Conservative management of cervical pregnancy: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Cervical ectopic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Treatment of this clinical condition is controversial. Previously, hysterectomy was the mainstay of treatment, but in the recent past various conservative management approaches have been applied to preserve fertility. We report 2 such cases in which conservative approach was implemented. CASES: Case 1 was an early, nonviable cervical pregnancy in which systemic methotrexate was used with success. Case 2 was a viable, advanced cervical pregnancy (at 11 weeks) in which a combination of uterine artery embolization and systemic methotrexate was used. Ultimately this patient required hysterectomy due to sudden massive hemorrhage on day 22 of intervention. CONCLUSION: On reviewing our results and the literature, we conclude that uterine artery embolization with methotrexate is effective in reducing the ectopic cervical mass. However, there is always a risk of hemorrhage, which can be treated by either repeat uterine artery embolization alone or uterine artery embolization followed by curettage. Hysterectomy should be the last resort if all conservative methods fail.

Sarcomatous Nodules Associated with Mucinous Neoplasms of Ovary: A Report of Two Cases.

Ovarian mucinous neoplasms (benign/borderline/malignant), one of the common surface epithelial tumours of ovary, at times can be associated with mural nodules. These mural nodules can either be sarcomatous, sarcoma like or anaplastic carcinomatous. The nodules can be single or multiple and appear solid, white to brown in color. Sarcomatous nodules tend to occur in older patients and microscopically are poorly circumscribed, comprising of a population of pleomorphic spindled cells. Two cases of sarcomatous nodules associated with ovarian mucinous neoplasm are being presented here.

An insight into the drug resistance profile & mechanism of drug resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Among the aetiological agents of treatable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Neissseria gonorrhoeae is considered to be most important because of emerging antibiotic resistant strains that compromise the effectiveness of treatment of the disease - gonorrhoea. In most of the developing countries, treatment of gonorrhoea relies mainly on syndromic management rather than the aetiological based therapy. Gonococcal infections are usually treated with single-dose therapy with an agent found to cure > 95 per cent of cases. Unfortunately during the last few decades, N. gonorrhoeae has developed resistance not only to less expensive antimicrobials such as sulphonamides, penicillin and tetracyclines but also to fluoroquinolones. The resistance trend of N. gonorrhoeae towards these antimicrobials can be categorised into pre-quinolone, quinolone and post-quinolone era. Among the antimicrobials available so far, only the third-generation cephalosporins could be safely recommended as first-line therapy for gonorrhoea globally. However, resistance to oral third-generation cephalosporins has also started emerging in some countries. Therefore, it has become imperative to initiate sustained national and international efforts to reduce infection and misuse of antibiotics so as to prevent further emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. It is necessary not only to monitor drug resistance and optimise treatment regimens, but also to gain insight into how gonococcus develops drug resistance. Knowledge of mechanism of resistance would help us to devise methods to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance against existing and new drugs. Such studies could also help in finding out new drug targets in N. gonorrhoeae and also a possibility of identification of new drugs for treating gonorrhoea.

Comparison of an in-house PCR assay, direct fluorescence assay and the Roche AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis kit for detection of C. trachomatis.

To improve the control of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in India, a rapid, specific and cost-effective method is much needed. We developed an in-house PCR assay by targeting a unique genomic sequence encoding a protein from the C. trachomatis phospholipase D endonuclease superfamily that produces an amplified fragment of 368 bp. The specificity of the primers was confirmed using genomic DNA from other sexually transmitted disease-causing and related micro-organisms and from humans. The assay was highly sensitive and could detect as low as 10 fg C. trachomatis DNA. Clinical evaluation of the in-house-developed PCR was carried out using 450 endocervical specimens that were divided in two groups. In group I (n=274), in-house PCR was evaluated against the direct fluorescence assay. The resolved sensitivity of the in-house PCR method was 97.22 % compared with 88 % for the direct fluorescent antibody assay. In group II (n=176), the in-house PCR was compared with the commercial Roche AMPLICOR MWP CT detection kit. The resolved sensitivity of the in-house PCR assay reported here was 93.1 % and the specificity was 97.46 %, making it a cost-effective alternative for routine diagnosis of genital infection by C. trachomatis. The method should facilitate early detection leading to better prevention and treatment of genital infection in India.

A Case of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome in Pregnancy.

Dubin-Johnson syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by recurrent episodes of jaundice and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. It exacerbates during pregnancy and needs to be differentiated from other causes of jaundice. A 30-year-old patient presented to us with jaundice in her fourth pregnancy. She had intermittent episodes of jaundice earlier, with exacerbation in each pregnancy during the second trimester. The diagnosis of Dubin-Johnson syndrome was made on detailed evaluation along with histopathological confirmation on liver biopsy tissue. The patient was managed conservatively and had a good perinatal outcome.

