LMNA::NTRK1 and PRDX1::NTRK1 Atypical Spitz Tumor: A Report of Two Additional Cases With Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Insights

Over the past decade, advancements in molecular biology have contributed to changes in the diagnostic classification of Spitz neoplasms, including Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors, and Spitz melanomas. The recent World Health Organization classification of skin tumors identifies fusion kinases, including NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, as critical drivers of these lesions. New fusion genes have continued to expand the spectrum of known molecular alterations, particularly within the category of Spitz NTRK-rearranged lesions. We present 2 new cases of NTRK-rearranged Spitz lesions: an atypical Spitz tumor with common LMNA::NTRK1 fusion and an atypical Spitz tumor with a rare PRDX1::NTRK1 fusion. Clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses were performed to diagnose these patients. This report adds to the growing body of knowledge on NTRK-rearranged Spitz lesions and underscores the importance of integrating molecular findings with morphological and immunohistochemical data for the accurate classification and understanding of these neoplasms.

Morphology, Glycan Pattern, Heat Shock Proteins, and Sex Steroid Receptors Expression in the Tubal Fimbria Epithelium of the Baboon Papio hamadryas during the Menstrual Cycle

The oviductal fimbria is the first extraovarian anatomical structure that the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) encounters, and is sensitive to sex hormone changes. The morphology, glycan pattern, expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), estradiol receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) were investigated in the oviductal fimbria epithelium of the baboon (Papio hamadryas) during the menstrual cycle. The morphology was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy; the glycopattern was characterized using conventional and lectin histochemistry; HSPs (60, -70, -90), ER, and PR were localized immunohistochemically. Well-differentiated ciliated and nonciliated cells were present only during the preovulatory phase. The nonciliated cells contained small apical protrusions and thin microvilli. During the preovulatory phase (1) the luminal surface of the fimbria displayed acidic glycans, complex N-glycans containing fucose, and oligolactosamine residues; (2) nonciliated cells expressed HSP60 and HSP90 in the apical blebs, HSP70 in the nucleus and cytoplasm, as well as nuclear ERα and PR; (3) ciliated cells showed HSP70 in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cilia that also expressed HSP90 and PR. These results are related to the function of the fimbria where the early COC-oviduct crosstalk occurs and may represent a benchmark for translational studies of other primates.

Tracking Endometrial Malacoplakia Through the Evolution of 2D and 3D Ultrasound and Histopathological Features

Malacoplakia is an uncommon disease characterized by chronic and granulomatous inflammation, which rarely involves the female genital tract. We describe the ecographic and histological evolution of the first case of a patient developing endometrial malacoplakia as a complication after a cesarean section. The patient, a 43-year-old woman, presented with pelvic pain one month after delivering by cesarean section and the initial suspicion was of retention of placental rests. We discuss the diagnostic challenges for this rare disease, highlighting the importance of considering endometrial malacoplakia as a possible diagnosis in patients with similar clinical presentations and the important role of 2D and 3D ultrasound in the diagnostic pathway. In literature, ultrasound findings in cases of endometrial malacoplakia are represented by hypoechoic thickening of the endometrial lining; hyperechoic thickening of the myometrium, and the presence of masses, nodules, cystic areas, or anechoic fluid within the endometrium. For the first time, we describe the evolution of endometrial malacoplakia through both ultrasound, 2D and 3D, and histopathological findings, from the acute to chronic stage of the disease.

Poorly Differentiated Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) or Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Skin (LELCS) with Squamous Pearls: A Case Presentation with Emphasis on Histomorphological Features and Classification Debates

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LELCS) is a rare primary skin cancer, with an annual incidence of 1/100,000 and about 85 cases published in the literature. It is considered the cutaneous counterpart of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UNC, Schmincke-Regaud tumor) but has no association with EBV. We present an interesting case with features of LELCS in a 93-year-old man, right frontal-orbital region, diagnosed histologically and with immunohistochemical features. We also emphasize contrasting morphologic features for correct nosographic classification and address current issues, suggesting potential insights. Finally, we briefly reviewed other cases described in the literature.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy: A Case Report of Fetal Intraventricular Hemorrhage After Critical COVID-19 Infection and a Brief Review of the Literature

