Placental Malaria: Histological Findings and Immune Cell Infiltrates in Submicroscopic Infections

Abstract Most research on placental malaria is focused on microscopic infection by Plasmodium falciparum; there are very few studies on submicroscopic infection. This study aimed to assess alterations of placental tissue associated with placental malaria, to describe the immune cell populations in the placental tissue, and to explore the relationships between the histopathological changes and cell infiltrates. A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out. Women were recruited at hospital obstetric facilities in three municipalities in Northwest Colombia. The histopathological analysis was performed in a total of 132 placentas including 66 placentas with submicroscopic plasmodial infection and 66 that were negatives. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a subset of 75 placentas to determine the distribution of immune cells. Based on histology, there were more immune cells in placentas with submicroscopic plasmodial infection compared with those without infection. The quantity of syncytial knots and calcifications was greater with submicroscopic plasmodial infection, but the quantity of abruption and thrombi was greater in placentas without infection. By immunohistochemistry, we observed a significant increase of CD56+ and CD68+ cells in the infected placentas. Submicroscopic plasmodial infection in the placenta causes tissue alterations and increased immune cell infiltrates. Submicroscopic plasmodial infection is very common in Colombia and can represent a serious threat to mothers and newborns.

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Histopathological patterns of benign lesions in hysterectomy specimens

Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.3126/njog.v14i1.26628 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 48-51

Author(s):

Ujwal Rai ◽

Monasha Vaidya ◽

Gehanath Baral ◽

Smrity Mool Joshi ◽

Sunita Ray

Keyword(s):

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Uterovaginal Prolapse ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Fallopian Tubes ◽

Vaginal Route ◽

Surgical Indications ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Common ◽

Ovarian Pathology

Aims: To audit and evaluate the surgical indications, routes of surgery and types of hysterectomies performed along with histopathological analysis of those hysterectomies in respect to disease of endometrium, myometrium, cervix and fallopian tubes and ovaries for benign conditions. Methods: This is retrospective cross sectional study of all hysterectomy specimens received in the department of Pathology, B and C teaching hospital and research center, Jhapa, Birtamode, Nepal from May 2017 to May 2019. Clinical details were received from the data provided by gynecologists in histopathological requisition forms. Only specimens received for the benign indication for hysterectomy were taken. Results: Out of 115 specimens, the number was equal on both abdominal and vaginal route. The common indications were leiomyoma (60%, n=69), abnormal uterine bleeding (24%, n=28) and uterine prolapsed in 11% (n=13). Uterovaginal prolapse was seen commonest indication for hysterectomy in age group of 5th and 6th decade of life. Myometrial pathology was seen in 74% (n=75) comprising mostly of leiomyoma. Endometrial pathology was present in 14% (n=16) and chronic non-specific cervicitis in 24% (n=28). Abnormal tubo-ovarian pathology was found in 40% (n=51). Conclusions: Leiomyoma, abnormal uterine bleding and uterovaginal prolapsed are the common benign conditions undergoing hysterectomy.

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203. A differential pattern of follistatin expression in the placenta between spontaneous, induced and non-labouring patient groups

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/srb05abs203 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

K. M. Rae ◽

K. G. Hollebone ◽

L. Meng ◽

D. C. Clausen ◽

J. R. McFarlane

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽

Placental Tissue ◽

Cell Types ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Polyclonal Antiserum ◽

Antigen Retrieval ◽

Positive Staining ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chorionic Villi ◽

Patient Groups

Follistatin has been identified in human placenta, fetal membranes and fluids, with serum follistatin concentrations rising during pregnancy, particularly near term. Our laboratory has shown follistatin concentrations rise across labour in spontaneous but not induced women.1 As the placenta is a source of follistatin, this study examined placental tissues using immunohistochemistry to determine differences in follistatin localization between groups. Placental tissue was collected immediately following delivery from three groups of women at term, spontaneous onset (n = 4), induction (n = 4) and non-labouring caesarian (n = 4), and immediately formalin fixed. Antigen-retrieval immunohistochemistry using a specific chicken polyclonal antiserum (CK20) raised against a follistatin peptide (AA 121-133) or pre-immune chicken serum was performed. Positive staining of syncytiotrophoblast cells of the chorionic villi was seen in patients undergoing spontaneous labour but not in the induced and caesarian delivery group. The two labouring groups (spontaneous and induced) both showed positive staining for the vascular endothelial cells within the chorionic villi and the stratum basale, whilst the caesarian delivery group was negative for any staining within these vessels. Positive staining of Hofbauer cells was observed in both labouring groups; however, the caesarian group showed infrequent positive staining of these cell types. The differences in expression pattern in the two labouring groups (spontaneous v. induced) may be due to variations in labour lengths (6.5 v. 4.5 h, respectively); however, we would have expected a lower level of expression in the same cell types rather than the complete absence of staining. The positive follistatin staining in the syncytiotrophoblast of spontaneous patients suggests this may be the source of the rising plasma follistatin seen in this group. These differences in staining support our hypothesis that an earlier endocrine signal is absent in the induced and caesarian patient groups. (1)Rae K, Hollebone K, Clausen DC, Chetty V, McFarlane JR. (2004). A Cross-Sectional Study of Follistatin During Labour in Women. The Endocrine Societies 86th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 2004.

