Infertility in dairy cows – Possible bacterial and viral causes

In this research uterine swab and biopsy samples were collected from 40 infertile dairy cows kept at five dairy cattle farms in Hungary. Samples were tested for bacteria including Coxiella burnetii chlamydiae, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, and for the viruses Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Chlamydiaceae DNA was detected by real-time PCR in 22/40 (55%) samples. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 3/40 (7.5%) cases by real-time PCR. Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma DNA was found in 2/40 (5%) and 4/40 (10%) cows, respectively. BVD and BoHV-1 DNA was not detected in any samples. Escherichia coli as a recognised uterine pathogen was found in two cases. The following potential uterine pathogens were found: Bacillus licheniformis (one case), non- haemolytic streptococci (five cases), Histophilus somni (two cases) and Candida krusei (two cases). Blood samples were collected at same time as swab samples from all 40 cows, and their examination for C. burnetii antibodies by ELISA revealed seropositivity in 26/40 cows (65%). Histological examination of the uterine biopsy samples showed the presence of mild lympho-histiocytic infiltration in the mucosain 22 cases (59%). Moderatelympho-histiocytic infiltration of the endometrium was evident in 13 cases (35%), while in two cases (6%) severe inflammatory cell infiltration of the endometrium with lympho-histiocytes and neutrophil granulocytes was found. Although no statistical correlation could be demonstrated between the severity of histological lesions of the endometrium and the uterine pathogenicity of the bacteria (P = 0.8555), endometritis of a certain severity grade and/or a recognised or potential uterine pathogen were found in all samples. The latter may play a role in the development of infertility either collectively or independently.

Investigation of the clinical significance and pathological features of lanthanum deposition in the gastric mucosa

Background: There are often specific endoscopic findings caused by deposition of lanthanum (La) in the gastric mucosa of patients taking lanthanum carbonate (LaC), a novel phosphate binder for patients on hemodialysis. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the clinical significance of La deposition in the gastric mucosa, and the association between endoscopic features and histologic findings in the same population.Methods: We compared background factors in patients taking LaC with and without La deposition in their gastroscopic biopsy specimen. We also investigated the relationship between gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens with La deposition and the concurrent endoscopic images.Results: There was a significant difference in the total dose of LaC between the La-positive and La-negative groups (990 g [180–3150 g] vs. 480 g [225–1328 g]; p=0.013). In 27 biopsy specimens with specific whitish mucosa, 10 showed mild histiocytic infiltration and 17 showed severe infiltration. In contrast, among 24 specimens with non-whitish mucosa, 5 showed no histiocytic infiltration, 10 showed mild infiltration, and 9 showed severe infiltration. There was a significant relationship between endoscopic features and the degree of histiocytic infiltration (p=0.026).Conclusions: We demonstrated that La deposition in the gastric mucosa depended on the total dose of LaC and was not affected by background factors. The specific endoscopic features of La deposition are associated with the infiltration of histiocytes, which represents the body’s normal response to foreign bodies.

Investigation of the clinical significance and pathological features of lanthanum deposition in the gastric mucosa

Background There are often specific endoscopic findings caused by deposition of lanthanum (La) in the gastric mucosa of patients taking lanthanum carbonate (LaC), a novel phosphate binder for patients on hemodialysis. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the clinical significance of La deposition in the gastric mucosa, and the association between endoscopic features and histologic findings in the same population. Methods We compared background factors in patients taking LaC with and without La deposition in their gastroscopic biopsy specimen. We also investigated the relationship between gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens with La deposition and the concurrent endoscopic images. Results There was a significant difference in the total dose of LaC between the La-positive and La-negative groups (990 g [180–3150 g] vs. 480 g [225–1328 g]; p = 0.013). In 27 biopsy specimens with specific whitish mucosa, 10 showed mild histiocytic infiltration and 17 showed severe infiltration. In contrast, among 24 specimens with non-whitish mucosa, 5 showed no histiocytic infiltration, 10 showed mild infiltration, and 9 showed severe infiltration. There was a significant relationship between endoscopic features and the degree of histiocytic infiltration (p = 0.026). Conclusions We demonstrated that La deposition in the gastric mucosa depended on the total dose of LaC and was not affected by background factors. The specific endoscopic features of La deposition are associated with the infiltration of histiocytes, which represents the body’s normal response to foreign bodies. Trial registry The protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000038929, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000044393).