More than three and a half years have passed since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and there have been several studies in the literature about the different damage and symptom patterns related to the condition; particular attention has been paid to the transmission of the disease from pregnant mothers to fetus. In this report, we present the case of a 36-year-old patient with a history of two cesarean sections (CS), two miscarriages, and hypothyroidism on replacement therapy, who contracted COVID-19 during the 15th week of gestation. Ultrasound (US) examination at 22 weeks revealed regular fetal biometry and bilateral ventriculomegaly, highly suggestive of massive intracerebral hemorrhage. The patient opted for the interruption of pregnancy. Given the critical maternal COVID-19 complications, especially tracheoesophageal fistula and the patient's two previous cesareans, we decided on an abortive CS at 23 weeks of gestation, and the samples were sent to the Pathology Department. Histologic analysis showed massive intervillous deposition of fibrin and inflammatory infiltration with hotspots of necrotic deciduitis and confirmed massive cerebral hemorrhage in the fetus. This morphological appearance was consistent with COVID-19 infection and probable fetal oxygenation compromise related to deciduitis. Immunoexpression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 antibody was almost entirely positive at the level of syncytiotrophoblast cells and maternal leukocytes in the absence of a clear signal in the fetal circulation. Conversely, in the brain, immunoexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the S1 subunit of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, detected by a monoclonal antibody, was almost entirely negative, suggesting that there was no infection in the brain and that the massive intraventricular hemorrhage was probably a secondary effect of placental damage.

Mature Triphyllic Cystic Teratoma of the Posterior Mediastinum in a Fetus: A Case Report and Literature Review

A teratoma is a neoplasm composed of cell populations or tissues that are reminiscent, in their appearance, of normal elements derived from at least two embryonic layers. Fetal mature teratomas are normally benign, cystic, and typically occur along the midline, while they are rare in the posterior mediastinum. Teratomas are frequently solitary; however, they may sometimes be associated with other congenital anomalies and/or with chromosomal abnormalities. Clinically, they are often asymptomatic but can occasionally cause compression symptoms. Prenatal diagnoses are uncommon and made with ultrasonography; differential diagnosis with other congenital conditions is mandatory. We report the case of a 21 weeks of gestational age old fetus with a mature triphyllic fetal cystic teratoma, grade 0, located in the right posterior mediastinum. The tumor presented as a 3 cm wide cystic mass that caused a contralateral shift of the surrounding structures. Histological examination later revealed the presence of derivatives of the three germ layers, such as hyaline cartilage, smooth muscle, nervous tissue, and a respiratory-type epithelium.

Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma: Case Presentation with a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

(1) Background: Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare, low-grade, neuroendocrine-differentiated, cutaneous adnexal tumor, officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Skin Tumors Classification in 2018 as a separate entity and homologue of endocrine ductal carcinoma in situ (eDCIS)/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast. Although it is more frequent in the female sex, between 60 and 70 years old, in the peri-orbital region, EMPSGC has also been described in the male sex, in subjects under 60 and over 80, and in extra-eyelid localizations (cheek, temple, scalp), but also in extra-facial localizations (chest and scrotum). (2) Methods: We present the clinical case of a 71-year-old woman with an undated lesion of the scalp, which presented as a nodule, skin-colored, and 2.5 cm in maximum diameter. We also conduct a comprehensive literature review from 1997 to the end of 2022, consulting PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar using the following keywords: "Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma" and/or "EMPSGC" and/or "skin" and "cutaneous neoplasms". In addition, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 253 patients were recorded; 146 were females (57.7%) and 107 were males (42.2%). The vast majority of the lesions were in the eyelids (peri-ocular region), and only a minority of cases involved the cheeks, supra-auricular, retro-auricular, and occipital region, with very rare cases in the scalp, to which the present is also added. (4) Conclusions: The morphological and immunophenotypical features are essential both for the correct diagnosis and to be able to classify this lesion among the corresponding eDCIS/solid papillary carcinoma of the breast, with neuroendocrine differentiation. Recent papers have attempted to shed light on the molecular features of EMPSGC, and much remains to be conducted in the attempt to subtype the molecular profiles of these entities. Future studies with large case series, and especially with molecular biology techniques, will be needed to further add information about EMPSGC and its relationship in the PCMC spectrum.

