Frequent Histopathological Finding Research Articles

HPB SO73 - Histopathological Patterns in Emergency and Elective Cholecystectomy

Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the most frequently performed general surgical procedures. In the United Kingdom, gallbladder specimens are routinely submitted for histopathological analysis to detect occult pathologies, such as carcinoma in situ and early-stage carcinomas. This study aims to assess the results of routine histopathological examination of LC specimens. Method A prospectively collected database of all LCs and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) performed between August 2022 and June 2024 was analysed. The database was populated from a single benign biliary center by two specialized biliary surgeons. Electronic case notes were analysed for the demographics, indication(s), operative findings and the histopathological results. All gallbladder specimens were sent for histopathology analysis, irrespective of their gross appearance. Results Of the 201 eligible patients, 164 patients had histopathology results available. Median age was 56 years (IQR 41-66) and 100 (61%) were female. 72 (43.9%) were emergency cases. 48 (29.3%) had cholecystectomy, 70 (42.7%) also had intraoperative cholangiogram and 46 (28%) had LCBDE. Conclusion Chronic calculus cholecystitis was the most frequent histopathological finding, followed by acute on chronic cholecystitis and gangrenous acute cholecystitis. Dysplasia was identified in 1.8% of patients, warranting multidisciplinary team discussion. This study underscores the significance of routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy, as early incidental detection of dysplasia and carcinoma can modify postoperative management and improve patient outcomes.

Expanding management strategies for cervical precancerous lesions in resource-limited settings: insights from a training center in a district hospital in Ghana

BackgroundCervical cancer continues to disproportionately burden women in low/middle-income countries like Ghana. We examined treatment patterns and histopathological outcomes among women screened using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and/or mobile colposcopy who subsequently underwent thermal ablation, large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), or cold knife conization at the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre, Battor. We also assessed the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ (CIN2+) or micro-invasive disease and their associated factors for women who underwent excisional treatments. The treatment choices for cervical precancerous lesions suitable for resource-limited settings have also been described from the perspective of a center that manages a heterogenous population.MethodsWe conducted an analysis of secondary data collected between June 2016 and June 2023 among women with positive findings on VIA or mobile colposcopy who subsequently underwent thermal ablation or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of histopathology outcomes, including no dysplasia, CIN1 − 3, and micro-invasive disease, were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Factors associated with histopathological findings were modeled using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsFor the study period, 14 (10.6%) of the total 132 participants underwent cervical lesion treatment at outreach locations, all via thermal ablation. The remaining 118 (89.4%) were treated at the Catholic Hospital, Battor using LLETZ (n = 66, 55.9%), thermal ablation (n = 51, 43.2%), and cold knife conization (n = 1, 0.9%). Among 65 women with histopathology reports, the most frequent histopathological finding was no dysplasia (47.7%; 95% CI, 35.1 − 60.5), followed by CIN2 and CIN3 (20.0%; 95% CI, 11.1 − 31.8 each), CIN1 (7.7%; 95% CI, 2.5 − 17.0) and micro-invasion (4.6%; 95% CI, 1.0 − 12.9). Those with micro-invasive disease were significantly older than those with CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3 (p = 0.036, 0.022, 0.009, respectively), but not significantly older than those who showed no dysplasia (p = 0.088). For each unit increase in age, the likelihood of CIN3 was relatively significantly reduced compared to no dysplasia (crude relative risk ratio [RRR] = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86 − 0.99). This association was neither observed with the remaining histopathological groups nor for parity and persisted after controlling for parity (adjusted RRR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85 − 0.99; p = 0.025).ConclusionThis paper largely demonstrates treatment options available to women and practitioners in LMICs. The high combined prevalence of high-grade precancerous lesions and micro-invasive disease underscores the need to increase cervical cancer awareness that would enhance screening attendance and hasten efforts at moving from opportunistic to organized screening in Ghana. This will enhance early cervical lesion detection and treatment, while simultaneously re-evaluating and cutting down on unnecessary treatment.

