Oral pigmented lesions: a retrospective analysis from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented lesions are uncommon in the oral mucosa, and studies investigating the incidence and types of these lesions are desired to improve the diagnostic knowledge of clinicians. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of oral pigmented lesions in a Brazilian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Oral pigmented lesions were retrieved from the files of two oral and maxillofacial pathology services from Brazil over a 45-year period (1974-2019). The clinical data and the diagnoses of each case were retrieved and included in a Microsoft Excel® database. RESULTS: From 77.074 lesions diagnosed in this period, 761 (0.99%) represented pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa, including 351 (46.1%) melanocytic and 410 (53.9%) non-melanocytic lesions, with a higher incidence in females (73.2%) between the fourth and seventh decades of life. Amalgam tattoo (53.6%) represented the most common lesion, followed by melanotic macule (18.3%) and racial pigmentation (10.8%). Other pigmented lesions included nevus (9.9%), post-inflammatory pigmentation (3%), melanoma (2.1%), melanoacanthoma (1.4%), smoker's melanosis (0.4%), drug-induced pigmentation (0.3%), and melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (0.1%). The buccal mucosa was the most commonly affected site (25.2%), followed by the alveolar ridge (14.5%), and gingiva (11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings were similar to previous studies with minor differences due methodology and characteristics of the services from where lesions were retrieved. The knowledge of these data may contribute to a better understanding of oral pigmented lesions and assist clinicians to better recognize and manage them.

Primary melanoma of the oral cavity: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor, rarely observed in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic features of a series of oral melanomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was performed. A total of 15,482 biopsy records from two oral and maxillofacial pathology services in Brazil were analyzed. All cases of oral melanomas were reviewed, and clinical, demographic, histopathological data, treatment, and follow-up status were collected. In addition, immunohistochemistry stains (pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3, vimentin, α-SMA, CD45, S-100 protein, HMB-45, Melan A, and Ki-67) were performed. RESULTS: The series comprised of 5 males (71.4%) and 2 females (28.6%), with a mean age of 58.0 ± 9.2 years (range: 45-69 years) and a 2.5:1 male-to-female ratio. The gingiva (n = 3, 42.8%) and hard palate (n = 2, 28.6%) were the most common affected sites, presenting clinically as ulcerated swellings with a brown to black color. Cervical lymph node metastasis was detected in three patients during the first examination. Microscopically, 6 cases (85.7%) were melanotic, and one (14.3%) was amelanotic. Most cases (n = 4, 57.1%) presented a predominance of epithelioid cells. S-100 and HMB-45 were positive in all cases (n = 7, 100.0%). In contrast, only 4 cases (57.1%) were positive for Melan-A. The proliferative index with Ki-67 was high, with labeling index ranging from 70.0% to more than 90% of positive cells. Five patients died from complications of the tumors after a mean follow-up period of 7.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that rarely occurs in the oral cavity. It occurs mainly in adult and elderly patients and often is diagnosed in advanced stages. The current findings were similar to previous studies and reflected the characteristics of the services from where lesions were retrieved.

Oocyte quality of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) during the reproductive season / Qualidade ovocitária de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) ao longo da estação reprodutiva

The study aimed to analyze the Colossoma macropomum reproductive behavior and quality of the female gametes throughout the reproductive season. The experiment was carried out in Pimenta Bueno - Rondônia State (Northern Brazil) during the reproductive season (2010-2011) using 36 females. Each sampling was performed on a 15 ± 5 days interval. Female gametes were collected by stripping and the following analyses were performed: weight of oocytes released (g); productivity index, fertilization and hatching rate. During the sampling period was verified effect (p < 0.05) of collecting time into the season for oocytes weight, productivity index and fertilization rate. Although the period 3 (December) did not differ significantly from other periods, it showed better parameters for the quality of C. macropomum oocytes.