Investigation of the clinical significance and pathological features of lanthanum deposition in the gastric mucosa

Background: There are often specific endoscopic findings caused by deposition of lanthanum (La) in the gastric mucosa of patients taking lanthanum carbonate (LaC), a novel phosphate binder for patients on hemodialysis. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the clinical significance of La deposition in the gastric mucosa, and the association between endoscopic features and histologic findings in the same population.Methods: We compared background factors in patients taking LaC with and without La deposition in their gastroscopic biopsy specimen. We also investigated the relationship between gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens with La deposition and the concurrent endoscopic images.Results: There was a significant difference in the total dose of LaC between the La-positive and La-negative groups (990 g [180–3150 g] vs. 480 g [225–1328 g]; p=0.013). In 27 biopsy specimens with specific whitish mucosa, 10 showed mild histiocytic infiltration and 17 showed severe infiltration. In contrast, among 24 specimens with non-whitish mucosa, 5 showed no histiocytic infiltration, 10 showed mild infiltration, and 9 showed severe infiltration. There was a significant relationship between endoscopic features and the degree of histiocytic infiltration (p=0.026).Conclusions: We demonstrated that La deposition in the gastric mucosa depended on the total dose of LaC and was not affected by background factors. The specific endoscopic features of La deposition are associated with the infiltration of histiocytes, which represents the body’s normal response to foreign bodies. The protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000038929).

Massive Perivillous Fibrin Deposition and Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis of a Placenta: Rare co-existence

Introduction/Objective Massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD) and chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) of the placenta are both very rare entities individually. They both are associated with reccurent loss of the fetus. Methods Here we report a placenta with coexisting MPFD and CHI. Patient is a 24-year-old African American female who has a history of spontaneous abortion at the 10th week when she was 18. Her latest pregnancy is complicated by intrauterine growth retardation and she eventually losses the fetus at 20th week of gestation. Results Histopathology reveals extensive fibrin deposition of the perivillous area and the histiocytic infiltration of the intervillous spaces which is highlighted by CD68 staining. Conclusion This is the second literature report of a co-occurrence of MPFD and CHI to our knowledge. Pathologists must be familiar with these entities and inform the obstetricians because these placental lesions often result with recurrent loss of fetus.

Investigation of the Clinical Significance and Pathological Features of Lanthanum Deposition in the Gastric Mucosa

Background: There are often specific endoscopic findings caused by deposition of lanthanum (La) in the gastric mucosa of patients taking lanthanum carbonate (LaC), a novel phosphate binder for patients on hemodialysis. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the clinical significance of Ladeposition in the gastric mucosa, and the association between endoscopic features and histologic findings in the same population.Methods:We compared background factors in patients taking LaC with and without Ladeposition in their gastroscopic biopsy specimen. We also investigated the relationship between gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens with Ladeposition and the concurrent endoscopic images.Results:There was a significant difference in the total dose of LaC between the La-positive and La-negative groups(990 g [180–3150 g] vs. 480 g [225–1328 g]; p=0.013). In 27 biopsy specimens with specific whitish mucosa, 10 showed mild histiocytic infiltration and 17 showed strong infiltration. In contrast, among 24 specimens with non-whitishmucosa, five showed no histiocytic infiltration, 10 showed mild infiltration, and nine showed strong infiltration. There was a significant relationship between endoscopic features and the degree of histiocytic infiltration (p=0.026).Conclusions: We demonstrated that Ladeposition in the gastric mucosa depended on the total dose of LaC and was not affected by background factors. The specific endoscopic features of Ladeposition are associated with the infiltration of histiocytes, which represents the body’s normal response to foreign bodies.The protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000038929).

