Abundant Giant Cells Research Articles

Two New Species of Backusella (Mucorales, Mucoromycota) from Soil in an Upland Forest in Northeastern Brazil with an Identification Key of Backusella from the Americas.

During a survey of Mucorales from a forest located in Pernambuco state, Brazil, two new Backusella species were discovered and described based on morphological and molecular data (internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences). Both species were characterized as unbranched sporangiophores and sporangia with columellae of varied shapes forming. Multispored sporangiola were frequent, whereas unispored sporangiola were rare. URM 8395 forms sporangiophores that may support hyaline, slightly curved or circinate pedicels with multispored sporangiola at their apical portion, and abundant giant cells and chlamydospores. Columellae of sporangia are hyaline, conical (majority), or ellipsoidal with a truncate base, globose to subglobose or subglobose to conical, and, rarely, with slight medial constriction. URM 8427 does not form sporangiola from pedicels, giant cells are not observed, and columellae of sporangia are globose to subglobose, cylindrical with a truncate base, some with a slight constriction, applanate, obovoid, ellipsoidal, or, rarely, conical. Some columellae may have one side more swollen than the other and some are arranged obliquely on the sporangiophores. Sterile sporangia may or may not be formed on short sporophores. The detailed description and illustration of both novel species as well as an identification key for Backusella from the Americas are provided.

Tuberculosis in free-ranging and captive wild animals: Pathological and molecular diagnosis with histomorphological differentiation of granulomatous lesions

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious zoonotic threat, impacting the human-livestock-wildlife interface globally. Here, we evaluated the status and histomorphological differentiation of TB lesions in 89 morbid cases of wild animals (bovids, cervids, carnivores, non-human primates, and pachyderms) in India. Histomorphological and molecular studies were done using Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas cultural isolation was performed on selected samples. A total of 32 (35.95%) cases were confirmed as TB, comprising of 12 carnivores, 09 bovids, 06 cervids, 04 non-human primates, and a pachyderm. The TB lesions in the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes varied from the large-sized caseous nodules filled with dry cheesy material in bovids and cervids to variable-sized cavitations containing liquefied caseum in carnivores' lungs. The lungs, livers, and spleens of non-human primates exhibited small to medium-sized nodules. Histologically, lesions were divided into four categories (Types I, II, III, and IV) based on the extent of necrosis, the presence of mineralization, giant cells, and fibrous encapsulation. Extensive caseous necrosis with calcification, abundant giant cells, and thick fibroblastic encapsulation were consistent findings in the lungs, livers, and lymph nodes of bovids and cervids, whereas airway impaction with cellular exudate containing a teeming number of acid-fast bacilli and, at times, alveolar rupture leading to cavity formation was present in the lungs of carnivores. Absence of calcification and fibrous encapsulation was recorded in lungs of non-human primates. Immunohistochemical labelling with anti-early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) antibodies showed mild, moderate, and intense positive reactions in type II and III, type I, and type IV granulomatous lesions, respectively. Molecular detection by PCR revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (12 carnivores, 02 non-human primates and 01 pachyderm), M. bovis (02 cervids and 01 bovid) and M. orygis (02 cervids and 01 bovid). Cultural isolation confirmed M. tuberculosis in 03 carnivores and M. orygis in 02 cervids and 01 bovid. Our findings imply that TB is quite prevalent in the wildlife of India and there are considerable differences in the histomorphological lesions induced by distinct Mycobacterium species in different wild animals. The circulation of TB organisms in wild animals warrants a strict surveillance programme to identify the carrier status of these animals so that effective TB control strategies can be formulated to prevent spillover and spillback incidences at the human-livestock-wildlife interface.

Circulation: Clinical Summaries

<i>Circulation:</i> Clinical Summaries

Brown tumor with fluid-fluid levels in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism: radiological findings

We report a case of a brown tumor with fluid-fluid levels in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism. A 19-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of pain in the left pubic region. The laboratory data showed elevated serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone, confirming the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Plain radiography and computed tomography (CT) showed an expansile lytic lesion of the superior ramus of the left pubis. The cortex was thinned. On magnetic resonance (MR) images, the lesion was solid and cystic. The solid area of the lesion showed heterogeneous low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous low to high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The cystic area showed several fluid-fluid levels on T2-weighted images. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images after administration of Gd-DTPA showed marked, early enhancement of the solid area of the lesion. A delayed image showed prolonged enhancement of the solid area and enhancement of the septa and walls of the cystic area. Histopathology of a biopsy specimen showed fibroblastic proliferation, abundant giant cells, and focal hemosiderin deposition, which supported the diagnosis of a brown tumor. After removing the parathyroid adenoma, the brown tumor regressed and became sclerotic on radiographs.

