Mukta Pujani

The prevalence of irregular erythrocyte antibodies among antenatal women in Delhi

BACKGROUND Universal screening of all antenatal women, including D antigen-positive pregnant ones, is mandatory in most developed countries. However, no guidelines on this issue are available for developing countries such as India. Furthermore, there is limited information on immunisation rates in pregnant women (D antigen-positive and D antigen-negative) from India. We, therefore, studied the prevalence of alloantibodies among multigravida women in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, carried out to detect the prevalence of alloantibodies among multigravida women in India, 3,577 multigravida women attending antenatal clinics were typed for ABO and D antigens and screened for alloantibodies by column agglutination technology. The medical history and detailed obstetric history of these women were reviewed and information recorded on any prior haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn among siblings and/or blood transfusions. RESULTS The overall prevalence of alloantibodies in this study was 1.25%. There was a statistically significant difference between alloimmunisation rates in the D antigen-negative and D antigen-positive groups (10.7% versus 0.12%, respectively). Anti-D antibody contributed to 78.4% of total alloimmunisations in our study. DISCUSSION Anti-D was the most common culprit responsible for alloimmunisation. Other alloantibodies found included anti-C, anti-M, anti-S and anti-c. Large-scale population-based studies are required to assess the real magnitude of alloimmunisation in pregnant women in India.

Ectopic decidual reaction mimicking peritoneal tubercles: a report of three cases.

Ectopic decidual reaction is commonly seen in the ovary and cervix; however, peritoneal localization is rare. Peritoneal deciduosis is usually an incidental histological finding. It may present a diagnostic dilemma by mimicking grossly peritoneal carcinomatosis or tubercles and deciduoid mesothelioma, microscopically. We report three cases of ectopic decidual reaction discovered incidentally during caesarian sections, as whitish yellow nodules resembling tubercles. Histology revealed extensive decidualisation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ectopic decidua mimicking peritoneal tubercles.

Correlation of serology with morphological changes in gastric biopsy in Helicobacter pylori infection and evaluation of immunohistochemistry for H. pylori identification

Background/Aim: Helicobacter pylori is implicated in various gastroduodenal diseases and many tests are available for its detection. The present study attempted to document the morphological changes in the gastric mucosa induced by H. pylori colonization and correlate them with the severity of the infection. The study also compared various diagnostic tests and evaluated the different staining methods used for H. pylori detection, especially immunohistochemical identification. Patients and Methods: One hundred and two patients with dyspepsia were included. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) was used. Rapid urease test was performed on endoscopic biopsy and it was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), modified Giemsa, and immunohistochemical stains. Results: A significant correlation was found between the density of H. pylori and severity of gastritis. A significant correlation was observed between serology (especially when used in combination, IgG and IgA) and status of H. pylori. Immunohistochemical staining enhanced the diagnostic yield of H. pylori detection. Conclusions: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) should be used judiciously, whereas simple and economical tests like modified Giemsa should be used routinely for the detection of H. pylori. Combined ELISA (IgG and IgA) should be preferred over single ELISA. Simultaneous morphological and serological detection of H. pylori is preferable as H. pylori may not be detected on morphology alone due to its patchy distribution in the stomach.

Abnormal WBC scattergram: a clue to the diagnosis of malaria

Abstract Objective Malaria is highly prevalent and endemic in tropical countries and carries a significant health burden. The detection of malaria by light microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears is the gold standard. There are many hematological abnormalities associated with malaria like anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leucopenia; however, none of these abnormalities are specific. The present study was undertaken to assess the utility of WBC scattergram in predicting the diagnosis of malaria. Methods In this study all cases diagnosed as Plasmodium vivax/Plasmodium falciparum infection on peripheral smear examination were included. Their complete blood counts and WBC scattergrams obtained from XT2000i were critically evaluated. Accordingly, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value of detection of malaria by abnormal WBC scattergram with and without abnormal blood counts were also calculated. Results A total of 2251 ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid samples were run on XT2000i hematology autoanalyzer. Out of these 148 cases of malaria were diagnosed on peripheral smear (128 P. vivax and 20 P. falciparum). While analyzing the WBC scattergrams, 233 cases including 124 (83.8%) malaria cases showed different abnormalities. Sensitivity and PPV for the diagnosis of malaria by abnormal WBC scattergram were 83.78 and 53.20%, respectively. This had increased to 98.60 and 57.25%, respectively, when cytopenias were included. Discussion Sysmex XT-2000i is capable of detecting specific abnormalities in WBC scattergram in patients with malaria. Therefore, the presence of an abnormal WBC scattergram with thrombocytopenia in a febrile patient helps the pathologist to clinch the diagnosis of malaria.

Multiple disseminated abdominal hydatidosis presenting with gross hydatiduria: a rare case report.

Cystic hydatid disease may develop in almost any part of the body. Approximately 70% of the hydatid cysts are located in the liver followed by the lung (25%). The kidneys, spleen, mesentry, peritoneum, soft tissues and brain are uncommon locations for hydatid cysts. Renal involvement in echinococcosis is extremely rare. Hydatiduria accompanies only 10-20% of all cases of renal hydatidosis and is usually microscopic. Gross hydatiduria is an exceptional presentation of hydatidosis. We report an exceptionally rare case of multiple hydatidosis with cysts in the liver, spleen, kidney and peritoneal cavity, presenting with gross hydatiduria.

Alloimmunisation in thalassaemics: a comparison between recipients of usual matched and partial better matched blood. An evaluation at a tertiary care centre in India.