Immunolocalization of the AT-1R Ang II Receptor in Human Kidney Cancer

This study aimed to evaluate AT1-R expression in normal and cancerous human kidneys, how these expressions are modified, and AT1-R functionality. AT-1R mRNA expression, determined by real-time PCR, was detected in all samples. AT-1R mRNA increased in well-differentiated cancer (G1, p < 0.01) and decreased 2.9-fold in undifferentiated cancer (G4, p < 0.001) compared with normal kidney tissues. Immunocytochemistry analysis showed that the AT-1R was expressed in the normal tubular epithelium. The glomerulus was also immunoreactive, and as expected, the smooth muscle cells of the vessel walls also expressed the receptor. A total of 35 out of 42 tumors were AT-1R positive, with the cell tumors showing varying numbers of immunoreactive cells, which were stained in a diffuse cytoplasmic and membranous pattern. Computer-assisted counting of the stained tumor cells showed that the number of AT-1R-positive cells increased in the well-differentiated cancers. The functionality of AT-1R was assessed in primary cultures of kidney epithelial cells obtained from three G3 kidney cancer tissues and corresponding histologically proven non-malignant tissue adjacent to the tumor. Indeed, Ang II stimulated, in a dose-dependent manner, the 24 h proliferation of normal kidney cells and cancer cells in the primary culture and phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2. In conclusion, Ang II may be involved in the growth or function of neoplastic kidney tissue.

Placental Angiodysplasia: A New Sign for Prediction of Fetal Outcome?

The study of the placenta is of great importance, not only in the attempt to understand the etiopathogenesis of various maternal-fetal pathologies, but also in the attempt to understand whether it is possible to find the cause of pathological neonatal outcomes. On the other hand, abnormalities of blood vessel formation, such as angiodysplasias, have been poorly characterised in the literature, and there is a need for more studies investigating the potential impact on the fetus. In this paper, we retrospectively analysed 2063 placentas received at the Department of Pathology of the University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', among which we identified 70 placentas affected by angiodysplasia. On these placentas, we carried out histochemical staining with Masson's Trichrome, orcein-alcian blue, and, subsequently, immunostaining with anti-CD31, CD34, and desmin and actin muscle smoothness antibodies. Finally, we performed a morphometric analysis on the allantochorionic and truncal vessels and correlated the results with neonatal outcomes. We studied the characteristics of the angiodysplasias in detail, dividing the patients into two classes (A and B) according to the morphology and histochemical characteristics of the affected vessels; statistical analysis reported a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the ratio of maximum thickness to maximum diameter (Tmax/Dmax) and neonatal outcome, with only 30% physiological outcome in the cohort of the placentas affected by angiodysplasia. These results shed light on a rather neglected aspect in the 2015 Amsterdam Classification, as well as in the literature, and provided strong evidence that placental angiodysplasia is predictive of an increased likelihood of the pathological fetal outcome, while other factors remain in the field. Studies with larger case series and guidelines with more attention to these aspects are mandated to further investigate the predictive potential of this pathology.

"GONE WITH THE WIND": The Transitory Effects of COVID-19 on the Gynecological System

The coronavirus disease no longer seems to represent an insurmountable global problem. This is thanks to the advent of coronavirus vaccines, which have alleviated the most serious symptoms associated with this disease. On the other hand, there are still many extrapulmonary symptoms of COVID-19, and among these also those of a gynecological nature. At the moment, there are several questions in this field, one above all concerns the causal link between COVID-19, vaccines and gynecological alterations. Furthermore, another important aspect is represented by the clinical impact of post-COVID-19 gynecological alterations on the female population which, to date, would seem to be mainly due to their duration, even if the extent of these symptoms is still poorly understood. Furthermore, it is not possible to foresee eventual long-term aggravations, or more serious symptoms caused by other viral variants that may arrive in the future. In this review, we focus on this theme and attempt to reorganize the different pieces of a puzzle which, to date, does not seem to have shown us its complete picture.

Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women Affected by Severe-Critical COVID-19 Illness: Correlation with Vaccination Status in the Time of Different Viral Strains' Dominancy

This is a monocentric and cross-sectional study conducted at the COVID-19 Division of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Unit and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of Policlinico di Bari, in Bari, Italy, between September 2020 and April 2022. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of severe-critical COVID-19 illness requiring access to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) among 287 pregnant patients, and possible correlations between the SARS-CoV-2 variants, the specific pandemic wave (dominated by wild, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron strains), and severe-critical adverse maternal outcomes. The prevalence of severe-critical COVID-19 illness was 2.8% (8/287), reaching 4.9% (8/163) excluding the 4th wave (Omicron dominant). The Delta variant determined the highest risk ratio and odds for access to the ICU due to severe-critical COVID-19-related symptoms compared to the other variants (wild, Alpha, Omicron). During the third wave (Delta), the ICU cases underwent a higher rate of hyperimmune plasma infusion (75%), antibiotic therapy (75%), and remdesivir (33%); all of the patients were intubated. During the Omicron wave, the patients were asymptomatic or with few symptoms: most of them (70%) were vaccinated with a median of two doses. The maternal outcome worsened in the case of Alpha and, especially, Delta variants for severe-critical COVID-19-related symptoms and ICU access.

Polymorphic Malignant Melanoma (PMM) of the Left Helix: Case Report with Clinical-Pathological Correlations

Malignant melanoma (MM) is known to be the great mimic in dermatopathology. Over time, several variants have been described, not all of which have repercussions on the clinical/oncological management of the affected patient. The existence, however, of these alternative forms of MM is of great interest to the pathologist, as they are potentially capable of inducing diagnostic errors affecting the diagnostic-therapeutic care pathway (PDTC). In this paper, we present a very rare case of polymorphic MM, in which five different morphological aspects coexisted in the same lesion, confirmed by immunohistochemical investigation and by RT-PCR for mutation of the BRAF gene and discuss the importance of correct recognition of these different morphological features to avoid misdiagnosis.

Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma (AFH) of the Right Arm: An Exceptional Case with Pulmonary Metastasis and Confirmatory EWSR1::CREB1 Translocation

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare neoplasm described for the first time by Enzinger in 1979, and classified by World Health Organization 2020 as intermediate malignant potential neoplasm. It mostly occurs in the subcutis and is characterized by varying proportions of epithelioid, ovoid and spindle cells in a nodular and syncytial growth pattern, with some hemorrhagic pseudovascular spaces. In this paper, we report the clinical case of a 62-year-old man who presented with AFH on the right arm, and relapsed three years after first surgical excision. After a further three years, the patient presented with an intramuscular localization of AFH, and 12 months after this, a pulmonary metastasis of AFH was diagnosed. Given the rarity of the spreading of AFH, we performed Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and we detected EWSR1::CREB1 gene fusion.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and Adverse Effects in Gynecology and Obstetrics: The First Italian Retrospective Study

The most common effects reported by the Italian Medicine Agency following administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are myalgia, soreness to the arm of inoculation, fever, and asthenia. To date, there are no specific and official reports registered by the Italian Medicine Agency on possible alterations of the menstrual cycle, or of the female reproductive system, following the vaccine. Actually, clinical experience showed a spread of transient adverse drug reactions of the menstrual cycle, following the administration of all COVID-19 vaccine types, both mRNA and Adenovirus vectored ones. In this work, we conducted the first retrospective study on Italian patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 in the period between April 2021 and April 2022, to report the onset of menstrual changes after the vaccine in order to understand: etiology, duration of possible adverse effects, and the extent of the phenomenon. We recruited 100 women aged 18-45, vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, who were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of 12 multiple choice questions about the effects of the vaccine on the reproductive system. Thirty-seven of them received three doses of the vaccine, while the remaining 63 received two doses. Symptoms such as delayed menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia, menometrorrhagia, and menorrhagia) were generally reported within the first three weeks of vaccination, especially after the second dose, with a percentage of 23% and 77%, respectively. These preliminary data suggest that this problem may be broader and deserving of further investigation in the future.

