Multiple lymphoid nodules in bone marrow biopsy in immunocompetent patient with cytomegalovirus infection: an immunohistochemical analysis

A term infant with severe hypereosinophilia secondary to CMV infection and the STAT1 gene mutation: a case report : List of authors

Hypereosinophilia is a rare presentation in all age groups, particularly when it is severe, persistent, and progressive. We describe the clinical characteristics and course of severe hypereosinophilia in a full-term Saudi female neonate. A febrile respiratory illness evolved with a progressive increase in peripheral blood leukocyte and eosinophil counts, reaching 44.9% of leukocytes and an absolute value of 57,000 cells/µl. Different etiological examinations (for viral, bacterial, immunodeficiency, hyper IgE syndrome, gene mutations) revealed extremely high CMV antigenemia and a homozygous mutation in the STAT1 gene. Anhelation was relieved by oxygen and anti-viral treatment. Steroids brought a dramatic response in peripheral blood counts within 24 h. After a 6-week course of antiviral and steroid treatment at home, she had an excellent general condition. Conclusion: Although a rare pathology, it is important to consider genetic disorders when there is an atypical immune response to viral infections.

Lymphoid aggregates in bone marrow: a diagnostic pitfall

Lymphoid aggregates in bone marrow specimens are a relatively frequent finding that may pose a diagnostic challenge for a pathologist. The distinction between reactive and neoplastic aggregates has significant clinical relevance. Although many testing modalities such as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular studies are currently available in clinical laboratories, the appropriate utilisation of these modalities and the awareness of their potential pitfalls are important. When a neoplastic process is ruled out, the significance of benign lymphoid aggregates in bone marrow is often unclear, as they may be associated with a broad spectrum of conditions including infections, autoimmune disorders, medications, or may even be idiopathic.This review focuses on evidence-based criteria that can aid in making the distinction between benign and malignant lymphoid aggregates and discusses the advantages, disadvantages and limits of ancillary tests used for this purpose. Finally, the most common aetiologies of benign lymphoid aggregates and their associations with specific diseases are discussed.

Inflammation, Active Fibroplasia, and End-stage Fibrosis in 172 Biliary Atresia Remnants Correlate Poorly With Age at Kasai Portoenterostomy, Visceral Heterotaxy, and Outcome

Published histologic studies of the hilar plate or entire biliary remnant at the time of Kasai portoenterostomy (KHPE) have not provided deep insight into the pathogenesis of biliary atresia, relation to age at surgery, prognosis or the basis for successful drainage. We report detailed histologic findings in 172 centrally reviewed biliary remnants with an average of 6 sections per subject. Active lesions were classified as either necroinflammatory (rare/clustered in a few subjects) or active concentric fibroplasia with or without inflammation (common). Inactive lesions showed bland replacement by collagen and fibrous cords with little or no inflammation. Heterogeneity was common within a given remnant; however, relatively homogenous histologic patterns, defined as 3 or more inactive or active levels in the hepatic ducts levels, characterized most remnants. Homogeneity did not correlate with age at KHPE, presence/absence of congenital anomalies at laparotomy indicative of heterotaxy and outcome. Remnants from youngest subjects were more likely than older subjects to be homogenously inactive suggesting significantly earlier onset in the youngest subset. Conversely remnants from the oldest subjects were often homogenously active suggesting later onset or slower progression. More data are needed in remnants from subjects <30 days old at KHPE and in those with visceral anomalies. Prevalence of partially preserved epithelium in active fibroplastic biliary atresia lesions at all ages suggests that epithelial regression or injury may not be a primary event or that reepithelialization is already underway at the time of KHPE. We hypothesize that outcome after KHPE results from competition between active fibroplasia and reepithelialization of retained, collapsed but not obliterated lumens. The driver of active fibroplasia is unknown.