Lymphocyte subpopulations in donovanosis assessed by monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulins

The haematological profile and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of 36 patients with donovanosis were estimated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies. Concentrations of serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, and IgA) were also estimated. The total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts were generally raised, as were total T lymphocyte, T4, and T8 counts. Patients with the hypertrophic variant, however, had decreased numbers of T lymphocytes and T8 cells and increased B cells and IgG. B lymphocyte counts and IgM and IgG concentrations were raised generally.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae with Special Reference to Beta-lactamase Producing Strains

Sixty untreated patients of gonorr ioea were subjected to clinico- bacteriological study with special reference to betalactamase producing strains. Unilateral epididymitis was observed in 2 and multiple peri-urethral abscesses were found in 1. One male patient was asymptomatic. One strain of gonococcus isolated from an unmarried male patient showed resistance to 10 IU penicillin disc and positive rapid iodometric test for beta-lactamase enzyme.

Histoid leprosy--a histopathological reapparel

Twenty three clinically diagnosed histoid leprosy patients were subjected to histopathological and histochemical investigations. The histopathological features were comprise of a well-formed lesion surrounded by a pseudocapsule. In addition, a free, midly eosinophilic, uninvolved sub-epidermal zone, and variously arranged spindle-shaped histiocytes were noted in the lesion. Polygonal and foamy histiocytes were also sited in a few sections. The lesion also had a large number of solid staining acid-fast lepra bacilli. The latter might have stimulated a peculiar histiocytic tissue response almost identical to that seen in histiocytoma(cutis) but for the absence of haemosidrin and lipids.

Pseudoelephantiasis induced by donovanosis

In a recent survey the incidence of pseudoelephantiasis induced by donovanosis was found to be 5%. The ratio of women to men was 3:1. The incubation period was two to 20 days, and the duration was two to 24 months. The disease was contracted through premarital or extramarital sexual intercourse. The morphological features were characterised in women by globular pedunculated verrucous surfaced swellings affecting the labia majora and the clitoris and accompanying ulceration or its aftermath (depigmentation), or both. Constitutional symptoms were absent. Intracytoplasmic Donovan bodies in the tissue or a smear from the ulcers were diagnostic. Immune markers, such as total T lymphocytes and their subsets (T4 (helper/inducer) and T8 (suppressor/cytotoxic), B lymphocytes, immunoglobulins G, A, and M, and the pivotal complement component C3 were largely inconsequential.

Tissue section Donovan bodies--identification through slow-Giemsa (overnight) technique

Slow-Giemsa (overnight) tissue section staining technique is described. It was found to be 100% successful in different variants of donovanosis. This method, though time-consuming, is much superior to often used tissue smears, and should be employed for its ultimate confirmation.

Immunoprofile of reactions in leprosy

The immunologic profile during erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) revealed increased percentage and absolute count of B-lymphocytes, in addition to considerably lowered levels of complement component C3. Serum immunoglobulins--IgG, IgA, and IgM--were significantly raised after subsidence of ENL, whereas upgrading reaction showed an increase of absolute count of total T lymphocytes and percentage and count of B-lymphocytes. In addition, a raised serum IgM level was noted after regression of ENL. Downgrading reaction demonstrated a decreased percentage of early T-lymphocytes and raised the absolute count of B-lymphocytes. Serum IgA levels were found to be increased after amelioration of ENL.

The histopathology of type I (lepra) and type II (ENL) reactions in leprosy

The histopathological features in type I (lepra) reaction comprised a loose and disorganised granuloma in the upper and mid-dermis, dermal edema and variable cellular contents, namely, epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, giant cells, and macrophages. While ENL reactions, were characterised by predominant involvement of subcutaneous vessels, vasculitis, and polymorphonuclear infiltration in and around the blood vessels.

Uveal changes in leprosy

A total of 424 leprosy patients were screened for uveal involvement. Uveal changes were found in 11.2% of these patients. Uveal involvement was more common in patients with greater duration of the disease and in patients on irregular Dapsone therapy. Of the patients with uveal involvement 82% were lepromatous, 16% were borderline and 2% were of tuberculoid leprosy. Uveal changes in form of active iridocyclitis (21.3%), healed iridocyclitis (58.5%), iris atrophy (10.6%), iris pearls (7.4%), small irregular pupil (46.7%), pupil refractory to dilatation (56.3%) were seen. Posterior segment involvement was rare. Lepromatous and borderline leprosy patients with no clinical evidence of uveal involvement had decreased power of accommodation as compared to normal subjects.

Association of Pemphigus Vulgaris with Vitiligo

A patient had vitiligo for 10 years with development of new lesions for the last. Four months. Concomitant with the recent activation of vitiligo, he developed pemphigus vulgarism. Corticosteiroid therapy controlled pemphigus vulgaris, and also halted the development of new vitiligo lesions. Histopathologic study revealed inflammatory infiltrate at the dermo-epidermal junction along with basal cell layer dissolution suggesting atuoimmune, origin of vitiligo.

Trace elements in the sera of leprosy spectrum

Serum zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 56 leprosy patients comprising 14 BT, 12 BB, 11 BL and 19 LL. These findings were evaluated in comparison to 42 normal subjects serving as controls. A significant elevation of serum copper was recorded while reduction in zinc, calcium and magnesium was noted throughout the leprosy spectrum. The findings of our study are of considerable importance and need to be taken note of in the light of delineating these alterations to be the cause or effect of the disease.