SARS-CoV-2 and Skin: New Insights and Perspectives

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has disrupted global health systems and brought the entire globe to its knees. Although born as a disease of the respiratory system, COVID-19 can affect different parts of the body, including the skin. Reports of ongoing skin manifestations of COVID-19 have gradually multiplied, pushing researchers to investigate the etiopathogenic mechanisms underlying these phenomena in more depth. In an attempt to investigate the possible association between SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, TMPRSS2 and skin manifestations, we performed immunohistochemical investigations of the ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2 in nine skin samples from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients compared to a cohort of healthy controls. Furthermore, after consulting public databases regarding ACE2 mRNA expression in various cell populations resident in the skin, we conducted a literature review aimed at outlining the current state of this topic. We did not find statistically different immuno-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 between the group of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (nine skin biopsies) and the control group. Regarding ACE2, major immunolabeling was present in the epidermal keratinocytes and, rarely, in the fibroblasts and in the adenomeres of the eccrine sweat glands. Regarding the immune expression of TMPRSS2, we found no significant differences between the two groups, with a weak immune staining only in some skin cytotypes. From the review of the literature, we isolated 35 relevant articles according to the inclusion criteria adopted. ACE2 appears to be a target of SARS-CoV-2, although, other receptor molecules may potentially be implicated, such as TMPRSS2. Future studies with large cases and different molecular investigative methods are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the skin manifestations of SARS-CoV-2.

Nutrition as Personalized Medicine against SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Clinical and Oncological Options with a Specific Female Groups Overview

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is acknowledged that vulnerable people can suffer from mortal complications of COVID-19. Therefore, strengthening the immune system particularly in the most fragile people could help to protect them from infection. First, general nutritional status and food consumption patterns of everyone affect the effectiveness of each immune system. The effects of nutrition could impact the level of intestinal and genital microbiota, the adaptive immune system, and the innate immune system. Indeed, immune system cells and mediators, which are crucial to inflammatory reaction, are in the structures of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins and are activated through vitamins (vit) and minerals. Therefore, the association of malnutrition and infection could damage the immune response, reducing the immune cells and amplifying inflammatory mediators. Both amount and type of dietary fat impact on cytokine biology, that consequently assumes a crucial role in inflammatory disease. This review explores the power of nutrition in the immune response against COVID-19 infection, since a specific diet could modify the cytokine storm during the infection phase. This can be of vital importance in the most vulnerable subjects such as pregnant women or cancer patients to whom we have deemed it necessary to dedicate personalized indications.

Primitive Cutaneous (P)erivascular (E)pithelioid (C)ell Tumour (PEComa): A New Case Report of a Rare Cutaneous Tumor

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) are a growing family of tumours composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells. Cutaneous primitive PEComas (cPEComas) are very rare, with 65 cases described in the English literature, and occur as a painless lesion predominantly in female patients, with a wide age range. We present a new case of cPEComa found on the left thigh of a 53-year-old patient with histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular information. The lesion was positive for HMB-45 and focal for smooth muscle actin and desmin but negative for melan-A, S-100 protein, CD31, and CD34. Next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis demonstrated the presence of genomic aberration for baculoviral IAP repeats containing BIRC3 splice site 1622-27_1631del37. Although there are little molecular data regarding this entity, our case adds to this knowledge, considering the importance of detecting genomic aberrations in the context of specific therapies such as mTOR inhibitors.

SARS-CoV-2, Placental Histopathology, Gravity of Infection and Immunopathology: Is There an Association?

