Exophytic condyloma: are they as benign as we think?

AIM: As the understanding of anal dysplasia continues to develop, controversy remains regarding treatment of these lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lesion type (flat vs exophytic) and the association between morphology and dysplasia. METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected pathological database of patients > 17 years old who underwent operative excision/biopsies for presumed anal condyloma or dysplasia from 2009 to 2018. The analysis includes comparisons between patient factors, phenotype and grade of dysplasia. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients had 423 lesions. The mean age of the study population was 48.2 years. 62.3% were men and 46.4% of patients were black. 47.8% of patients were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and 39.1% were men who have sex with men (MSM). There were 176 (41.6%) flat lesions and 234 (55.3%) exophytic lesions. Exophytic lesions were 2.5-fold more likely to be associated with a higher grade of dysplasia than flat lesions (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.09-6.32). Neither lesion type nor dysplasia severity was associated with human papillomavirus, lesion location or patient characteristics, including race, MSM or HIV status. DISCUSSION: Exophytic lesions were more than twice as likely to have advanced dysplasia compared with flat lesions. A clearer understanding of the association between gross lesion appearance and dysplasia will allow more appropriate counselling of patients and the development of better screening and treatment guidelines for anal condylomata and dysplasia.

Cleft lift procedure for pilonidal disease: technique and perioperative management.

Pilonidal disease is a common condition affecting young patients. It is often disruptive to their lifestyle due to recurrent abscesses or chronic wound drainage. The most common surgical treatment, "cystectomy," removes useful tissue unnecessarily and does not address the etiology of the condition. Herein, we describe the etiology of pilonidal disease and our technique for definitive management of pilonidal disease using the cleft lift procedure. In this paper, we present our method of performing the cleft lift procedure for pilonidal disease including perioperative management and surgical technique. We have used the cleft lift procedure in nearly 200 patients with pilonidal disease, in both primary and salvage procedures settings. It has been equally successful in both settings with a high rate of success. It results in a closed wound with relatively minimal discomfort and straightforward wound care. We have described our current approach to recurrent and complex pilonidal disease using the cleft lift procedure. Once learned, the cleft lift procedure is a straightforward and highly successful solution to a chronic and challenging condition.

Mast cells mediate complement activation after acid aspiration.

A significant role for the alternative complement pathway in acid aspiration has been demonstrated by the observation that C3 but not C4 genetic knockout mice are protected from permeability edema. Using mast cell-deficient mice (W/Wv), we tested the hypothesis that mast cells mediate complement activation after acid aspiration. Tracheostomy tubes were placed in anesthetized mice and 2 mL/kg 0.1 N HCL was instilled in the trachea. After 4 h, extravasation of 125I-albumin was used to calculate lung vascular permeability. The serum alternative complement pathway hemolytic activity was examined, and lung immunohistochemistry was performed. Lung permeability in W/Wv mice was 62% less than that of mast cell sufficient (+/+) animals and similar to +/+ mice treated with the chymase inhibitor chymostatin (65% decrease). Treatment of +/+ mice with D-PRO2,D-TRP(7,9)-Substance P, an antagonist to the neuropeptide substance P, reduced injury by 66%. Serum complement hemolytic activity was intact in injured w/wv mice and +/+ animals treated with chymostatin or dpdt-sp, but was decreased to 65% in the injured untreated +/+ group. Alveolar C3 deposition was intense in injured untreated +/+ mice but absent in the other groups. We interpret these data to indicate that mast cells mediate complement activation, via chymase degranulation, after acid aspiration. This mast cell activity likely is regulated by the release of substance P.

Endothelial selectin blockade attenuates lung permeability of experimental acid aspiration.

BACKGROUND: A central role for the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in experimental acid aspiration has been demonstrated by the observation that PMN depletion reduced pulmonary vascular permeability. This study investigates the role of recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin fusion protein (rPSGL-Ig), a P- and E-selectin antagonist in moderating acid aspiration lung injury. METHODS: Tracheostomy tubes were placed in male C57BL/6 mice and 0.1 N HCl was instilled into the trachea at 2 mL/kg after intravenous injection of (125)I-albumin. After 4 hours the lung vascular permeability index (PI) and PMN accumulation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assessed. RESULTS: PI in neutropenic mice was 63% reduced compared with the untreated group and similar to the PI of mice treated with 1 mg/kg rPSGL-Ig before acid aspiration. PMN count of 19 +/- 5 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in rPSGL-Ig treated mice was significantly less than the untreated group PMN count of 586 +/- 72. The respective PI in mice treated with rPSGL-Ig (1/2) hour and 1 hour after acid aspiration was 45% and 39% reduced compared with the untreated group. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial selectin blockade is as effective as PMN depletion in moderating acid aspiration induced lung permeability. Delayed antiselectin therapy can decrease lung injury.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury is mediated by the membrane attack complex.

