Investigation of Human Cytomegalovirus and Human Papillomavirus in Glioma

The study investigated the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) in gliomas. A retrospective study was conducted on 112 samples. HCMV was investigated by PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry. HPV was tested by PCR and DNA ISH. HCMV was identified in 60 gliomas, including 55 GBM. However, RNA ISH and immunohistochemistry failed to detect HCMV positivity. HPV was identified in 44 GBM. No significant relationship was identified between HCMV and HPV and tumour characteristics (p > 0.05). Our findings support the HCMV and HPV presence in gliomas. Further assays are required to more explore the potential efficient antiviral management.

Investigation of simian virus 40 (SV40) and human JC, BK, MC, KI, and WU polyomaviruses in glioma

The gliomagenesis remains not fully established and their etiological factors still remain obscure. Polyomaviruses were detected and involved in several human tumors. Their potential implication in gliomas has been not yet surveyed in Africa and Arab World. Herein, we investigated the prevalence of six polyomaviruses (SV40, JCPyV, BKPyV, MCPyV, KIPyV, and WUPyV) in 112 gliomas from Tunisian patients. The DNA sequences of polyomaviruses were examined by PCR assays. Viral infection was confirmed by DNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationships between polyomavirus infection and tumor features were evaluated. Specific SV40 Tag, viral regulatory, and VP1 regions were identified in 12 GBM (10.7%). DNA ISH targeting the whole SV40 genome and SV40 Tag IHC confirmed the PCR findings. Five gliomas yielded JCPyV positivity by PCR and DNA ISH (2.7%). However, no BKPyV, KIPyV, and WUPyV DNA sequences were identified in all samples. MCPyV DNA was identified in 30 gliomas (26.8%). For GBM samples, MCPyV was significantly related to patient age (p = 0.037), tumor recurrence (p = 0.024), and SV40 (p = 0.045) infection. No further significant association was identified with the remaining tumor features (p > 0.05) and patient survival (Log Rank, p > 0.05). Our study indicates the presence of SV40, JCPyV, and MCPyV DNA in Tunisian gliomas. Further investigations are required to more elucidate the potential involvement of polyomaviruses in these destructive malignancies.

Atlanto-axial langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child presented as torticollis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition mostly seen in children and adolescents. Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) is one of its three clinical entities and is considered as a benign osteolytic lesion. Many reports of patients with spine histiocytosis are well documented in the literature but it is not the case of atlantoaxial localization. We report here a new observation of atlantoaxial LCH in a 4-year-old boy revealed by persistent torticollis. He was successfully treated with systemic chemotherapy and surgery. Inter-body fusion packed by autologous iliac bone was performed with resolution of his symptoms. It is known that conservative treatment is usually sufficient and surgery should be reserved for major neurologic defects in spine EG. In atlantoaxial lesion, surgical treatment should be frequently considered.

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide (1-38) and its analog (Acetyl-[Ala15, Ala20] PACAP 38-polyamide) reverse methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate both functionally and structurally bronchodilator effects of Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP38) and acetyl-[Ala15, Ala20] PACAP38-polyamide, a potent PACAP38 analog, in rats challenged by methacholine (MeCh). Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 inhaled respectively aerosols of saline or increasing doses of MeCh (0.5, 1, 2.12, 4.25, 8.5, 17, 34 and 68mg/L). The other groups received terbutaline (Terb) (250 µg/rat) (10-6 M), PACAP38 (50 µg/rat) (0.1 mM) or PACAP38 analog (50 µg/rat) associated to MeCh from the dose of 4.25 mg/L. Total lung resistances (RL) were recorded before and 2 min after MeCh administration by pneumomultitest equipment. MeCh administration induced a significant and a dose-dependent increase (p<0.05) of RL compared to control rats. Terb, PACAP38 and PACAP38 analog reversed significantly the MeCh-induced bronchial constriction, smooth muscle (SM) layer thickness and bronchial lumen mucus abundance. PACAP38 analog prevents effectively bronchial smooth muscle layer thickness, mucus hypersecretion and lumen decrease. Therefore, it may constitute a potent therapeutic bronchodilator.

[Congenital laryngeal cyst: an uncommon cause of stridor in neonates]

Laryngeal cyst is a rare but generally benign lesion in the larynx. It may cause stridor and life-threatening airway obstruction in early infancy. We report the case of a neonate who developed respiratory distress 24h after birth in relation with materno-fetal infection. Airway obstruction was then suspected because of stridor. A laryngeal mass was discovered at the time of intubation. The infant experienced a nosocomial infection and died on day 14 of life before any surgical treatment. Autopsy concluded in an epiglottic congenital laryngeal cyst.

A history of partial complex seizures in a 30-year-old woman

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour is an uncommon lesion of the brain characterised by a heterogeneous population of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendroglia-like cells. Most patients are young adults with a long history of drug-resistant seizures. We report a case of a 31 year-old woman with a history of severe epileptic attacks. Cerebral imaging showed a left temporal tumour measuring 4 cm in its greater dimension. After surgical intervention, histopathological examination showed a tumoural proliferation with both glial and neuronal components that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. We also describe the spectrum of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours and their histological features.