A histopathological analysis of extrapulmonary lesions in fatal coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presents diverse clinical manifestations and multi-organ involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the extra-pulmonary histopathological patterns underpinning COVID-19-induced lesions in cardiac, hepatic, renal, brainstem, and splenic tissues. Materials and methodsThe research involved conventional forensic autopsies conducted between April 2020 and April 2021 on individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Tissues were processed and stained for histological examination. Differences in patients with and without diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) were evaluated. ResultsIn our study of 79 COVID-19 autopsies conducted on unvaccinated patients besides lung involvement, the patients had histological changes in at least two out of five (brain, heart, liver, kidney, and spleen) organs. Notable findings include hepatitis observed in 46.8 % of cases, 21.5 % with lobular hepatitis, and 41.8 % with liver steatosis. Additionally, 69.6 % exhibited acute tubular necrosis, and 55.7 % had varying degrees of splenic lymphocyte depletion. Almost 41 % of cases had pericardial effusion, 36.7 % myocarditis, 24.1 % myocardial infarction, and 12.7 % of cases had encephalitis. Acute tubular necrosis (78.6 %) was the most frequent histopathological finding observed in patients with DAD. Myocarditis was described in 45.9 % of the patients without DAD. DiscussionThe autopsy findings in our cohort of COVID-19 victims align with international scientific literature. Distinguishing viral-induced myocarditis, encephalitis, hepatitis, or systemic inflammatory syndrome remains challenging. ConclusionPost-mortem analysis identified lesions associated with SARS-CoV-2 in multiple organs, highlighting the systemic nature of the virus and emphasizing the need for continued research into organ-specific damage and long-term sequelae of COVID-19.

Pathological analysis and etiological assessment of pulmonary lesions and its association with pleurisy in slaughtered pigs

The intensification of pig farming has posed significant challenges in managing and preventing sanitary problems, particularly diseases of the respiratory complex. Monitoring at slaughter is an important control tool and cannot be overstated. Hence, this study aimed at characterizing both macroscopical and microscopical lesions and identifying the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo), and Pasteurella multocida (PM) associated with pleurisy in swine. For this, a selected slaughterhouse in São Paulo State underwent a thorough examination of carcasses on the slaughter line, followed by lung sampling. The carcasses and lungs underwent macroscopical examination and were classified according to the score of pleurisy and lung samples were allocated into five groups, being: G0: score 0 – no lesions; G1: score 1; G2: score 2; G3: score 3; and G4: score 4. In total, 217 lung fragments were collected, for the histopathological evaluation and detection of the following respiratory pathogens: APP, Mhyo, and PM by qPCR. The results demonstrated that Mhyo and APP were the most prevalent etiological agents (single and co-identification) in lung samples, in different scores of pleurisies, while bronchopneumonia and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) hyperplasia lesions were the most frequent histopathological findings. Positive correlations were found between the quantification of APP DNA with 1) the score of pleurisy (R=0.254); 2) with the score of lung consolidation in all lung lobes (R=0.181 to R=0.329); and 3) with the score of lung consolidation in the entire lung (R=0.389). The study brings relevant information regarding the main bacterial pathogens associated with pleurisy in pigs and helps with understanding the relationship between the abovementioned pathogens and their impact on the respiratory health of pigs.

Histopathological findings of inflammatory activity in patients with subclinical carditis

In patients with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis, active carditis is an often underdiagnosed condition. Rheumatic attacks promote the aggravation of existing lesions, leading to a deterioration of the patient’s clinical condition. Thus, reducing the morbidity and mortality of the disease depends, in part, on controlling relapses through secondary prophylaxis. Underdiagnosis is due in part to the occurrence of subclinical rheumatic attacks. This study was carried out with data from patients who were diagnosed with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis and who underwent cardiac surgery for valve replacement or repair, without clinical or laboratory evidence of rheumatic outbreak. A fragment of myocardium was sent for histopathological analysis. Data on the frequency of histopathological alterations compatible with a rheumatic outbreak were analyzed. After analysis, 80% of patients showed changes compatible with inflammatory activity. Of these, 87.5% had lymphocytic infiltrate; 25% had Aschoff’s nodules. The most frequent histopathological findings of chronic disease were myocardial hypertrophy in 56.7% of patients and fibrosis in 53.3%.

