Biochanin A in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection: effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis.

Biochanin A (BCA) is a multifunctional natural compound that possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BCA on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Fifty mice were divided into six different groups as non-infected, non-infected BCA-treated, infected untreated, early infected BCA-treated (seven days post-infection (dpi)), late infected BCA-treated 60 dpi and infected praziquantel (PZQ)-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were investigated in liver sections. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression of S. mansoni was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A single dose of BCA significantly reduced worm burden in early (82.14%) and late infection (77.74%), mean tissue egg load in early (7.27 ± 0.495) and late BCA administration (7.63 ± 0.435) and decreased granuloma size. CYP450 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in early BCA treatment as compared to late treatment which emphasizes that early administration of BCA had more pronounced effects on worms than late administration. Both early and late BCA administration led to significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines as TGF and iNOS. Although the reduction of TGF and iNOS in BCA-treated mice was superior to PZQ, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, a significant downregulation of COX2 was noted in hepatocytes as compared to both infected control and PZQ-treated mice. BCA has schistosomicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and could be regarded as a potential drug in schistosomiasis treatment.

Helminth infections: therapeutic potential in autoimmune disorders.

Knowledge of immunity enables us to predict that the reactions set in response to infection with helminth would prevent concomitant disease driven by an opposing spectrum of immune events. In another way, the immune response generated to combat the helminth infection could counteract the immunopathological reactions that drive autoimmune diseases. Rodent model systems recapitulate many aspects of human autoimmune diseases and have been enormously useful in defining mechanisms of immunopathology after infection. From this theoretical perspective, many researchers have proved that infection with a variety of helminth can ameliorate disease in murine model systems. Thus, helminth-evoked Th2 events were shown to improve disorders in which Th1 events predominated. This raised the question, 'Can this information be translated into therapies for autoimmune diseases in humans via actual infection, cell delivery or drug intervention?' In this review, we will present some experimental trails to treat autoimmune disorders through establishment of some parasitic infections.

[Intimal sarcoma of the inferior vena cava]. / Sarcome intimal de la veine cave inférieure.

INTRODUCTION: Primary sarcomas of the great vessels, that is, the aorta, pulmonary artery, and inferior vena cava, are rare. They can be classified according to the location of the sarcoma in the vessel wall and by their gross appearance. Most often they are leiomyosarcomas or fibrosarcomas. CASE: We report here a case of an intimal sarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Histological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis for this 17-year-old girl and distinguished it from leiomyosarcoma and angiosarcoma, both of which have better prognoses. DISCUSSION: Intimal sarcoma of the inferior vena cava is rare and difficult to diagnose before surgery or biopsy. Histologically, it is a poorly differentiated tumor with the worst prognosis among the primary vascular sarcomas. Pathologic findings and immunohistochemical staining are useful for a positive diagnosis.

[Hepatic alveolar hydatidosis in Morocco]. / Hydatidose alvéolaire hépatique au Maroc.

This report describes a case of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. To our knowledge it is the first documented report of human alveolar echinococcosis in Morocco. Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver is a relatively rare, severe chronic parasitic disease. It is characterized by slow-growing cysts that progressively invade and destroy the liver parenchyma like liver cancer. The discussion presents an update of the clinical, histologic, and therapeutic features of alveolar echinococcosis based on the findings in this case report and a review of the literature.

[Fibrous tumor of the pleura]. / Tumeur fibreuse localisée de la plèvre.

Pleural fibroma, or fibrous tumor of the pleura, is an uncommon entity which is characterized by slow proliferation of undifferentiated, intermediary or mature fibroblasts associated with collagen fibers forming a tumor stroma. We report a case in a 49-Year-old man who developed exercise-induced dyspnea and right chest pain. The thoracic CT scan revealed the presence of a mass in the right lung base composed of heterogeneous encapsulated tIssue. Tumor resection was performed leading to the histological diagnosis of pleural fibroma. Immunohistochemistry tests revealed positive vimetin and CD34, and negative cytokeratin uptake. These immunohistochemistry data contributed to the differential diagnosis with malignant pleural mesothelium. Pleural fibroma is a benign tumor in 80% of the cases. Prognosis is excellent. Local recurrence is exceptional and generally occurs after incomplete resection. Radial surgical treatment determines the prognosis and is required to prevent local recurrence. Other criteria of malignancy are not correlated with the clinical course of this type of tumor.

Hydatidose alveolaire hepatique au Maroc

This report describes a case of hep atic alveolar echinococcosis. To our knowledge it is the first documented rep o rt of human alveolar echinococcosis in Morocco. Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver is a relatively rare; severe chronic parasitic disease. It is ch a ra c t e ri zed by slow - growing cysts that progre s s ive ly invade and destroy the liver pare n chyma like liver cancer. The discussion presents an update of the clinical; histologic; and therapeutic features of alveolar echinococcosis based on the findings in this case report and a review of the literature

[Gallbladder tuberculosis associated with cholelithiasis]. / La tuberculose de la vésicule biliaire: quel rôle de la lithiase?

Tuberculosis of the gallbladder is rare, even in our country known for being an endemic area. The positive diagnosis depends on suspicion of tuberculosis, peroperative findings and histological examination. From a review of the literature, the physiopathology of this infection is discussed, emphasizing the role of lithiasis in the development of tuberculous lesions. The authors report a case of gallbladder tuberculosis in a female patient who presented with a clinical picture of chronic cholelithiasis. The diagnosis of gallbladder tuberculosis was reached only after surgery and proven by histopathology. In our case, the presence of stones associated with non specific inflammatory alterations and possibly low resistance against tubercle bacillus, is believed to have been of importance for the development of the tuberculous infection.