Coexisting leiomyomata peritonealis disseminata and ovarian leiomyoma.

Leiomyoma is the most common tumor seen affecting women mostly of reproductive age groups. It is composed of smooth muscle cells that are positive for smooth muscle actin on immunohistochemistry. Leiomyomata peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is characterized by nodules that stud the peritoneum. It is seen in association with hormone-producing ovarian tumors and coexisting leiomyomas of the uterus. Association with mesenteric leiomyomas has been reported. Ovarian leiomyomas are very rare tumors of the ovary and coexisting LPD with ovarian leiomyomas has not been reported before. We present this rare case of LPD and ovarian leiomyoma.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Primary Ovarian Mass in a Post-Operative Case of Meningioma and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The clinical presentation of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to ovary is extremely rare as well as confusing due to its close resemblance to primary ovarian tumors, especially clear cell carcinoma. We present a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosed in a 48-year-old female, who had renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney and right sphenoid wing meningioma of transitional type.

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor: a rare ovarian neoplasm. Case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor is a gonadal tumor of the sex cord-stromal type. It is a rare tumor comprising 0.1 to 0.5% of all ovarian tumors. Management of these cases poses a difficult therapeutic challenge. CASE: A 13-year-old girl presented with acute urinary retention, excessive hair growth and deepening of the voice. A mass the size of a 28-week gravid uterus was arising from the pelvis. Serum testosterone level was raised to 145.2 ng/dl. Computed tomography revealed a heterogeneously hypoechoic, solid cystic mass arising from the left adnexa. Left salpingo-oophorectomy was done. A histopathological diagnosis of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (intermediate, Meyers type II) was given. CONCLUSION: Patients with Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors present with signs of defeminization followed by masculinization. Age of the patient, stage of the disease and degree of tumor differentiation based on morphology are the most important factors to consider in the management of the case.

An insight into the drug resistance profile & mechanism of drug resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Among the aetiological agents of treatable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Neissseria gonorrhoeae is considered to be most important because of emerging antibiotic resistant strains that compromise the effectiveness of treatment of the disease - gonorrhoea. In most of the developing countries, treatment of gonorrhoea relies mainly on syndromic management rather than the aetiological based therapy. Gonococcal infections are usually treated with single-dose therapy with an agent found to cure > 95 per cent of cases. Unfortunately during the last few decades, N. gonorrhoeae has developed resistance not only to less expensive antimicrobials such as sulphonamides, penicillin and tetracyclines but also to fluoroquinolones. The resistance trend of N. gonorrhoeae towards these antimicrobials can be categorised into pre-quinolone, quinolone and post-quinolone era. Among the antimicrobials available so far, only the third-generation cephalosporins could be safely recommended as first-line therapy for gonorrhoea globally. However, resistance to oral third-generation cephalosporins has also started emerging in some countries. Therefore, it has become imperative to initiate sustained national and international efforts to reduce infection and misuse of antibiotics so as to prevent further emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. It is necessary not only to monitor drug resistance and optimise treatment regimens, but also to gain insight into how gonococcus develops drug resistance. Knowledge of mechanism of resistance would help us to devise methods to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance against existing and new drugs. Such studies could also help in finding out new drug targets in N. gonorrhoeae and also a possibility of identification of new drugs for treating gonorrhoea.

Two new novel point mutations localized upstream and downstream of the HMG box region of the SRY gene in three Indian 46,XY females with sex reversal and gonadal tumour formation.

The Y chromosome-specific gene SRY is one of the key genes involved in human sex determination. The SRY gene encodes a testis-specific transcription factor that plays a key role in sexual differentiation and development in males and is located on the distal region of the short arm of the Y chromosome. Mutations in SRY gene result in XY sex reversal and pure gonadal dysgenesis. SRY expression initiates a network of gene activity that transforms the undifferentiated gonad, genital ridge into testis. Mutations in the SRY gene have been considered to account for only 10-15% of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis cases, whereas the majority of the remaining cases may have mutation(s) in the SRY regulatory elements or other genes involved in the sex differentiation pathway. Patients both with gonadal dysgenesis and Y-chromosome presence are at high risk of developing gonadoblastoma. Using PCR, single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and automated DNA sequencing, we analysed the mutations in the SRY gene in three 46,XY sex reversal patients. Two patients demonstrated nucleotide substitution (A-->G) within the open reading frame just outside and upstream of the conserved DNA-binding motif called the high-mobility group (HMG) box, replacing glutamine at codon 57 with arginine. Altered SSCP patterns were also observed in these patients. Histological examination of gonads in patient 1 revealed the formation of gonadoblastoma. Patient 3 demonstrated A-->T substitution which replaces serine at codon 143 with cysteine, just outside but downstream of the HMG box. Results suggest the involvement of SRY gene in sex reversal which further supports the relationship between SRY alterations, gonadal dysgenesis and/or primary infertility.