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Prevalence, risk factors and effects of placental malaria in the UMTH, Maiduguri, North-eastern, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.1080/01443610902878783 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 307-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

B. G. Bako ◽

B. M. Audu ◽

A. D. Geidam ◽

A. A. Kullima ◽

G. M. Ashiru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Placental Malaria ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North Eastern

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Analysis of cell-mediated immunity in people with long Covid.

10.1101/2021.06.09.21258553 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nerea Montes ◽

Èlia Domènech ◽

Silvia Guerrero ◽

B&aacuterbara Oliv&aacuten-Bl&aacutezquez ◽

Rosa Magallón-Botalla

Keyword(s):

Nk Cells ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Humoral Response ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Cell Mediated Immunity ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Persistent Symptoms

Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyse the specific immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in those affected by Long Covid (LC), attributable to T cells (cell-mediated immunity) and to carry out a parallel analysis of the humoral response and lymphocyte typing. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study of 74 patients with LC for at least 4 months since diagnosis. The collected data were: information on the COVID-19 episode and the persistent symptoms, medical history and a specific cell-mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2 through flow cytometry, assessing the release of interferon-gamma (IFN-Ɣ) by T4 lymphocytes, T8 lymphocytes and NK cells. Descriptive and comparative analyses were carried out. Results: Patients with LC had negative serology for Covid-19 in 89% of cases but 96% showed specific cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 an average of 9.5 months after infection: 89% of this response corresponded to T8 lymphocytes, 58% to NK cells, and 51% to T4 lymphocyte (20% negligibly positive). Most of them had altered immune cell typing and we found that T4 lymphocyte counts were low in 34% of cases and NK cell high in 64%. Macrophage populations were detected in the peripheral blood of 7% of them. Patients displayed a higher percentage of illnesses related to ″abnormal″ immune responses, either preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection (43%) or following it in 23% of cases. Conclusion: The immune system appears to have an important involvement in the development of LC and viral persistence could be the cause or consequence of it. Further analysis with a control group should be performed.

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GENDER, AGE, ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS, UREASE AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI: ALL UNCORRELATED WITHIN A SAMPLE OF A HIGH GASTRIC CANCER PREVALENCE POPULATION IN AMAZON

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia ◽

10.1590/s0004-2803.201900000-50 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 264-269

Author(s):

Ariney Costa de MIRANDA ◽

Cássio CALDATO ◽

Mira Nabil SAID ◽

Caio de Souza LEVY ◽

Claudio Eduardo Corrêa TEIXEIRA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Rapid Urease Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Prevalence ◽

Urease Test ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: It is widely assumed that gender, age, gastritis and Helicobacter pylori , all have some degree of correlation and, therefore, can synergistically lead to the development of gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we expected to observe the above mentioned correlation in the analysis of medical records of 67 patients of both sexes (female, n=44), mean age ± standard deviation: 41±12 years old, all from Belém (capital of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon), a city historically known as one with the highest gastric cancer prevalence in this country. METHODS: All patients were submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastric biopsy histopathological analysis and rapid urease test. All diagnoses of gastritis were recorded considering its topography, category and the degree of inflammatory activity, being associated or not associated with H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The results show that no statistically relevant associations were found among the prevalences of the observed variables. CONCLUSION: The authors hypothesize that observed risk factors associated to gastric cancer might be lesser synergistic than is usually expected.