[Biliary cystadenocarcinoma: a case report disease]

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma is a rare tumour arising in a healthy liver. Prognosis is better than other malignant tumours of the liver. It frequently develops in a pre existing benign biliary cystadeonoma and usually occurs in middle-aged women. This tumour is difficult to diagnose because of the lack of specificity of clinical, biological and radiological features. We report the sonographic, computed tomographic and angiographic features of a case of biliary cystadenocarcinoma. A review of the literature is presented as well. The sonographic and CT findings suggestive of biliary cystadenocarcinoma are summarized. Treatment is surgical and diagnosis is confirmed at histopathology.

Étude du contenu en ADN nucléaire dans les nodules thyroïdiens

Thyroid nodules are frequent and sometimes they pose a diagnostic and prognostic problem. DNA ploidy study and cell cycle analysis could be of value in the distinction between benign tumors and malignant tumors. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 69 patients with different benign and neoplastic lesions were investigated. Nuclear DNA content in thyroid cells was measured after Feulgen staining using SAMBA 200 image analysis system. A diploid DNA stemline was revealed in 75% of histologically proven benign thyroid tumors (15/20) and aneuploidy was found in 57.2% of malignant tumors (28/49). There is a significant correlation between aneuploidy and extra-thyroid extension (p=0.007) and bilateral and/or mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p=0.02). In the majority of benign tumors (19/20), the proliferation index was lower than 3% (< or =3%) however, this index value was higher than 3% (>3%) in more than 83% of malignant tumors (41/49) (p<0.001). The S phase fraction analysis revealed that the threshold of 14% divide the near whole of benign and malignant tumors (p<0.001). Our findings show that in follicular lesions, proliferation index and S phase fraction study appears interesting and helpful in the distinction between benign and malignant tumors, and aneuploidy seems more interesting in prognosis evaluation of these tumors.

[Massive ovarian oedema]

Massive ovarian oedema is a rare tumor-like condition predominantly found in young women. It is considered malignant until otherwise proven because of its solid nature. The pre-operative diagnosis is very difficult. The frozen section examination can help for diagnosis and ensures conservative treatment with ovarian preservation. The authors report a case of a 23-years-old woman with right ovarian mass findings on ultrasound imaging. The diagnosis of massive ovarian oedema was made on frozen section after a right oophorectomy. Although most of reported cases has been handled by oophorectomy, the conservative treatment must be the ruler, especially since the disorder is benign and reaches the youth.

[Perianal ulceration revealing Langerhans cell histiocytosis]

Langerhansian histiocytosis is a rare and heterogenous disease. Skin localisation is common but the lesion usually have typical aspect and topography. Peri anal localisation is rare. We report a case of isolated peri anal ulceration revealing a Langerhansian histiocytosis in a young patient.

[Bilateral Leydig cell tumor of the test: a case report]

Testicular Leydig cell tumours are uncommon. Bilateral synchronous lesions are exceptional. They cause isosexual pseudo precocious puberty in childhood. The histological diagnosis of malignancy is sometimes difficult to establish and it can be made retrospectively when lymph nodes involvement or visceral metastasis appear in the follow-up. We report a case of a 9 year-old boy presenting bilateral Leydig cell tumour of the testis treated by bilateral radical orchiectomy who developed 2 years after the intervention a pulmonary metastasis.

[Diffuse pseudotumorous oncocytosis of the parotid gland. A case report]

Pseudotumorous oncocytosis of the parotid gland is very uncommon and frequently misdiagnosed since it generally presents as a true tumor. The clinical presentation and imaging features of a 6-cm diameter left parotid mass led to the diagnosis of a tumor in a 73-year-old man. At pathology examination of the partial parotidectomy specimen the "tumor" was found to be a metaplastic oncocytic lesion. We discuss the diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and etiopathogeny of this lesion.

[Esophageal mucocele: report of 2 pediatric cases]

Two cases of esophageal mucocele in pediatric patients are reported: two children of 5 and 9 years respectively underwent surgical isolation of the esophagus and esophagocoloplasty for caustic stenosis related to accidental ingestion of caustic soda. Clinical pattern of mediastinal compression was proved with cervical fistulous tract in one case. In both cases, thoracic computed tomography was a sensitive imaging method to demonstrate the mucocele and its extension. Esophageal mucocele is rarely described in children, especially following esophageal corrosive stricture.

[Hypotension, hypoglycemia and hypouricemia recorded after repeated administration of aqueous leaf extract of Olea europaea L]

This study is concerned by the determination of the toxicity of an Olea europaea L.aqueous leaf extract after repeated administrations. Female and male rats were given 37.5, 75, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 mg/Kg/24h of the extract for 60 days. The results show that the drug studied induces an increase of weight growth, an hypotension, an hypoglycaemia and an hypouricaemia in treated animals.

[Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle. Apropos of a case]

The authors report a case of mandibular condyle osteochondroma on a 33 years-old woman, similar to osteocartilaginous exostosis of the long bones. The lesion was revealed by a facial asymmetry and a change of the occlusion. The diagnosis was performed on the computed-tomography examination and histopathology. The removal of the lesion has conserved the condyle without recurrence after 20 months following-up. The authors remind the uncommonly location of osteochondroma in the facial skeleton and discuss the histogenesis of this lesion in its mandibular condyle site.