An in vitro culture method for screening new drugs against Mycobacterium leprae

An in vitro culture system has been devised for the maintenance and growth of M. leprae in a cell-free medium. Cells from four-week old cultures could be transferred to fresh medium and normal growth was observed in subcultures. Using this system, the M.I.Cs of dapsone and rifampicin were determined. Dapsone at 25 ng/ml and rifampicin at 300 ng/ml completely inhibited the growth of host-grown as well as in vitro-adapted M. leprae. It was further shown that the effects of both the drugs were bactericidal; this observation was subsequently confirmed using mouse foot-pad technique.

[Fatal acute myocardial infarct in a 14-year old boy]

The case of a 14 year old male, with no personal or family antecedents of ischemic heart disease, who died owing to an acute myocardial infarct into the few hours of beginning to pain. In the necroscopic study it was observed that the coronary arteries did not show any anatomical alterations or stenosis from their origins, although a microscopic study revealed extensive zones of necrosis.

Extragenital endometrioid cystadenofibroma

We present a case of extragenital endometrioid cystadenofibroma, whose rare pelvic localization is the motive for its publication, as no similar case had been described previously. Its possible histogenesis from a pelvic mesothelium, as well as the differential diagnosis from pelvic endometriosis is discussed.

Bilateral incipient germ cell tumours of the testis in the incomplete testicular feminization syndrome

The presence of bilateral incipient germ cell tumours in the testes of two cases of the incomplete testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) is reported and found to resemble that occurring in the testes of infertile men. Both the nature and nomenclature of the lesion is discussed, as is its relevance in the early diagnosis and improved therapy of testicular tumours, which occur frequently in TFS. Suggestions are made for a more complete postpubertal surveillance in these patients, including assay of tumour markers and bilateral biopsies in cases of complete TFS. In this condition the removal of the testes is usually delayed until the twenties when total feminization is achieved, thus increasing the chances of tumour development.

A syndrome with mixed deafness, Mozart ear, middle and inner ear dysplasias

A 10-year-old boy presenting a disorder of multiple malformations with an otologic component consisting of mixed deafness, Mozart ear, thin stapes, small oval window and agenesis of the semicircular canals, was studied. A comparative analysis of similar malformation-entities has permitted the delineation of a previously undescribed syndrome.

Mixed Brenner and adenomatoid tumor of the testis: an ultrastructural study and histogenetic considerations

A previously unreported association of Brenner and adenomatoid tumor found in the tunica vaginalis testis is presented. Many ultrastructural features found in mesothelial cells such as intercellular spaces, deeply indented nuclei, tonofilaments and tight desmosomes, were also shared by cells present in both neoplastic patterns. The previous histogenetic origins ascribed to testicular Brenner tumors are discussed and the evidence for their origin in the mesothelium considered.

Carcinosarcomas and mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary: a clinicopathologic study of six cases

A clinicopathologic study of three ovarian carcinosarcomas and three mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary is presented. None of the patients survived for more than 1 year, irrespective of chemotherapeutic treatment or the extent of surgery. No prognostic differences were noted between the histologic patterns of varying tumor sizes of carcinosarcomas and mixed mesodermal tumors. The association of these two entities with other neoplasms of Müllerian nature suggests a multicentric tumor response of Müllerian tract derivatives. The necessity of adequate sampling, both for correct diagnosis and to exclude the possibility of teratoma (which behaves in a more benign fashion), is emphasized.