A two-year hospital based study of Lung Cancer with reference to Histological subtypes, Demograhpics, risk factors and presentng stage

Lung cancer is one of the most common cause of mortality, highly attributed to an increase in tobacco use/ cigarette smoking. It ranks amongst the top 3 causes of cancer in Trinidad and Tobagonian men. The objective of this study is to the investigate the prevalence of Lung cancer in Trinidad and Tobago, its histological subtypes, demographics, predisposing risk factors and presenting stage. Additionally, comparison is made between current Lung cancer trends and those identified from previous studies. Our current findings is a more accurate representation of local trends, which can now provide foundational data that can be used to implement better approaches in the improvement of Lung cancer care in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prevalence, clinical features, and diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis among female STI clinic attendees in Trinidad.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is one of the most common pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in both men and women. Since there are no accurate prevalence data available on TV infection among women for Trinidad and Tobago and in the Caribbean region, there is a great need for research to study the dynamics of the infection and its transmission. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and diagnose TV infection in women attending the STI clinic and to provide recommendations for control and prevention of trichomoniasis in the community. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was designed after obtaining the informed consent. Following a routine clinical examination, vaginal swabs were collected - one for wet mount preparation, one for InPouch culture, and other two for OSOM rapid test/and fluorescent antibody testing. Cotton swabs and Dacron swabs were used for testing. RESULTS: A prevalence of 16% of trichomoniasis out of 422 females was recorded. In all, 65 (65%) were in the age range of 15-29 years and peak of 30% in the age group of 20-24 years. Vaginal discharge was a common complaint (83%); 75.6% had foul odor and only 9.8% had typical fishy odor. The majority of them (87%) had whitish-yellow colored discharge. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of trichomoniasis is significant in the female population attending STI clinic. Targeting high-risk age group between 15 and 29 years for control and prevention would be beneficial. Prompt and accurate diagnosis using appropriate laboratory test is recommended.

IgA nephropathy in the Caribbean case reports.

IgA nephropathy can be considered the most common cause of primary glomerulopathy in developed countries. There has been no report of cases of IgA nephropathy from Caribbean countries. The authors report five cases of IgA nephropathy from Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, diagnosed from biopsy studies. No cases were of African origin and some did not have the typical presentation associated with IgA nephropathy. Caribbean nephrologists are reminded that this entity can be seen in Caribbean patients and can only be diagnosed through immunofluorescence staining of renal biopsy specimen. This diagnosis is required for the proper management of patients with glomerular disease, particularly when there may be progression to end stage renal failure as can occur in up to twenty per cent of patients with IgA nephropathy. Accurate diagnosis is important, since disease recurrence can be seen in the transplanted kidney, but this does not often lead to graft failure.

Erythroplasia of Queyrat with Zoon's balanitis: a diagnostic dilemma.

SUMMARY: Chronic erythematous lesions of the penis may result from a variety of underlying causes that form a part of differential diagnosis. They are difficult to diagnose only upon clinical examination and may necessitate performing a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and also identify the coexisting disease. We report a case of erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) with Zoon's balanitis and discuss the classification of the lesion through the analysis of overlapping histological features. A middle-aged uncircumcised man presented with two long-standing erythematous prepucial penile lesions unresponsive to antibiotics. Biopsy performed to establish the diagnosis revealed non-invasive severe dysplastic changes in the epithelium that is typical of EQ. Subepithelial histological features were characteristic of Zoon's balanitis. The extent and nature of inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis described in the literature is quite varied in EQ and in the spectrum of non-cicatricial balanoposthitis. The overlap of histological findings could result in the diagnostic dilemma of a coexistent lesion, as described in this case report.

Rare case of fetal gastroschisis with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs.

Gastroschisis is a rare anomaly and is usually not associated with any other congenital anomalies. The embryology of gastroschisis and omphalocele remains a matter of speculation. Incidences of gastroschisis are particularly high among pregnancies in very young women. The present case is reported because of its rare association with the condition of gastroschisis, disrupted omphalocele, with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs, as well as imperforate anus with distal rectal atresia.

Rare case of fetal gastroschisis with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs.

Gastroschisis is a rare anomaly and is usually not associated with any other congenital anomalies. The embryology of gastroschisis and omphalocele remains a matter of speculation. Incidences of gastroschisis are particularly high among pregnancies in very young women. The present case is reported because of its rare association with the condition of gastroschisis, disrupted omphalocele, with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs, as well as imperforate anus with distal rectal atresia.

Evaluation of wound healing activity of Vanda roxburghii R.Br(Orchidacea): a preclinical study in a rat model.