Piscine Orthoreovirus-1 (PRV-1) Has Been Present in Chilean Salmon Aquaculture since at Least 1994

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) caused by Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) was first described in farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile in 2011. However, as PRV induces long-lasting infections, it is not known when Chilean farmed salmon may have started to show PRV positivity. This study aimed to evaluate the presence/absence of PRV-1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded Atlantic salmon heart tissues (FFPE) cultured in Chile during 1992 and 1999. The most frequent histopathological findings in the 42 FFPE blocks were mild focal cardiomyocyte degeneration (57.1%) and a mild focal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate (21.4%) in the ventricular stratum spongiosum of the heart. One of the 42 heart samples analyzed by RT-qPCR was positive for PRV-1 (2.4%). All samples were negative for other viral and bacterial pathogens that can induce similar histological changes in the heart. Taken together, our results show that PRV-1 has been present in Chile—as a low-virulence genogroup—since at least 1994, 17 years before the first HSMI outbreak in 2011. Finally, archaeovirology can be a valid alternative to contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of diseases in aquaculture.

Kidney changes in lambs fed cactus pear varieties resistant to Dactylopius opuntiae as the only roughage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four varieties of cactus pear resistant to carmine cochineal as exclusive roughage for lambs on the biochemical, histopathological, and histomorphometric parameters of kidneys. Twenty-four castrated male crossbred lambs at eight months of age and an initial body weight of 21.0 ± 0.5kg were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six repetitions. The experimental treatments consisted of four diets containing Miúda cactus pear, IPA-Sertânia cactus pear, IPA-F21 cactus pear, or Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) cactus pear as the only roughage. Blood samples were collected every two weeks (14 d, 28 d, 42 d, and 56 d) to quantify serum urea and creatinine levels. After 72days of the introduction of the tested diets, the animals were slaughtered and fragments of the kidneys were collected for histological analysis. The serum urea level was higher in animals fed a diet based on the Miúda variety (49.38mg dL-1), and the serum creatinine levels were lower in the last two collections (P = 0.009). The most frequent histopathological findings in the kidneys were calcification, congestion, glomerular atrophy, presence of luminal cellular debris, and nephrosis, regardless of the cactus pear variety. The Miúda cactus pear and OEM cactus pear varieties caused more severe damage to the nephron components, while the varieties IPA F-21 and IPA-Sertânia caused less significant injuries. The use of IPA-Sertânia and IPA F-21 cactus pear varieties is suggested in lamb's diets, due to the lower impact on the renal parenchyma. However, there was no expressive impairment of renal function, and there was no difference between the cactus pear varieties tested in this study on the weight gain of the animals, and they can all be used to feed feedlot sheep.

Hepatocellular carcinomas in captive prosimians.

We performed a retrospective examination of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (primary and metastatic tumors) in 14 captive prosimians brought to the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in North Carolina State University over a period of 11 years (2003 to 2014) to characterize the tumors. These animals are endangered primates; a better understanding of the main fatal neoplasms is crucial. In addition to the histologic evaluation, an immunohistochemical study was also performed, using a hepatocyte marker (hepatocyte paraffin 1 [HepPar-1]) and 2 cholangiocyte markers (keratin 7 [K7] and keratin 19 [K19]), in an attempt to identify a specific profile for HCCs with metastatic behavior. Six of the 14 HCCs had pulmonary metastases. The most frequent histopathological findings were a trabecular pattern (14/14, 100%), presence of multinucleated cells (12/14, 85.7%), and foci of extramedullary hematopoiesis (9/14, 64.3%). The mitotic count was significantly higher in the metastatic HCCs (P < .05). HepPar-1 was detected in all primary and metastatic HCCs, with a strong intensity of staining. Labeling for K7 and K19 was positive in 12 HCCs (85.7%) and 1 HCC (7.1%), respectively. Contrary to the less aggressive HCCs, most of the metastatic HCCs (5/6) expressed K7 in more than 15% of cells. The percentage of K7-positive neoplastic hepatocytes was significantly higher in metastatic HCCs. This study suggests that K7 might be a prognostically relevant marker in HCCs of captive prosimians.

Histological Diagnosis of Ocular and Periocular Tuberculosis 1945 - 2020.