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Persistent inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with treated acromegaly

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-19-0430 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1553-1567 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T L C Wolters ◽

C D C C van der Heijden ◽

N van Leeuwen ◽

B T P Hijmans-Kersten ◽

M G Netea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Pulse Wave ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Inflammatory Parameters ◽

Persistent Inflammation ◽

And Function

Objective Acromegaly is characterized by an excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are common in acromegaly and often persist after treatment. Both acute and long-lasting pro-inflammatory effects have been attributed to IGF1. Therefore, we hypothesized that inflammation persists in treated acromegaly and may contribute to CVD risk. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we assessed cardiovascular structure and function, and inflammatory parameters in treated acromegaly patients. Immune cell populations and inflammatory markers were assessed in peripheral blood from 71 treated acromegaly patients (with controlled or uncontrolled disease) and 41 matched controls. Whole blood (WB) was stimulated with Toll-like receptor ligands. In a subgroup of 21 controls and 33 patients with controlled disease, vascular ultrasound measurements were performed. Results Leukocyte counts were lower in patients with controlled acromegaly compared to patients with uncontrolled acromegaly and controls. Circulating IL18 concentrations were lower in patients; concentrations of other inflammatory mediators were comparable with controls. In stimulated WB, cytokine production was skewed toward inflammation in patients, most pronounced in those with uncontrolled disease. Vascular measurements in controlled patients showed endothelial dysfunction as indicated by a lower flow-mediated dilatation/nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation ratio. Surprisingly, pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity, both markers of endothelial dysfunction, were lower in patients, whereas intima-media thickness did not differ. Conclusions Despite treatment, acromegaly patients display persistent inflammatory changes and endothelial dysfunction, which may contribute to CVD risk and development of CVD.

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Histopathological Changes of Placenta Associated with Maternal Anaemia in Northeast Ethiopia: A Comparative Study

Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ejhs.v30i5. ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Teshome Gebremeskel ◽

Abay Mulu ◽

Solomon Kumbi ◽

Wondwossen Ergete

Keyword(s):

Placental Tissue ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Histopathological Changes ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Growth ◽

Maternal Anaemia ◽

Intervillous Space ◽

Terminal Villi ◽

Indirect Indicator

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy affects about half of all pregnant mothers in developing countries; it is the major causes of indirect maternal mortality. Anaemia can directly cause poor growth of fetus in utero due to inadequate oxygen flow to the placental tissue or it is indirect indicator of maternal nutritional deficiency. Mal-development of placenta is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and an important factor of fetal growth retardation. The aim of this study was to compare histopathological changes of placenta associated with maternal anaemia.METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May-June, 2018 in Dessie Referral Hospital. A total of 66 placentas (33 anaemic and 33 non-anaemic) were collected after delivery. EPI data version 4.2.0 was used to enter the data while the data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi-square and oneway ANOVA were used to analyze the data.RESULTS; In pregnancies with maternal anaemia, 75.7% of anaemic placentas terminal villi vessels were increased in number, compared to 15.1% in non-anaemic (p=0.001). Placental calcification was 72.7% in anaemic groups compared to 54% in non-anaemic groups. However, it was insignificant (p=0.12). Intervillous space was wider in anaemic compared to non-anaemic groups (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS; Chorionic villi capillaries were increased in number, and it was dilated in anaemic placenta, compared to non-anaemic. Intervillous space was significantly wider in anaemic placenta.

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PO 8458 POLYMORPHISM OF THE PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MSP-2 GENE ASSOCIATED WITH PLACENTAL MALARIA AT THE BORGOU-ALIBORI DEPARTMENTAL HOSPITAL

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A40.1-A40

Author(s):

Dossou Akpéyédjé ◽

Saadou Issifou

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Placental Malaria ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Allelic Polymorphism ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Major Health Problem ◽

Prenatal Consultation ◽

Sub Saharan

BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, malaria during pregnancy is a major health problem because it poses significant risks for the pregnant woman and the foetus. The sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes in the placenta has consequences for the mother and the foetus. This study aimed to evaluate the allelic polymorphism of the Plasmodium falciparum MSP-2 gene related to the consequences of placental malaria.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study conducted over two periods lasting six months in 2016 and 2017. The maternity center of the Hospital of Borgou-Alibori in Benin served as a framework for the study. From the 98 parturients included, placental blood samples were taken and then genotyped.ResultsUsing the MSP-2 gene as marker, the prevalence was 17, 34%. The MSP-2 gene was polymorphic with 9 distinct allelic types for both 3D7 and FC27 families (150 bp; 200 bp; 250 bp; 275 bp; 300 bp; 350 bp; 400 bp; 450 bp and 500 bp). The FC27 allelic family was predominant over the 3D7 family with 56, 25% and 43, 75% respectively. The 300 bp allelic type (50%) was predominant in the FC27 family while the 400 bp type was predominant in 3D7 family (35, 71%). 9 women had polyclonality (52,94%). The multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1, 88. The number of strains ranged 1 to 4 in infected women. In univariate analysis there was no significant relationship between MSP-2 gene polymorphism and maternofoetal consequences. The absence of prenatal consultation (p=0.0270), non-taking of IPTp/SP (p=0.0060), the occurrence of malaria in the third trimester (p=0,0364) and moderate maternal anaemia (p=0.0277) were associated with the polymorphism of MSP-2 gene. The MOI was significantly associated with parasite density of infected women.ConclusionPlasmodium falciparum MSP-2 gene was polymorphic in infected women at Parakou. Several factors related to pregnancy monitoring were associated with this genetic diversity. It is therefore essential to ensure correct follow-up of pregnancies.

