (p<0.01) from day 7 and 400 mg/kg/day produced highly significant reduction in blood glucose from day 7 (p<0.001). The standard drug glimepride reduced the blood glucose as equal to normal on day 21 (p<0.001). Histopathological examination showed the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in AESNB group. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum Linn berries possess antidiabetic activity.

Carcinoma within a fibroadenoma: a case report.

Carcinoma within a fibroadenoma is an extremely rare occurrence with a reported incidence of 0.1% and is most often diagnosed incidentally on post-operative examination of excision biopsy specimens. One such case is reported here for its rarity and also for stressing upon the need for compulsory excision of all breast masses clinically diagnosed as fibroadenoma and for highlighting the importance of histopathological evaluation of all breast masses irrespective of their clinical diagnosis as benign.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in oral cavity--a rare site.

MPNST occurring in oral cavity, which is a rare site for the tumour, in a 35 year old female patient with history of swelling underneath the tongue present since one year diagnosed clinically as ranula is presented here. Histopathological examination of the excised mass showed features of spindle cell sarcoma following which a provisional diagnosis of MPNST was offered. The differential diagnosis considered were leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and spindle cell variant of squamous cell carcinoma (being the commoner tumour in oral cavity). Immunohistochemistry confirmed neural origin of the tumour. The case is reported in view of the rarity of the lesion in oral cavity.