Ocular tuberculosis is a rare but important differential diagnosis for inflammatory conditions of all eye tissues, including the ocular surface and adnexa. Tissue diagnostics may prove challenging as some ocular tissues are difficult to biopsy and the detection of pathogens may be insensitive. We were interested in how many cases in the archive of the ophthalmopathological laboratory had been diagnosed with (peri)ocular tuberculosis since 1945. Retrospective analysis of historical records and specimens of the ophthalmopathology laboratory of the eye department at Freiburg university hospital. Systematic re-evaluation of available slides for presence of granuloma, necrosis, giant cells, acid fast bacteria, and chronic as well as acute inflammation, plus comparison of current and historic evaluations. In addition, we describe a recent case with tuberculoma of the iris. There were 50,418 records archived since 1945, of which 23 specimens taken from 22 patients had been diagnosed as (peri)ocular tuberculosis. Of these, 22 (96%) were archived and available for re-interpretation. Four specimens (17%) had been excised from children. The most common tissues were enucleated eye globes (10/23, 44%), followed by the lacrimal sac (5/23, 22%) and conjunctiva (2/23, 9%). The most frequent histopathological findings were granulomas (23/23, 100%), chronic inflammation (22/23, 96%), giant cells (21/23, 91%), and necrosis (14/23, 61%). An acute inflammatory response was found in 4/23 specimens (17%). Ziehl-Neelsen stains for acid-fast bacteria had been performed in five cases, of which three were positive (60%). The greatest discrepancy between current and historical findings related to the presence of necrosis (59% consensus). In other findings, the consensus was high (78 - 96%). In a recent case of a patient with wasting syndrome attributed to lymphoma, histopathological workup of an iris tumour led to the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Ocular tuberculosis is a rare but important histopathological differential diagnosis. In the available specimens, the classic finding of necrotizing inflammation was rarest and showed least consensus on histological re-evaluation. Other typical findings, such as giant cells and a predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate, are sometimes not found even with proven presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. They should not be considered essential in cases where there is strong clinical suspicion.

Histopathological Evaluationof Appendectomy Specimens in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To find out the histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens, negative appendectomy rate (NAR) and the association of gender and age groups which underwent negative appendectomies in our set up.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, from Jan to Aug 2017.&#x0D; Methodology: The records of 1050 patients were assessed for the relevant clinical history, age, gender and date of their presentation in hospital. The appendectomy specimens were classified as positive specimens which contained fecoliths, worms, granulomatous inflammation, foreign body reaction, mucocele, or appendiceal tumors. All the data were entered and analyzed in SPSS-21.&#x0D; Results: Among the 1050 patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis, 458 (43.6%) were cases of acute appendicitis followed by acute suppurative appendicitis 100 (9.5%) and fecolith 79 (7.5%) in appendiceal lumen. The negative appendectomy rate was calculated as 248 (23.6%). A significant association of normal appendices was found with female gender (p=0.002) and young age group (p=0.02).&#x0D; Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was the most frequent histopathological finding in our study. The negative appendectomy rate was significantly associated with the females of young age.

Do histopathological features correlate with systemic manifestations in dermatomyositis? Analysis of 42 skin biopsy specimens from 22 patients.

Understanding whether specific histopathologic features on skin biopsy are predictive of systemic associations in dermatomyositis (DM) would be useful to guide clinical screening. Through retrospective medical record search, clinical and laboratory findings of patients with DM were documented. Existing skin biopsy slides were re-reviewed blindly. Of all biopsy specimens (n=42), the most frequent histopathological finding was vacuolar interface dermatitis (95%). Other features included perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate (71%), increased dermal mucin (40%), vessel wall thickening (12%), follicular plugging (9.5%), and dermal sclerosis (7%). Neutrophilic infiltrate was observed in three biopsies from a patient with adalimumab-associated DM. Vasculitis was not observed. There was no statistically significant difference in the presence of any histopathological feature and that of various systemic manifestations (i.e., myopathy, interstitial lung disease [ILD] and malignancy). However, we observed that dense lichenoid infiltrate rather than pauci-inflammatory changes correlated with severe itching (p < 0.001). Patients with MDA-5 antibodies were significantly more likely to have vasculopathy than those without (p= 0.029*). No dermatopathologic feature was reliably predictive of myopathy, ILD, or malignancy. This finding implies that, regardless of histopathologic findings, patients should be screened for associated conditions as clinically indicated.

