Danny R. Sawyer

A morphologic study of opportunistic cerebral toxoplasmosis

SummaryThe morphology of toxoplasma and its interaction with the cellular elements of the brain were studied in a patient who died of extensive cerebral toxoplasmosis superimposed on Hodgkins disease. The cerebral lesions were devoid of inflammatory cellular response and contained numerous organisms mostly in isolated multiplying forms in neurons, glia and vascular walls. Encysted forms containing multiplying organisms were seen infrequently. Intracellular parasite was identified in normal-appearing neuropil. The mode of multiplication and cyst formation of toxoplasma appeared basically similar to that described under experimental conditions. In addition, a rapid evolution of the cerebral lesions was suggested by computerized tomography. This study suggests that tissue necrosis in human cerebral toxoplasmosis is the result of an increased rate of multiplication and enhanced cellular invasiveness of the parasite most likely related to impaired cellular immunity as has been postulated by clinical and experimental data.

Two probable cases of a depression in the mandible caused by the submandibular salivary gland in pre-columbian peruvians

Summary Two probable examples of developmental lingual mandibular salivary gland depression, the third and fourth reported in ancient population groups, are presented. It is felt that the lesion would not be rare in ancient population groups if large numbers of specimen were examined carefully using both visual and radiographic means and searching specifically for this lesion. While surgical exploration of the lesion to establish a definitive diagnosis is sometimes necessary, often diagnosis can be made clinically thus preventing needless surgery and/or treatment.

Oral squamous acanthoma. Two additional cases with comments on etiology.

Two new cases of squamous acanthoma are presented, and the their clinical characteristics are compared to the eight cases previously reported. These two additional examples of this lesion are clinically similar to those previously reported. However, one of the two cases exhibits resolution after the removal of sources of trauma, thus lending support to the previously proposed theory of traumatic etiology.