The extract of Vanda roxburghii was administered topically to rats at a dose of 150mgkg(-1) day(- 1) for 10 days and was studied for its effect on wound healing, using the excision wound model. A 60 per cent reduction in wound diameter was observed in the test group rats receiving the extract compared to controls (48 per cent). Significant increases in wet and dry granulation tissue weights (P < .001), hydroxyproline (P < .001), and hexosamine (P < .003) contents were detected. An increase in protein content was also detected in the test group (P > .05, ns). These findings are consistent with wound healing at cellular levels. The pro-healing action may be attributed either to increased collagen deposition or to better alignment and maturation or both. The test wounds (extract-treated wounds) were, on average, fully healed by the 13th day, whereas the control group healed, on average, by the 20th day. These data suggest that the extract of Vanda roxburghii administered topically has wound-healing potential in rats.

Evaluation of wound healing activity of Vanda roxburghii R.Br(Orchidacea): a preclinical study in a rat model.

The extract of Vanda roxburghii was administered topically to rats at a dose of 150mgkg(-1) day(- 1) for 10 days and was studied for its effect on wound healing, using the excision wound model. A 60% reduction in wound diameter was observed in the test group rats receiving the extract compared to controls (48%). Significant increases in wet and dry granulation tissue weights (P < .001), hydroxyproline (P < .001), and hexosamine (P < .003) contents were detected. An increase in protein content was also detected in the test group (P > .05, ns). These findings are consistent with wound healing at cellular levels. The pro-healing action may be attributed either to increased collagen deposition or to better alignment and maturation or both. The test wounds (extract-treated wounds) were, on average, fully healed by the 13th day, whereas the control group healed, on average, by the 20th day. These data suggest that the extract of Vanda roxburghii administered topically has wound-healing potential in rats.

Evaluation of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, and c-erbB-2 in carcinoma of the breast in Trinidadian women.

One hundred and three consecutive cases of breast cancer in Trinidadian women were evaluated for steroid receptor status and c-erbB-2 receptor along with conventional parameters including age, ethnicity, tumour size, histological type and grade, and lymph node status: The molecular markers were studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin sections. Tumour size > 2 cm was seen in 60% of the cases. Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and c-erbB-2 showed 54%, 46% and 63% positivity, respectively. There was no correlation between c-erbB-2 and steroid receptors. Forty-one per cent of cases showed double negativity for steroid receptors (ER-/PR-). No correlation was found between the markers and conventional parameters except for a negative correlation with the tumour grade. The high percentage of c-erbB-2 positivity and the high proportion of steroid receptor negativity suggest a need for studies on adjuvant therapy. Integration of selected markers with conventional parameters could help define subgroups for treatment and prognosis.

Evaluation of Oestrogen and Progesterone Receptors and c-erbB-2 in Carcinoma of the breast in Trinidadian Women

One hundred and three consecutive cases of breast cancer in Trinidadian women were evaluated for steriod receptor status and c-erB-2 receptor along with conventional parameters including age, ethnicity, tumour size, histological type and grade, and lymph node status: The molecular markers were studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin sections. Tumour size > 2 cm was seen in 60 percent of the cases. Oestrogen receptor (ER), progestrone receptor (PR) and c-erbB-2 showed 54 percent, 46 percent, and 63 percent positivity, respectively. There was no correlation between c-erbB-2 and steroid receptors. Forty-one percent of cases showed double negativity for steriod receptors (ER-/PR-). No correlation was found between the markers and conventional parameters except for a negative correlation with the tumour grade. The high percentage of c-erbB-2 positivity and the high propotion of steriod receptor negativity suggest a need for studies on adjuvant therapy. Integration of selected markers with conventional parameters could help define sub-groups for treatment and pragnosis (AU)

Evaluation of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, and c-erbB-2 in carcinoma of the breast in Trinidadian women

One hundred and three consecutive cases of breast cancer in Trinidadian women were evaluated for steroid receptor status and c-erbB-2 receptor along with conventional parameters including age, ethnicity, tumour size, histological type and grade, and lymph node status: The molecular markers were studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin sections. Tumour size > 2 cm was seen in 60 of the cases. Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and c-erbB-2 showed 54, 46 and 63 positivity, respectively. There was no correlation between c-erbB-2 and steroid receptors. Forty-one per cent of cases showed double negativity for steroid receptors (ER-/PR-). No correlation was found between the markers and conventional parameters except for a negative correlation with the tumour grade. The high percentage of c-erbB-2 positivity and the high proportion of steroid receptor negativity suggest a need for studies on adjuvant therapy. Integration of selected markers with conventional parameters could help define subgroups for treatment and prognosis.

Two Afro-Trinidadian siblings with end-stage renal disease

The case histories of two Afro-Trinidadian brothers aged 8 and 11 years who developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are presented. Neither had had cause in the past to seek medical attention for any renal-related illness. At presentation both had anaemia, growth failure and other clinical and laboratory evidence of ESRD. Kidney histology in one child was consistent with familial juvenile nephronophthisis (NPH). This is common cause of ESRD in children in other countries but it has not been recognized previously in Trinidadian and other West Indian children, and should be considered as a possible aetiology in West Indian children presenting with renal failure.(AU)