An Autopsy Case of a 5-Year-Old Child with Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis-like Necrotizing Vasculitis

In children, acute pancreatitis has been reported in IgA vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, systemic lupus erythematosus-associated vasculitis, and juvenile dermatomyositis-associated vasculitis. However, its frequency in these vasculitides has been shown to be low. In other childhood-onset vasculitides, acute pancreatitis is seldom reported. The patient was a 5-year-old Japanese boy who suddenly presented with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Therapy with antiulcer drugs successfully stopped bleeding, but subsequently, high fever, leukocytosis, and hypoxia appeared. He died 12 days after he presented with GI bleeding. An autopsy unexpectedly revealed that necrotizing vasculitis with marked eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas led to acute pancreatitis, and gastric ulcer with eosinophilic infiltration was shown to be the origin of GI bleeding. In addition, eosinophilic infiltration was found in the small intestine, lungs, and bone marrow. Necrotizing vasculitis with eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas, eosinophilic infiltration of the airway wall, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis with gastric ulcer were histologically confirmed, suggesting that the present case may be an early stage of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis- (EGPA-) like vasculitis. To our knowledge, this might be the first reported case of EGPA-like vasculitis presenting with acute pancreatitis in a child.

Barium sulphate aspiration pneumonia in a cat with megaesophagus and dextroposition of the aortic arch: case report

ABSTRACT A six-month-old female cat suffered aspiration of an abundant amount of barium sulfate during a radiographic procedure for the diagnosis of megaesophagus. Latero-lateral contrast radiography revealed severe dilation of the thoracic esophagus cranial to the base of the heart. Persistence of the right aortic arch was suspected and later confirmed during corrective surgery. Accumulation of barium sulfate, used as a contrast agent, was clearly observed in the lumen of the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli in the radiographic image. Days after the surgery, the animal developed severe respiratory distress, which resulted in death. Cytology results and histology analysis using polarized light demonstrated that the lumen of bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli exhibited evident histiocytic infiltration with cytoplasm filled by abundant amorphous refractive granular material consistent with barium sulfate. In this report, we describe the anatomical, cytological, histopathological (using polarized light), and x-ray findings of a case of barium sulfate aspiration pneumonia in a cat resulting from the use of this contrast medium for the diagnosis of megaesophagus secondary to persistent right aortic arch.

What Lies Behind A Pleurisy?

Erdheim-Chester syndrome, a non-Langerhans histiocytosis, is a very rare disease, in the present approximately 500 cases being reported in literature. It is characterized by the histiocytic infiltration of various organs and systems, therefore clinical signs and symptoms are miscellaneous. Despite that, there are a few patognomonic elements that help recognizing the disease: symmetrical involvement in the long bones of the lower limbs, bilateral perirenal infiltration (“hairy kidneys”) and circumferential aortic infiltration (“coated aorta”). However, in order to confirm the diagnosis, biopsy is required, histopathologic examination revealing “foamy” histiocytes. Currently, interferon alpha serves as the first line of treatment, most literature data showing that it might improve survival rate in patients diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester syndrome.

The effect of paclitaxel (taxol) on the reproductive system and the semen parameters as well as on other organs of male rats.

The effect of the administration of paclitaxel on the male reproductive organs as well as on several semen parameters and other organs of Wis tar rats was studied. To 14 weeks old rats 12,4 mg paclitaxel/kg b.w.were administered i.p. once a week for 4 weeks. Six days after the last injection of paclitaxel ten animals, five (n=5) test (group Al) and five control animals (group A2) were sacrificed. Another ten animals, five (n=5) test (group Bl) and five (n=5) control animals (group B2) were sacrificed eleven weeks after the last injection of paclitaxel. The weights of the testes, the epididymis and the prostate gland of the test animals (group Al) were decreased as compared to the control animals (group A2). The number and the motility of the test animal spermatozoa were decreased, and many of them were abnormal. Histologically, the dividing cells and round spermatids were most affected. Leydig cells appeared degenerated. The epithelium of the ductucs epididymis was cuboidal and cell microvilli were absent. There was infiltration of neutrophils. The prostate gland was cystic with degeneration and desquamation of the epithelial cells. In the adrenals cellular degeneration and histiocytic infiltration were observed. In the spleen myeloid metaplasis and in the liver local allergic reaction around the interlobular bile ducts were observed. The weights of the testes, the epididymis and the prostate glands of the test animals (group Bl) were normal as compared with the control animals (group B2). The sperm motility was also normal but the number of spermatozoa was still decreased as compared with the control animals (group B2). Histologically, all examined organs were similar to those of the control animals.