(1) Background: As the pandemic months progress, more and more evidence shows that the placenta acts as a “barrier” to SARS-CoV-2, although rare cases of vertical transmission have been described. (2) Methods: In an attempt to investigate whether the symptoms’ severity was related to different placental histological characteristics and the immune microenvironment, we subdivided 29 placentas from 29 mothers positive for SARS-CoV-2 into two groups, depending on the symptomatology (moderate/severe vs. asymptomatic/mild), performing immunohistochemical investigations for CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, as well as for CD68 + macrophage. We also evaluated the immuno-expression of the ACE2 receptor at the placental level. These two groups were compared to a control group of 28 placentas from 28 SARS-CoV-2-negative healthy mothers. (3) Results: The symptoms (likely to be related to viremia) were statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with histopathological changes, such as maternal malperfusion, decidual arteriopathy, blood vessel thrombus of fetal relevance. Furthermore, the immuno-expression of ACE2 was significantly lower in SARS-CoV-2-positive groups vs. control group (p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: There is still much to study and discover regarding the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and histological changes in placentas and how the latter might contribute to various neonatal clinical outcomes, such as prematurity.

Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Takayasu Arteritis Directly Correlates With Diastolic Dysfunction and Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in the Vessel Wall: A Clinical, ex vivo and in vitro Analysis

Background

Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) increases vascular stiffness and arterial resistance. Atherosclerosis leads to similar changes. We investigated possible differences in cardiovascular remodeling between these diseases and whether the differences are correlated with immune cell expression.

Methods

Patients with active TAK arteritis were compared with age- and sex-matched atherosclerotic patients (Controls). In a subpopulation of TAK patients, Treg/Th17 cells were measured before (T0) and after 18 months (T18) of infliximab treatment. Echocardiogram, supraaortic Doppler ultrasound, and lymphocytogram were performed in all patients. Histological and immunohistochemical changes of the vessel wall were evaluated as well.

Results

TAK patients have increased aortic valve dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction. The degree of dysfunction appears associated with uric acid levels. A significant increase in aortic stiffness was also observed and associated with levels of peripheral T lymphocytes. CD3+ CD4+ cell infiltrates were detected in the vessel wall samples of TAK patients, whose mean percentage of Tregs was lower than Controls at T0, but increased significantly at T18. Opposite behavior was observed for Th17 cells. Finally, TAK patients were found to have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that different pathogenic mechanisms underlie vessel damage, including atherosclerosis, in TAK patients compared with Controls. The increased risk of ASCVD in TAK patients correlates directly with the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the vessel wall. Infliximab restores the normal frequency of Tregs/Th17 in TAK patients and allows a possible reduction of steroids and immunosuppressants.

Development of Flat Warts on the Cheeks after BioNTech-Pfizer BNT162b2 Vaccine: Is There a Correlation?

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected health systems across the globe, making the use of vaccines more urgent and topical than ever. Since the first months after the introduction of vaccinations, several reactions, both local and systemic, have been reported although they were mostly very mild and only rarely harbingers of more serious complications. We present a case of multiple flat warts onset over the cheeks in a patient after the second dose of mRNA BioNTech-Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine, and we discuss the possible temporal association between the two events, also considering the patient's antibody status.

Balloon Cell Melanoma: Presentation of Four Cases with a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

balloon cell melanoma represents less than 1% of all histological forms of malignant melanoma and represents a diagnostic challenge for the dermatopathologist.

METHODS

in this paper we present our cases of BCM found in our daily practice from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2021, and we conduct a review of the literature relating to this entity in the period from the first description, 1970, to early 2022.

RESULTS

four cases of melanoma balloon cell have been extrapolated from our electronic database, while in the review of the literature we have identified 115 cases of patients with primary and/or metastatic BCM.

CONCLUSIONS

we believe that future studies with numerous case series are essential not only to increase the knowledge of the pathophysiology of this neoplasm but also to correctly evaluate the response of BCM patients to new oncological therapies.

Laminar Necrosis and Hypoxic Damage of the Placenta: A Case-Control Study

The aim of this study is to verify the role of laminar necrosis (LN) in the diagnosis of hypoxic damage of the placenta. This is a retrospective case-control study in which 50 cases with laminar necrosis were compared with 100 gestational age-matched controls without laminar necrosis in a 1:2 ratio. The parameters analyzed were: the presence of other placental lesions, obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcome. For each of the 50 cases, the area affected by the lesion was detected, and the lesions were classified into three groups based on the morphology and time of onset of the lesion in order to understand whether these characteristics of the lesion had a clinical-pathology. The results showed that including the search for LN among placental lesions generally examined is useful to guide the pathologist in the diagnosis of placental dysfunction of hypoxic origin.

Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) and Human Malignant Melanoma: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer testis antigen (CTA) identified in 1997 through analysis of the specificity of tumor-reactive T-cell clones derived from a patient with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Although at first it seemed even more specific, various studies have shown that PRAME can also be expressed in the context of atypical lesions that do not correspond solely to the definition of malignant melanoma.

METHODS

A systematic review of English articles was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

126 records were identified in the literature search, of which 9 were duplicates. After screening for eligibility and inclusion criteria, 53 publications were included.

CONCLUSIONS

The advent of a new marker such as PRAME is surely a step forward not only in the diagnostic approach, but also in the immunotherapeutic approach to MM. However, various studies have shown that PRAME can also be expressed in the context of atypical lesions apart from MM and, for this reason, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity (hence accuracy) are clearly lower. Further studies with larger case series will be necessary to understand better what possibilities are offered in terms of diagnostic reliability by PRAME.

Pregnancy Complications, Correlation With Placental Pathology and Neonatal Outcomes

Purpose

We aimed to clarify and contribute to a better comprehension of associations and correlations between placental histological findings, pregnancy evolution, and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design

This is a longitudinal and prospective observational study, performed between May 2015 and May 2019, on 506 pregnant women. Clinical data related to pregnancy outcome, neonatal health status, and placental histology were primarily collected. Twin pregnancies or malformed newborns were excluded and therefore the study was conducted on 439 cases. These cases have been then subdivided into the following study groups: (a) 282 placentas from pathological pregnancies; and, (b) a control group of 157 pregnancies over 33 weeks of gestational age, defined as physiological or normal pregnancies due to the absence of maternal, fetal, and early neonatal pathologies, most of which had undergone elective cesarean section for maternal or fetal indication.

Results

A normal placenta was present in 57.5% of normal pregnancies and in 42.5% of pathological pregnancies. In contrast, placental pathology was present in 26.2% of normal pregnancies and 73.8% of pathological pregnancies. Comparison of the neonatal health status with the pregnancy outcome showed that, among the 191 newborns classified as normal, 98 (51.3%) were born from a normal pregnancy, while 93 (48.7%) were born from mothers with a pathological pregnancy. Among the 248 pathological infants, 59 (23.8%) were born from a mother with a normal pregnancy, while 189 (76.2%) were born from pregnancies defined as pathological.

Conclusion

Placental histology must be better understood in the context of natural history of disease. Retrospective awareness of placental damage is useful in prevention in successive pregnancy, but their early identification in the evolving pregnancy could help in association with biological markers or more sophisticated instruments for early diagnosis.

COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy: Obstetrical Risk Factors and Neonatal Outcomes-A Monocentric, Single-Cohort Study

The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on pregnant women and neonates are mainly unknown, since limited data are available in the literature. We conducted a monocentric and cross-sectional study enrolling 122 un-vaccinated pregnant women with COVID-19 infection tested by RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab. Only 4.1% of the patients had severe COVID-19 symptoms together with major respiratory symptoms and intensive care unit admission, whereas 35.25% of women had comorbidities and two-thirds of them were overweight or obese. COVID-19 was detected mainly in the third trimester (98.36%) and multiparous women (59.02%). The mode of delivery was influenced by mild-severe COVID-19 symptoms, with a higher number of urgent or emergent cesarean sections than spontaneous or operative vaginal births. Preterm births were associated with high BMI, mode of delivery (higher among cesarean sections), nulliparity, and severe COVID-19 symptoms. In cases of severe COVID-19 symptoms, there was a higher rate of respiratory distress syndrome among newborns. In the end, only the presence of a severe COVID-19 infection worsened the obstetrical and neonatal outcomes, with higher rates of urgent or emergent cesarean section, preterm births, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.