Max Vetner

A newborn child with karyotype 47,XX,+der(12) (12pter→12q12::8q24→8qter),t(8;12) (q24;q12) pat

SummaryA child with karyotype 47,XX,+der (12) (12pter→12q12::8q24→8qter,t(8;12) (q24;q12)pat is presented together with a survey of previously published cases of trisomy 12p.

Future trends in cervical cancer

The identification of the close association of certain types of human papillomavirus with the development of cervical cancer should lead to an extensive revision of appropriate health policies. Having taken into account the drawbacks inherent in the existing data (stemming from the use of varying nomenclature, diagnostic methods and reliability, registration and screening practices) it is possible to conclude that the incidence of HPV infections, all premalignant and malignant stages of cervical cancer are, or will soon be, increasing in several countries. This rate of increase is fastest for the younger age groups and is despite the introduction of various forms of screening. These trends therefore indicate an urgent need to adopt policies to avert an unnecessary increase in fatalities due to cervical cancer. It is therefore recommended to: (1) establish a routine diagnostic method which can identify either the type of HPV present or the lesions which are progressing; (2) determine the incidence of HPV infections in the general population; (3) disseminate to medical personnel, teachers, and other members of society existing knowledge concerning the dangers associated with this virus and relevant to preventing its further spread; (4) introduce an effective population screening campaign for all sexually active women, preferably involving a yearly examination at a colposcopy clinic; (5) intensify basic and applied HPV research, especially that which could lead to a deeper understanding of viral transmission and infection, identification of cofactors which promote cervical lesion progression, or to the production of a vaccine.

Interstitial nephritis and glomerulonephritis in visceral leishmaniasis in a dog

Renal involvement characterized by interstitial nephritis and glomerulonephritis is reported in a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a dog. Focal interstitial inflammatory infiltrates including lymphocytes and plasma cells together with collections of histiocytes containing Leishmania donovani organisms were found in the renal cortex. The glomeruli showed diffuse mesangial cell proliferation, thickening of the capillary wall and focal, segmental glomerulosclerosis. By electron microscopy, finely granular electron dense deposits were shown in subendothelial, intramembranous as well as subepithelial locations. It is suggested that the interstitial nephritis was caused by the presence of parasitic elements in the renal interstitium, whereas the glomerular involvement may have been due to deposition of antigen–antibody complexes.

The type of human papillomavirus present in cervical infections can be determined by the occurrence of specific marker proteins

Four different proteins have been identified on high resolution two dimensional gels of [35S] methionine labelled human cervical biopsies whose expression correlates with the presence of papillomavirus. They are all basic proteins having molecular weights in the region of 48 to 50 kd and are normally expressed individually in different lesions unless the lesion results from a co-infection of two virus types. Comparison of the occurrence of these marker proteins with the actual HPV type present, determined by in situ filter hybridisation, has shown that two are found exclusively with HPV types 6/11 while the other two are found with types 16/18.