A. Olufemi Williams

Pathology of schistosomiasis of the uterine cervix due to S. haematobium

Abstract The pathologic changes associated with infection of the uterine cervix and endometrium by S. haematobium are discussed using materials from cervical and endometrial biopsies from 14 women in the southern provinces of Nigeria. The variety of lesions and clinical symptoms are emphasized and three principal forms of lesions are described in detail. The over-all frequency of the schistosome infection of the uterus and endometrium cannot be accurately estimated but there appears to be relative rarity of infection of the latter site. Schistosome infection of the endometrium may be associated with abortion and tuberculosis. The presence of ova in choriocarcinoma and other tumors are discussed but there seems to be inadequate evidence to support a possible association between schistosomiasis of the genital tract and malignancy, as already established in the case of the bladder.

Cerebral atherosclerosis and its relationship to selected diseases in Nigerians: a pathological study.

Factors which are known to be associated with cerebral atherosclerosis were evaluated in Nigerian Africans. Of 465 autopsied adult Nigerians, 62 (13%) had cerebral atherosclerosis. The frequency and severity of atherosclerosis among Nigerians with hypertension, particularly male subjects, were higher than in normotensives. Although there was a similar frequency of hypertension among autopsied Nigerian and Minnesota Caucasian populations, the severity and extent of atherosclerosis were greater in the Minnesota population. The relatively short duration of hypertension in the Nigerian before death might be an important factor which did not permit progressive development of cerebral atherosclerosis. Other factors which predisposed the Nigerian to increased frequency and severity of atherosclerosis included increased heart weight and diabetes mellitus. The relatively low frequency of cerebrovascular disease in the Nigerian may be explained on the basis of a low degree of cerebral atherosclerosis and relatively short duration of hypertension.

Malignant disease of the colon, rectum and anal canal in Ibadan, Western Nigeria

SummaryMalignant tumors of the large intestine and anal canal, excluding lymphomas, account for about 3 per cent of all malignant tumors in patients in Ibadan. This paper analyzes 166 histologically confirmed cases, seen in biopsy and autopsy material over a period of eight years. The most common tumors encountered in the large intestines and anal canal are well-differentiated adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas. The youngest patient with carcinoma of the colon was 17 years old and the youngest with anal carcinoma was 25 years old. The average age of patients with these tumors seems to be lower than those reported by others. In Ibadan, intestinal tumors are not as common as tumors of the cervix uteri, breast and liver, but are more common than prostatic cancer. In our experience with hospitalized patients, they do not account for a significant proportion of cancer deaths. Analysis of the segmental distribution of colonic and rectal tumors reveals no predilection for the right half of the colon in women. The colon/rectum ratio is about 1.2 to 1, and the sex ratio for both sites is about 1:1. There is a preponderance of women with anal carcinoma, the sex ratio being 12:1.It is suggested that the low incidence of intestinal neoplasms may be attributable to a low incidence of potentially malignant intestinal conditions such as polyposis coli and ulcerative colitis.

Choriocarcinoma in Ibadan: clinicopathologic studies.

The host tissue reaction to choriocarcinoma was studied in 81 Nigerian patients. A mononuclear cellular reaction, observed in about 42 per cent of the patients, was composed mainly of lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, and eosinophils in varying quantities around tumor deposits. No correlation was found between the survival of the patients and the intensity of the cellular reaction. Late presentation by our patients for medical advice and treatment may partly account for the relatively poor response to chemotherapy. The syncytiotrophoblast appears to play a primary role in vascular invasion by the neoplastic trophoblast.

Malignant leiomyoma of the rectum

SummaryMalignant leiomyoma of the rectum is a rare lesion and is an infrequent cause of rectal bleeding. A case of malignant leiomyoma of the rectum in a Nigerian woman is described. Usually these tumors are small and are not associated with ulceration and bleeding, but the case herein reported differs in these respects. This tumor was treated by wide removal and the patient’s progress was uneventful.

Lipid Composition of Cerebral Vessels in American Negroes, Caucasians and Nigerian Africans: A Comparative Study

The lipid content of cerebral vessels from American Negroes, Caucasians and Nigerian Africans living in urban areas was chemically quantitated. There are significant differences between the total and free cholesterol content of the vessels among the three population groups. The American Negroes have the greatest amount of cerebral vascular cholesterol compared with American Caucasians and Nigerians. This confirms previous morphological observations that the severity and extent of cerebral atherosclerosis are greater in American Negroes than in American Caucasians and Africans. However, there is no significant difference in the phospholipid content of the cerebral vessels except among the female Negro groups. Chemical quantitation of lipids in vessels may be utilized for assessment of degree of atherosclerosis and may prove to be an acceptable and reliable alternative methodology for epidemiological studies.

Trace Metal Content of Cerebral Vessels in American Blacks, Caucasians and Nigerian Africans

Trace metal contents of cerebral vessels in age-matched and sex-matched subjects from three population groups were estimated. The trace metals estimated included calcium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron. The American blacks in Washington, D.C., who are ethnologically related to Nigerian Africans, have different patterns of trace metal contents in their cerebral vessels and the observed levels also differed in some respects from Minnesota Caucasians living in a similar environment. The greatest amounts of calcium, zinc, and copper were found in the vessels of American blacks while the greatest amount of magnesium was found in vessels of Minnesota Caucasians. There was no statistically significant difference in the manganese content of the cerebral vessels in the three population groups. Nigerian Africans had the least amounts of copper and magnesium but had the highest iron content. A similar high level of iron was observed in the vessels of American blacks. Since it has been shown that American blacks have the most extensive and severe degree of atherosclerosis among the three population groups, it would appear that iron, calcium and manganese in the cerebral vessels may not directly relate to the severity of cerebral atherosclerosis. Relatively high levels of copper and magnesium, which were observed in the cerebral vessels of American blacks and Caucasians, may be of significance in the pathogenesis of cerebral atherosclerosis. The low levels of the trace metals in Nigerians may be protective. The possible role of zinc requires further studies.

Lipid and trace metal content in coronary arteries of Nigerian Africans.

Abstract The lipid composition and trace element contents of coronary arteries in Nigerian Africans have been estimated. Phospholipids increased with age in the male coronary arteries and chromium decreased with age in the males. Significant reduction of arterial copper was observed in both males and females. Comparisons of lipid composition of aortic intima and coronary arteries were also carried out. The possible roles of lipids and trace metals in atherogenesis are discussed.

Cerebral changes in monkeys with carbon tetrachloride intoxication

SummarySix rhesus monkeys were given repeated doses of carbon tetrachloride with a view to producing cirrhosis. Although their livers showed slight centizonal necrosis and diffuse fatty infiltration, cirrhosis was not observed. However, neuropathological changes, similar to those already reported in man, were noted in all six monkeys.