BACKGROUND: The dependence of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury on the classical complement pathway has been shown with the complement antagonist (sCR1) and complement-specific knockout mice. Using C5 deficient mice, we show that the membrane attack complex mediates local injury. METHODS: Mice underwent intestinal ischemia-reperfusion. Albumin leak and histologic evidence were compared in wildtype mice, wildtypes treated with sCR1, neutrophil-depleted wildtypes, C5-deficient mice, and C5-deficient mice reconstituted with wildtype serum. Neutrophil tissue levels in injured C5-deficient and wildtype intestines were compared. RESULTS: C5-deficient mice had a reduction in injury similar to mice treated with sCR1. Injury was restored by reconstitution with wildtype serum. Wildtype injury was unaffected by neutrophil depletion. Injured intestines of C5-deficient and wildtype mice had similar neutrophil levels. Immunohistochemistry of wildtype and reconstituted C5-deficient mice demonstrated injured intestinal epithelium although C5-deficient mice and sCr1-treated mice were similar to sham mice. CONCLUSIONS: C5-deficient animals are protected from local injury. Injury is unaffected by neutrophil depletion, and the presence of neutrophils in injured tissue is independent of C5. Local injury is C5 dependent, but the action of C5a on granulocytes is not required. Therefore the membrane attack complex mediates local injury.

Membrane attack complex of complement and neutrophils mediate the injury of acid aspiration.

A significant role for the alternative complement pathway in acid aspiration has been demonstrated by the observation that C3 genetic knockout mice are protected from injury. Utilizing C5-deficient mice, we now test the role of the terminal complement components in mediating injury. Lung permeability in C5-deficient mice was 64% less than in wild-type animals and was similar to wild-type mice treated with soluble complement receptor type 1, which gave a 67% protection. Injury was fully restored in C5-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type serum. The role of neutrophils was established in immunodepleted wild-type animals that showed a 58% protection. Injury was further reduced (90%) with the addition of soluble complement receptor type 1, indicating an additive effect of neutrophils and complement. Similarly, an additional protection was noted in C5-deficient neutropenic mice, indicating that neutrophil-mediated injury does not require C5a. Thus acid aspiration injury is mediated by the membrane attack complex and neutrophils. Neutrophil activity is independent of C5a.

Sialyl Lewis(x) hybridized complement receptor type 1 moderates acid aspiration injury.

The potentially enhanced anti-inflammatory effects of the sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x))-decorated version of soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) in moderating acid aspiration injury are examined. HCl was instilled in tracheostomy tubes placed in mice, and extravasation of (125)I-labeled albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was used to calculate the vascular permeability index (PI). Neutrophil counts in BAL fluid and immunohistochemistry were performed. PI was moderated by 82% after treatment with sCR1sLe(x) compared with 54% in sCR1-untreated mice (P < 0.05). Respective reductions in PI in mice treated 0.5 and 1 h after acid aspiration with sCR1sLe(x) of 70 and 57% were greater than the decreases in PI of 45 and 38% observed in respective sCR1-treated groups (P < 0.05). BAL fluid neutrophil counts in sCR1sLe(x)-treated mice were significantly less than those in sCR1-treated animals, which were similar to those in untreated mice. Immunohistochemistry stained for sCR1 only on the pulmonary vascular endothelium of sCR1sLe(x)- but not sCR1-treated mice. In conclusion, sCR1sLe(x) moderates permeability by antagonizing complement activation and neutrophil adhesion. Delayed complement and neutrophil antagonism significantly reduces injury.

Moderation of skeletal muscle reperfusion injury by a sLe(x)-glycosylated complement inhibitory protein.

The role of the sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x))-decorated version of soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) in moderating skeletal muscle reperfusion injury, by antagonizing neutrophil endothelial selectin interaction and complement activation, is examined. Mice underwent 2 h of hindlimb ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion. Permeability index (PI) was assessed by extravasation of 125I-labeled albumin. Neutrophil depletion and complement inhibition with sCR1 reduced permeability by 72% (PI 0.81 +/- 0.10) compared with a 42% decrease (PI 1.53 +/- 0.08) observed in neutropenic mice, indicating that part of the complement-mediated injury is neutrophil independent. sCR1sLe(x) treatment reduced PI by 70% (PI 0.86 +/- 0.06), an additional 20% decrease compared with sCR1 treatment (PI 1.32 +/- 0.08). Treatment with sCR1sLe(x) 0.5 and 1 h after reperfusion reduced permeability by 63% (PI 0.09 +/- 0.07) and 52% (PI 1.24 +/- 0.09), respectively, compared with the respective decreases of 41% (PI 1.41 +/- 0.10) and 32% (PI 1.61 +/- 0.07) after sCR1 treatment. Muscle immunohistochemistry stained for sCR1 only on the vascular endothelium of sCR1sLe(x)-treated mice. In conclusion, sCR1sLe(x) is more effective than sCR1 in moderating skeletal muscle reperfusion injury.

Recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 moderates local and remote injuries following experimental lower-torso ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: A central role for the polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) in skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion has been demonstrated by the observation that PMN depletion reduced local and remote pulmonary vascular permeability. This study investigated the role of recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin fusion protein (rPSGL-Ig), a P- and E-selectin antagonist, in moderating injury. METHODS: Mice underwent 2 h of hindlimb ischaemia and 3 h of reperfusion. Muscle and lung vascular permeability index (PI) was assessed by extravasation of (125)I-radiolabelled albumin. Lung myelo peroxidase (MPO) activity was also measured. RESULTS: In mice treated with rPSGL-Ig 1 mg/kg before reperfusion (n = 12) muscle PI was reduced by 40 per cent, whereas it was moderated by 20 per cent in animals treated 30 min after reperfusion (n = 15). Lung PI in mice treated with rPSGL-Ig before (n = 12) and 30 min after (n = 15) reperfusion was reduced by over 99 and 98 per cent respectively. Lung MPO activity in mice treated with rPSGL-Ig before (n = 10) and 30 min after (n = 12) reperfusion was reduced by 68 and 58 per cent respectively. Treatment with rPSGL-Ig 1 h after reperfusion, or with m20ek.Fc 1 mg/kg (n = 9; negative control for rPSGL-Ig which is inactive for selectin binding) before reperfusion failed significantly to moderate local or remote organ injury. CONCLUSION: Selectin blockade moderated local skeletal muscle and remote lung injury following hindlimb ischaemia--reperfusion. Significantly, delayed antiselectin therapy also decreased injury.

Neutrophil mediated remote organ injury after lower torso ischemia and reperfusion is selectin and complement dependent.

BACKGROUND: Lower torso ischemia and reperfusion leads to remote organ leukosequestration and injury. We now examine the intermediary role of selectins and complement in mediating lung and liver injury after hindlimb ischemia. METHODS: Mice underwent a 2-hour bilateral tourniquet hind-limb ischemia followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. RESULTS: Neutrophil depletion significantly decreased lung vascular permeability index (PI), measured by the extravasation of 125I-albumin, and liver injury as assessed by serum alanine aminotransferse levels. Lung PI and serum alanine aminotransferse levels were also reduced in mice treated with recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin fusion protein. Complement inhibition with soluble complement receptor type 1 decreased lung PI and serum alanine aminotransferse levels. C5-deficient mice exhibited a similar decrease in lung PI and liver injury. Lung and liver injury were restored in C5-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type serum. CONCLUSION: Remote organ injury after lower torso reperfusion is selectin and complement dependent.

Skeletal muscle reperfusion injury is mediated by neutrophils and the complement membrane attack complex.

The relative inflammatory roles of neutrophils, selectins, and terminal complement components are investigated in this study of skeletal muscle reperfusion injury. Mice underwent 2 h of hindlimb ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion. The role of neutrophils was defined by immunodepletion, which reduced injury by 38%, as did anti-selectin therapy with recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion protein. Injury in C5-deficient and soluble complement receptor type 1-treated wild-type mice was 48% less than that of untreated wild-type animals. Injury was restored in C5-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type serum, indicating the effector role of C5-9. Neutropenic C5-deficient animals showed additive reduction in injuries (71%), which was lower than C5-deficient neutrophil-replete mice, indicating neutrophil activity without C5a. Hindlimb histological injury was worse in ischemic wild-type and C5-deficient animals reconstituted with wild-type serum. In conclusion, the membrane attack complex and neutrophils act additively to mediate skeletal muscle reperfusion injury. Neutrophil activity is independent of C5a but is dependent on selectin-mediated adhesion.

Soluble P-selectin moderates complement-dependent reperfusion injury of ischemic skeletal muscle.

P-selectin is an adhesion molecule expressed on activated endothelial and platelet surfaces. The function of the short consensus repeats (SCRs) of P-selectin, homologous with the SCRs of complement regulatory proteins is largely unknown. In a model of murine hindlimb ischemia where local reperfusion injury is partly mediated by IgM natural antibody and classical complement pathway activation, we hypothesized that human soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) would moderate the complement component of the inflammatory response. Infusion of sP-sel supernatant or purified (p) sP-sel prepared from activated human platelets, reduced ischemic muscle vascular permeability by 48% and 43%, respectively, following reperfusion. Hindlimb immunohistochemistry demonstrated negligible C3 staining colocalized with IgM in these groups compared with intense staining in the untreated injured mice. In vitro studies of mouse serum complement hemolytic activity showed that psP-sel inhibited the classical but not alternative complement pathway. Flow cytometry demonstrated that psP-sel inhibited C1q adherence to sensitized red blood cells. From these data we conclude that sP-sel moderates skeletal muscle reperfusion injury by inhibition of the classical complement pathway.