Giant-cell Tumor

Giant-cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive primary bone tumor that requires surgical management. Most giant-cell tumors initially are demonstrated on radiographs as distal, subarticular, geographic osteolytic lesions. Abundant giant cells on histology are reactive secondary to a neoplastic fibroblast-like stromal cell. Giant cells are present in many neoplastic and non-neoplastic bone lesions; therefore the diagnosis of giant-cell tumors requires correlation of clinical, imaging, and pathologic data to exclude other lesions that demonstrate a similar histologic pattern. A small number of giant-cell tumors result in lung lesions, many of which have benign histology, can be treated by wedge resection, and do not affect long-term outcome. After adequate surgical curettage and the use of intraoperative surgical adjuvants, recurrence rates of approximately 10% are reported.

Subcutaneous and intramuscular implantation of sepiolite-collagen complexes

The tissue response after subcutaneous or intramuscular implantation of sepiolite-collagen complexes has been studied. These implants form a continuous three-dimensional matrix, showing a fibrous and rough surface topography. The host tissue response against the collagen-sepiolite complexes is a foreign-body reaction, focally intense, with abundant giant cells, typical of resorbable biomaterials. Sepiolite-collagen complex (SC) appears to be well tolerated and almost entirely resorbed within most of the experimental lesions. Sepiolite-collagen complex cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (SCG) demonstrates a significantly greater resistance to biodegradation than the non-cross-linked product. The anti-bovine collagen antibody levels in the sera of implanted rats were studied. The subcutaneous implantation of SC complexes induces a low immunological reaction, while it is almost negligible for the SCG ones.

Foreign-body reactions to fracture fixation implants of biodegradable synthetic polymers

Biodegradable rods of polyglycolide or lactide-glycolide copolymer were used in the internal fixation of a variety of fractures and osteotomies in 516 patients. A clinically manifest foreign-body reaction occurred in 41 patients (7.9%), producing a fluctuant swelling at the implantation site after an average of 12 weeks. Spontaneous sinus formation or surgical drainage yielded a sterile exudate containing liquid remnants of the degrading implants. After prompt drainage this discharge subsided within three weeks. Histological examination showed a typical nonspecific foreign-body reaction with abundant giant cells both in patients with the reaction and in some patients with an uneventful clinical course. The factors determining the nature of the reaction were probably related to the local capacity of the tissues to clear the polymeric debris. The reactions did not influence the clinical or radiographic results, but recognition of the incidence and the features of the reaction is necessary in view of the increasing use of such implants.

Peripheral giant cell granuloma. Clinicopathologic study of 224 new cases and review of 956 reported cases

The clinical and histopathological features of 224 new cases of peripheral giant cell granuloma were studied. In addition, the data from 956 previously reported cases in the literature were evaluated and compared with the present series. Females were found to be more commonly affected than males. All age groups were found to be affected with a relative predilection from 40 to 60 years of age. The mandible was more often affected than the maxilla. Clinically, the lesions were red in color, had a smooth surface and were rubbery or with a soft consistency. The most characteristic histologic features included a non-encapsulated highly cellular mass with abundant giant cells, inflammation, interstitial hemorrhage, hemosiderin deposits, mature bone or osteoid.

A study of the reaction of human tissue to proplast

The femoral stems of Thompson prostheses coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene/carbon fiber composite (proplast) were studied using conventional histological examination, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis in "successful" firm implants and in a "loose" clinically unsuccessful implant. Ingrowth was found throughout the coatings of the successful prostheses. In the most firmly fixed prosthesis the ingrowth consisted of fibrous tissue with abundant giant cells; however, no bone ingrowth was detected. There was less composite pore infilling in the unsuccessful implant. From both clinical, radiological and the studies described above, it is concluded that fibrous tissue ingrowth was a secondary stabilizing phenomenon in the proplast-coated prostheses studied.