O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de analisar o comportamento reprodutivo da espécie Colossoma macropomum, quanto à qualidade de seus gametas femininos ao longo da estação reprodutiva. O experimento foi executado em Pimenta Bueno-Rondônia durante a estação reprodutiva do C. macropomum. Utilizaram 36 fêmeas durante a estação de 2010-2011. Cada coleta apresentou um intervalo de 15±5 dias. Através da extrusão foram coletados os gametas femininos e realizadas as seguintes análises ao longo da estação: peso de oócitos liberados (g); índice de produtividade; taxa de fertilização e eclosão. Durante a estação 2010-2011 foi verificado efeito (p < 0,05) de período (coleta) dentro da estação para peso de oócitos, índice de produtividade e taxa de fertilização. Apesar do período 3 (coleta – mês de dezembro) não ter diferenciado significativamente de alguns períodos, foi o que apresentou os melhores parâmetros estabelecidos para a qualidade dos oócitos de C. macropomum.

Peripheral blood leukocytes and serum nested polymerase chain reaction are complementary methods for monitoring active cytomegalovirus infection in transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be a sensitive and effective technique in defining active cytomegalovirus infection, in addition to having low cost and being a useful test for situations in which there is no need for quantification. Real-time PCR has the advantage of quantification; however, the high cost of this methodology makes it impractical for routine use. OBJECTIVE: To apply a nested PCR assay to serum (sPCR) and to evaluate its efficiency to diagnose active cytomegalovirus infection compared with PCR of peripheral blood leukocytes (L-PCR). METHODS: Samples of 37 patients were prospectively evaluated. An internal control was created and applied to sPCR to exclude false-negative results. RESULTS: In total, 21 patients (57%) developed active cytomegalovirus infection. After analyzing the two methods for the diagnosis of active infection, higher sensitivity and negative predictive value of the L-PCR versus sPCR (100% versus 62%), and higher specificity and positive predictive value of sPCR versus L-PCR (81% versus 50% and 72%, respectively) were observed. Discordant results were observed in 11 patients who were L-PCR-positive but sPCR-negative for active cytomegalovirus infection, five of whom developed clinical symptoms of cytomegalovirus. Clinical symptoms were observed in 14 patients, 12 of whom were diagnosed with active infection by nested L-PCR (P=0.007) and seven by nested sPCR (P=0.02). Higher specificity and a positive predictive value for sPCR were observed. CONCLUSION: Nested L-PCR and sPCR were considered to be complementary methods for the diagnosis and management of symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection.

HISTORIQUE: Le cytomégalovirus humain est une cause importante de morbidité et de mortalité chez les patients immunodéprimés. Il est démontré que la réaction en chaîne de la polymérase (PCR) qualitative est une technique sensible et efficace pour définir l'infection active à cytomégalovirus, sans compter qu'elle est peu coûteuse et qu'elle est pratique dans les situations où la quantification est inutile. La PCR en temps réel a l'avantage d'inclure la quantification, mais en raison de son coût élevé, il est impossible d'y recourir systématiquement. OBJECTIF: Appliquer la PCR sur sérum (PCRs) et en évaluer l'efficacité pour diagnostiquer une infection active à cytomégalovirus par rapport à la PCR sur leucocytes du sang périphérique (PCR-L). MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont effectué une évaluation prospective de 37 patients. Ils ont créé un contrôle interne et l'ont appliqué au PCRs en vue d'exclure les résultats faux négatifs. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 21 patients (57 %) ont développé une infection active à cytomégalovirus. Après l'analyse des deux méthodes diagnostiques de l'infection active, les chercheurs ont remarqué la plus forte sensibilité et la valeur prédictive négative de la PCR-L par rapport à la PCRs (100 % par rapport à 62 %) et la plus forte spécificité et la valeur prédictive positive de la PCRs par rapport à la PCR-L (81 % par rapport à 50 % et 72 %, respectivement). Ils ont constaté des résultats discordants chez 11 patients dont la PCR-L était positive, mais la PCRs était négative à l'infection active à cytomégalovirus, dont cinq ont manifesté des symptômes cliniques. Les chercheurs ont remarqué des symptômes cliniques chez 14 patients; dans 12 cas, l'infection active a été diagnostiquée par PCR-L (P=0,007) et dans sept, par PCRs (P=0,02). Ils ont également observé que la PCRs avait une plus forte spécificité et une valeur prédictive positive. CONCLUSION: La PCR-L et la PCRs étaient considérées comme des méthodes complémentaires pour diagnostiquer et prendre en charge l'infection à cytomégalovirus symptomatique.