Epidemiologic profile and histopathological findings in Neotropical Primates during and after the yellow fever outbreak in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Yellow fever (YF) is a viral disease whose transmission involves non-human primates (NHP), mosquitoes, and humans. Between 2016 and 2018 occurred the largest YF outbreak in the last 100 years in Brazil. We analyzed epidemiologic profile and geographic distribution of epizootics and described most frequent histopathological findings in NHP that died during YF outbreak in the state of Espírito Santo. We consider 487 epizootics notifications registered at the State Health Department from January 2017 to July 2020. Throughout the state, 51 (65.4%) municipalities reported epizootics, with more cases in central and metropolitan areas. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were laboratory tests performed for diagnosis of yellow fever, with 160 (32.9%) positive results, 314 (64.5%) negative and 13 (2.7%) inconclusive. Histopathological findings were compared statistically between positive and negative animals for YF. The liver was the most affected organ. Hemorrhage, hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis, cholestasis and eosinophilic degeneration were statistically more frequent in positive animals. Tubular necrosis, nephritis, congestion and lymphoid hypoplasia on spleen were statistically correlated to positive animals. Knowledge of pathogenic aspect of YF is necessary to guarantee that samples from Neotropical primates are properly used for YF surveillance purposes, to ensure appropriate diagnoses and subsequent public health responses.

Altered Expression of Par3, aPKC-λ, and Lgl1 in Hippocampus in Kainic Acid-Induced Status Epilepticus Rat Model

Introduction: Mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) is a frequent histopathological finding in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and is involved in the pathology of TLE. However, molecular signals underlying MFS remain unclear. Partitioning defective 3(Par3), atypical protein kinase C-λ(aPKC-λ), and lethal giant larvae 1(Lgl1) were involved in the neuronal polarity and axon growth. The potential roles of those proteins in MFS and epileptogenesis of TLE were investigated.Material and Methods: The epileptic rat models were established by intracerebroventricular injection of kainic acid (KA). The degree of MFS was measured by using Timm staining, Neuronal loss and the expression aPKC-λ, Par3, and Lgl1 in hippocampus were measured by using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.Results: The neuronal loss in CA3 region was observed from 3 days to 8 weeks, while the neuronal loss in the hilar region was observed from 1 to 8 weeks in experimental group. The Timm score in the CA3 region in experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group from 2 to 8 weeks. Compared with control group, the expressions of Par3 and Lgl1 were upregulated and the expression of aPKC-λ was downregulated in the experimental groups. Positive correlation between the Par3 expression and Timm scores, and the negative correlation between the aPKC-λ expression and Timm scores in CA3 region were discovered in experimental group.Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that aPKC-λ, Par3, and Lgl1 may be involved in MFS and in the epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Late Cardiac Pathology in Severe Covid-19. A Postmortem Series of 30 Patients.

The role of SARS-CoV-2 as a direct cause in the cardiac lesions in patients with severe COVID-19 remains to be established. Our objective is to report the pathological findings in cardiac samples of 30 patients who died after a prolonged hospital stay due to Sars-Cov-2 infection. We performed macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the hearts of 30 patients; and detected Sars-Cov-2 RNA by RT-PCR in the cardiac tissue samples. The median age of our cohort was 69.5 years and 76.6% were male. The median time between symptoms onset and death was 36.5 days. The main comorbidities were arterial hypertension (13 patients, 43.3%), dyslipidemia (11 patients, 36.7%), cardiovascular conditions (8 patients, 26.7%), and obesity (8 patients, 26.7%). Cardiovascular conditions included ischemic cardiopathy in 4 patients (13.3%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2 patients (6.7%) and valve replacement and chronic heart failure in one patient each (3.3%). At autopsy, the most frequent histopathological findings were coronary artery atherosclerosis (8 patients, 26.7%), left ventricular hypertrophy (4 patients, 13.3%), chronic epicardial inflammation (3 patients, 10%) and adipose metaplasia (2 patients, 6.7%). Two patients showed focal myocarditis, one due to invasive aspergillosis. One additional patient showed senile amyloidosis. Sars-Cov-2 RNA was detected in the heart of only one out of 30 patients, who had the shortest disease evolution of the series (9 days). However, no relevant cardiac histological alterations were identified. In present series, cardiac pathology was only modest in most patients with severe COVID-19. At present, the contribution of a direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on cardiac lesions remains to be established.