BACKGROUND There is an ongoing controversy regarding provision of usually matched blood (i.e. matched for ABO-D antigens) or phenotypically matched blood (also matched for Rh and Kell antigens) for multiply transfused thalassaemics, especially in developing countries. A pilot study conducted at our centre revealed an alloimmunisation rate of 3.79% with Rh and Kell alloantibodies accounting for 90% of all antibodies. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the impact of a policy of partial better matching (for Rh cDE and Kell antigens) of blood on alloimmunisation in thalassaemics. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study three groups of patients were considered. Group 1 comprised 211 thalassaemics who received usually matched (UM) blood until April 2009. Their rates of alloimmunisation have already been published in a prior study. Group 2 consisted of 46 thalassaemics who were enrolled after April 2009 and have received partially better matched (PBM) blood (matched for ABO, Rh cDE and Kell antigens) since the initiation of transfusion therapy. Group 3 (UM→PBM) comprised the patients from group 1 who, from April 2009, were given partial better matched blood. Antibody screening (using a 3-cell panel) and antibody identification (11-cell panel) were carried out to detect the presence of alloantibodies. RESULTS None of the thalassaemic patients in group 2 (PBM) developed alloantibodies. Eight thalassaemics in group 3 (UM→PBM) developed new alloantibodies (after April 2009). DISCUSSION According to the results of the present study, providing at least partially better matched blood appears to improve the efficacy of transfusion for chronically transfused thalassaemics. Large-scale, comprehensive, multicentre studies need to be carried out to formulate realistic, evidence-based, economically feasible transfusion policies for thalassaemic children based on the red blood cell antigen profile of the population.

Idiopathic eosinophilic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis: a report of two cases.

Abstract Eosinophilic cholecystitis is a rare entity diagnosed on the basis of classical presentation of cholecystitis with presence of more than 90% eosinophilic infiltration within the gall bladder. The etiology of eosinophilic cholecystitis still remains obscure. However it is frequently associated with other more severe diseases like hypereosinophilic syndrome, eosinophilic-myalgia syndrome, parasitic infestations, few herbal medicines and certain drugs. We report two cases who presented with gall stone disease, which on histopathological evaluation was diagnosed as eosinophilic cholecystitis. Retrospective analysis of their case histories and investigation did not reveal any known etiology. These cases are being reported because of their rarity and to highlight the importance of complete workup to rule out other associated disorders that may be a manifestation of a more severe disease. ÖZ Eozinofilik kolesistit, safra kesesinde klasik kolesistit tablosu yanı sıra, %90’nın üzerinde eozinofilik lökosit infiltrasyonu ile tanı konan nadir bir antitedir. Eozinofilik kolesistitin etiyolojisi hala açık değildir. Bununla birlikte hipereozinofilik sendrom, eozinofili-miyalji sendromu, parazitik enfestasyonlar, bitkisel tıp veya diğer bazı ilaçların kullanımı gibi daha ciddi hastalıklarla da sıklıkla ilişkilidir. Safra kesesi taşı ile gelen ve histopatolojik inceleme ile eozinofilik kolesistit tanısı verilen iki olgu sunulmaktadır. Olguların özgeçmişlerinin retrospektif incelemesi ve klinik araştırmalar özel bir etiyoloji ortaya koymamıştır. Olgular, hastalığın nadir görülen bir antite olması ve ilişkili olabileceği daha ciddi hastalıkların dışlanabilmesi sürecindeki çalışmanın önemini ortaya koymak amacıyla sunulmuştur.

Microfilaria in malignant pleural effusion: an unusual association.

Lymphatic filariasis is common in tropical countries and is endemic in India. Filariasis presenting with pleural effusion is an unusual presentation. Malignancy in association of filarial pleural effusion is extremely rare. We report a case of a 60-year-old female who presented with chest pain, loss of weight and breathlessness for a few months. Pleural fluid examination revealed malignant cells, along with microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti.

A case of leiomyosarcoma of kidney clinically and radiologically misdiagnosed as renal cell carcinoma.

Our patient was initially diagnosed to have liver abscesses. Although amoebic liver abscess is the predominant cause of liver abscess in India, hepatocellular carcinoma with necrosis and metastatic colonic cancer with central necrosis need consideration in the differential diagnosis. Only one case of PHL mimicking liver abscess[3] has been reported earlier. Lymphomas may cause portal venous obstruction either by direct infiltration, extrinsic compression at the porta by lymph nodes, tumor thrombus of the portal vein or by a hypercoagulable state. Direct portal infiltration was probably the cause in the present case. PHL causing portal venous obstruction has not been reported, although tumor thrombus in the portal vein has been described in patients with secondary lymphoma.[4]

Spindle cell lipoma masquerading as lipomatous pleomorphic adenoma: A diagnostic dilemma on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Spindle cell lipoma is a relatively uncommon benign adipocytic tumor that usually presents in subcutaneous fat of adult men. These are a rare form of lipoma, accounting for 1.5% of all lipomatous tumors, with a low rate of local recurrence and no risk of malignant behavior/dedifferentiation. Although few studies addressing the histological findings of spindle cell lipoma have been described, only a few descriptions of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings have been documented in literature. We present a case of a 55-year-old male with a nodular swelling over left cheek (in the parotid region), which due to its location as well as prominent myxoid background prompted us to include the lipomatous salivary gland lesions in differential diagnosis. Our objective is to document and delineate the characteristic cytological features of spindle cell lipoma, which may permit a confident diagnosis on FNAC smears.