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Thyroid disorders in women with abnormal uterine bleeding: a tertiary hospital based cross sectional study from Puducherry, India

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20181350 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 1532

Author(s):

Rini Ezhil ◽

Nivedita K. ◽

Fatima Shanthini N.

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Dysfunction ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Uterine Bleeding ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Thyroid Disorder ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Participants

Background: The most common complaint with which women present for gynecological consultation is abnormal uterine bleeding which may be due to varied etiology. Among non-structural causes for AUB, endocrinological disorders like thyroid dysfunction is very common. Thyroid dysfunction is often overlooked, and unnecessary hormonal or surgical interventions are performed in patients with AUB.Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study carried out in Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry between January 2017 to June 2017 for a period of 6 months and the participants were 200 women attending gynecological OPD with complaints of abnormal uterine bleeding. After obtaining a written informed consent from the participants a detailed history and complete examination including a thorough gynecological examination was performed. A transvaginal ultrasound examination to note for any structural causes for AUB was performed. Thyroid function test (FT3, FT4, TSH) was performed in all study participants and they were then categorized into euthyroid, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, subclinical hypo or hyperthyroid based on the results. After preliminary preparation all participants were subjected for an endometrial biopsy in the outpatient department and the tissue obtained was sent for histopathological analysis. All the information was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS 22 version with descriptive and inferential statistics (chi square test). A p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Heavy menstrual bleeding was the most common menstrual abnormality found in 85% of the study participants.77% had structural causes for AUB whereas 23% had non-structural causes. 79.5% of the patients with AUB were euthyroid whereas 20.5% had some form of thyroid dysfunction. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid dysfunction (15.5%) in this study followed by hypothyroidism (3.5%). Only 1.5% of patients had hyperthyroidism. In the present study no, significant association was found between any particular thyroid dysfunction and specific menstrual pattern or endometrial pattern in histopathology.Conclusions: Testing and treating for thyroid disorder would prove to be cost effective in patients with AUB particularly with nonstructural causes as it would avoid many costly interventions done for AUB.

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LAG3(LAG-3,CD223) DNA methylation correlates with LAG3 expression by tumor and immune cells, immune cell infiltration, and overall survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-000552 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e000552 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Niklas Klümper ◽

Damian J Ralser ◽

Emma Grace Bawden ◽

Jenny Landsberg ◽

Romina Zarbl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Clear Cell ◽

Immune Cell Infiltration ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Immune Cell Infiltrates

BackgroundLymphocyte activating 3 (LAG3, LAG-3, CD223) is a promising target for immune checkpoint inhibition in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (KIRC). The aim of this study was to investigate the epigenetic regulation ofLAG3in KIRC by methylation.MethodsWe correlated quantitativeLAG3methylation levels with transcriptional activity, immune cell infiltration, and overall survival in a cohort of n=533 patients with KIRC and n=160 normal adjacent tissue (NAT) samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Furthermore, we analyzedLAG3methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and KIRC cell lines. We validated correlations between LAG3 expression, immune cell infiltrates, survival, and methylation in an independent KIRC cohort (University Hospital Bonn (UHB) cohort, n=118) by means of immunohistochemistry and quantitative methylation-specific PCR.ResultsWe found differential methylation profiles among PBMCs, NAT, KIRC cell lines, and KIRC tumor tissue. Methylation strongly correlated with LAG3 mRNA expression in KIRCs (TCGA cohort) and KIRC cell lines. In the UHB cohort, methylation correlated with LAG3-positive immune cells and tumor-intrinsic LAG3 protein expression. Furthermore,LAG3methylation strongly correlated with signatures of distinct immune cell infiltrates, an interferon-y signature (TCGA cohort), and immunohistochemically quantified CD45+, CD8+, and CD4+immune cell infiltrates (UHB cohort). LAG3 mRNA expression (TCGA cohort), methylation (both cohorts), and tumor cell-intrinsic protein expression (UHB cohort) was significantly associated with overall survival.ConclusionOur data suggest an epigenetic regulation of LAG3 expression in tumor and immune cells via DNA methylation. LAG3 expression and methylation is associated with a subset of KIRCs showing a distinct clinical course and immunogenicity. Our study provides rationale for further testingLAG3DNA methylation as a predictive biomarker for response to LAG3 immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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