Endoscopic and Histopathological Findings of the Esophagus, Stomach, and Duodenum in Patients with Crohn's Disease from a Reference Center in Bahia, Brazil.

(1) The aim of the present study was to describe the endoscopic and histopathological findings in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in patients with Crohn’s disease. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients receiving treatment from the inflammatory bowel disease outpatient clinic. Esophagogastroduodenoscopies with biopsies of the stomach and proximal duodenum were performed. Presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria was assessed by Giemsa staining. (3) Results: We included 58 patients. Erosive esophagitis was identified in 25 patients (43.1%), gastritis was diagnosed in 32 patients (55.2%) and erosive duodenitis was found in eight (13.8%). The most frequent histopathological finding in the H. pylori-positive group was increased inflammatory activity in the gastric body and antrum, with a predominance of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells. In turn, the most frequent finding in the H. pylori-negative group was chronic inflammation with predominance of mononuclear cells. Focally enhanced gastritis was identified in four patients (6.9%), all of whom were negative for H. pylori. Granulomas were not observed. H. pylori infection was present in 19 patients (32.8%). (4) Conclusions: Nonspecific endoscopic and histological findings were frequent in patients with Crohn’s disease. Focally enhanced gastritis was uncommon and observed only in H. pylori-negative patients. The time from the diagnosis, patient age, and therapy in use may have influenced the nondetection of epithelioid granuloma.

Feline Morbillivirus Infection in Domestic Cats: What Have We Learned So Far?

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was identified for the first time in stray cats in 2012 in Hong Kong and, since its discovery, it was reported in domestic cats worldwide. Although a potential association between FeMV infection and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) has been suggested, this has not been proven, and the subject remains controversial. TIN is the most frequent histopathological finding in the context of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is one of the major clinical pathologies in feline medicine. FeMV research has mainly focused on defining the epidemiology, the role of FeMV in the development of CKD, and its in vitro tropism, but the pathogenicity of FeMV is still not clear, partly due to its distinctive biological characteristics, as well as to a lack of a cell culture system for its rapid isolation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of FeMV infection, including genetic diversity of FeMV strains, epidemiology, pathogenicity, and clinicopathological findings observed in naturally infected cats.

Infectious Bronchitis Virus Prevalence, Characterization, and Strain Identification in California Backyard Chickens.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes significant losses in the poultry industry throughout the world. Here we characterize the lesions of infectious bronchitis (IB) and IBV prevalence and identify the circulating strains in small flocks in California. Backyard chickens (BYCs) submitted to the Davis (Northern California; NorCal) and San Bernardino (Southern California; SoCal) branches of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System from January through March 2019 were included in the study. Trachea, kidney, and cecal tonsils were collected for real-time reverse transcriptase (qRT)-PCR, histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and sequence analysis. A total of 50 chickens out of 169 submissions tested positive for IBV by qRT-PCR. Of these, 16% (20/123) were from NorCal and 65% (30/46) from SoCal laboratory. The cecal tonsil was the most frequently positive tissue by qRT-PCR and IHC. Lymphoplasmacytic tracheitis was the most frequent histopathologic finding in 24 of 39 birds, while the kidney showed interstitial nephritis, tubular necrosis, tubular dilation, and/or gout in 14 of 43 chickens. Infectious bronchitis virus played a primary role or a synergistic effect in the mortality of chickens that succumbed to other infectious diseases. The sequences of IBV detected in 22 birds were analyzed, and 14 strains were most similar to CA1737. One strain each matched Conn46, Cal99, and ArkDPI, and the remaining five did not have a substantial match to any available reference strains. The findings in this study indicate that small flocks can be reservoirs of IBV and might facilitate evolution of new variants as well as reversion of attenuated strains to virulence.

COVID-19 Associated ARDS Lung's Histopathological Findings:&amp;nbsp;A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: COVID-19 is a relatively new disease that can progress to ARDS, respiratory failure and death. Identifying specific morphological lung injury in COVID-19 patients, can give a better understanding of subjacent physiopathology.Our aim is to provide a rigorous summary of the evidence available of lung histological findings in COVID-19 patients.Methods:Eligibility criteria: Any quantitative design, reporting raw data of lung histological findings in COVID-19 patients. Reviews, guidelines, other organs’ histological features were excluded.Information sources: The centralized repository L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence), PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LitCovid, WHO Covid-19 Database, and medRxiv. The search covered the period from January 1, 2020 until April 3, 2021.Risk of bias: was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools, by four observers and consensus.Synthesis of Results: Each and every lung histopathological finding was extracted. Frequencies for each finding were calculated, and then data from the two most frequent findings were pooled by meta-analysis using a Der Simmonian-Liard model with random-effects model. Heterogeneity was measured.Results:Included studies: From 252 references, 69 articles fulfilled inclusion criteria, summarizing 594 subjects.Synthesis of results: Demographic: 381 men, 179 female and 34 not specified. Mean age in case series was 87.57 years (SD+ 1.57), and in case reports 61.85 years (SD + 1.51). Fourteen case series (45.16%), and 21 case reports (55.26%) presented low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of proportions showed DAD in 0.62 (CI 95% 0.51-0.72), I2 59% (pDiscussion: The limitations of the evidence included in the review was a relative selection bias for included subjects. Interpretation: Early DAD was the most frequent histopathological finding in lung samples from severe COVID-19 patients. Registration Details: Study’s registration number PROSPERO CRD4202018936.Funding Information: There was no source of funding.Declaration of Interests: We all declare no conflict of interest.

Outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in African penguins Spheniscus demersus.

Cryptosporidium spp. are parasitic intracellular protozoa that infect the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts of vertebrates. The disease affects many different avian species across all continents, and >25 species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium have been documented infecting birds. We report on an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in African penguin Spheniscus demersus chicks admitted to a rehabilitation center in South Africa from February 2012 to October 2013. Eighteen cases were confirmed through histopathology. The most frequent clinical signs were regurgitation (78%), dyspnea (72%), decreased weight gain or weight loss (72%), and lethargy (50%). Clinical signs began 8-46 d after hatching or admission (median: 13 d), and death followed 1-41 d after the onset of clinical signs (median: 13.5 d). The most frequent necropsy findings were stomach distended with undigested food or gas (78%), mildly reddened lungs (56%), spleen petechial hemorrhage (44%), and kidney congestion (39%). The most frequent histopathological findings were necrotic bursitis (89%), necrotic enteritis (83%), and bursal atrophy (67%). Small round or oval basophilic bodies (3-5 µm diameter) consistent with Cryptosporidium sp. were closely associated with the surface of the epithelial cells or in the lumen of the bursa (89%), large intestine (61%), small intestine (44%), trachea (22%), and ventriculus (6%). Transmission electron microscopy of 1 case confirmed that these organisms were Cryptosporidium sp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in penguins, raising concern of the potential implications for the conservation of these species.

Evolution of patients with surgically treated drug-resistant occipital lobe epilepsy.

Background: This study was to describe the evolution of patients who underwent surgical treatment of drug- resistant occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE) at our institution.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from electronic and paper clinical records of 20 patients who were diagnosed of OLE and underwent epilepsy surgery at our institution between 1998 and 2018. We also contacted patients by telephone and asked them to fill out a questionnaire about quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-10). Assembled data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: The age at surgery ranged between 19 and 55 years. The period encompassing epilepsy onset and the date of surgery was variable. Semiology of seizures included visual symptoms in 75% of patients. In 90% of cases subdural grids, depth electrodes or a combination of both were used to plan the surgery. The most frequent neuroimaging and histopathological finding was cortical dysplasia (55%). The postoperative follow-up period was up to 15 years. The most common score on the Engel scale was I (70%). Visual deficits increased after surgery. Median score on QOLIE-10 questionnaire was 82.5 (interquartile range: 32.5).Conclusion: Surgical treatment of drug-resistant OLE offers hopeful results to those patients who have run out of pharmacological options and leads to postoperative deficits that are deemed expectable and occasionally acceptable.