Benzathine penicillin induced immune haemolytic anaemia

Penicillin-induced immune haemolytic anaemia is very rare. A ten year-old-female with rheumatic mitral stenosis on benzathine penicillin prophylaxis presented with features of haemolytic anaemia and investigations supported the diagnosis of immune haemolytic anaemia. Patient responded to discontinuation of the drug and therapy with oral prednisolone. This is first such case reported from India.     

Bilateral granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma) of the breast in CML in blast crisis: a case report

A 35 year old lady was diagnosed as having chronic myeloid leukemia in May 1999 and thereafter started on chemotherapy. Three years later the patient presented with bilateral breast masses. FNAC from both the breast lesions showed leukemic infiltration (granulocytic sarcoma). The peripheral blood picture showed blastic transformation. Breast is an uncommon site for development of granulocytic sarcoma. We present this case because of its unusual location and bilateral nature.     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the breast

Primary malignant lymphomas of the breast (PBL) are uncommon constituting only 0.04 to 0.53% of malignant breast neoplasms. We wish to report the clinical, cytological and histologic findings of PBL diagnosed in a 52 years old female.     

Evaluation of germ tube test in various media

One of the most valuable tests for the rapid presumptive identification of Candida albicans is germ tube production. Previously researchers have concluded superior results with serum in germ tube test. However, handling of pooled human serum has danger of acquisition of hepatitis and HIV infections. Therefore, in the present study we compared various media--pooled human serum, sterile horse serum, peptone water and tryptic soy broth. It was observed that human serum remains to be the best with 100% positivity for identification of C. albicans followed by horse serum (76.3%), peptone water (61.8%) and tryptic soy broth (61.8%).     

Transmission electron microscope study of bacterial morphotypes on the anterior dorsal surface of human tongues

The human tongue has been the subject of many cytological and histological studies. When a literature search disclosed no reports of the ultrastructure of the morphotypes of bacteria residing on the tongue's surface, a transmission electron microscope study of ultrathin sections of bacteria obtained by scraping eight human tongues was undertaken. The scrapings from the anterior dorsal tongue surfaces, processed conventionally for electron microscope study, revealed 33-35 different bacterial morphotypes. Several of the morphotypes were unique to a tongue. Morphotype differences were also related to donor characteristics such as smoking, tongue site, location in centrifuge pellet, diet, and medications. The predominant morphotypes were Gram-positive cocci. These preliminary findings suggest that the microbiota of the human tongue and variations in that microbiota, related to physical condition, lifestyle, medications, and dietary preferences, merit more attention from anatomists.     

Food allergies--leads from Ayurveda

Food allergy being a common health problem needs attention. The experience of Ayurveda can be utilized to accelerate our understanding and management of food allergies and related phenomenon like allergic tension fatigue syndrome, intolerance and indigestion associated with certain foods. Prevention of food allergies by carefully selecting the foods in accordance with the individual's body constitution and seasonal alterations, is considered as the best strategy in Ayurveda. If possible, the concept of prakriti and properties of food as described in Ayurveda, should be interpreted in modern terminology. Moreover, to scientifically validate them, an appropriate correlation with modern concepts is required along with scientific studies on modern parameters. Rasayanas may also prove helpful in the management of food allergies. It is obvious that there, is an urgent need for multidimensional and planned investigations of these Ayurvedic rasayanas in management of food allergies. The clinical acceptability of rasayanas for the treatment of food allergies entirely rests on such studies. Food intolerance and allergies are common health problems which are difficult to diagnose and still more difficult to treat. This problem is well addressed in Ayurveda and guidelines are available for their management. This paper aims to present the Ayurvedic concepts in the management of food intolerance/ allergies and its correlation with the evidences available from modem scientific laboratories. The understanding of this ancient wisdom may prove to be of immense importance in patient care.     

Extraskeletal chondroma of the hand--a case report

Extraskeletal chondroma is a rare entity. A fairly benign condition, it is usually seen in adults. It presents as an enlarging mass, most commonly in the hand. Local excision is the treatment of choice. We present a case of extraskeletal chondroma of hand in a 12 year male child. Its variable histological appearance not infrequently leads to a mistaken diagnosis of chondrosarcoma.     

Immunochemical characterization of cocos nucifera pollen

The Cocos nucifera pollen, as one of the sources of allergen responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reaction, was confirmed by skin prick test, bronchial provocation test, and RAST. The whole pollen extract (WPE) of C. nucifera was fractionated by combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange columns with fast protein liquid chromatography (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Three protein peaks designated Cocos II, Cocos VI, and Cocos VII exhibited allergenic properties, as tested by skin prick test, direct IgE ELISA, bronchial provocation test, and immunoblot analysis. In RAST inhibition, Cocos IIa (a high-molecular-weight protein) obtained by fractionation of Cocos II on Mono Q column (fast protein liquid chromatography) (Pharmacia) was found to be the most potent allergen in Cocos WPE, followed by Cocos VI and Cocos VII, which are low-molecular-weight proteins. The reference patterns of Cocos WPE on crossed immunoelectrophoresis and thin-layer isoelectric focusing were established for future standardization of Cocos WPE to be used in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic patients.     

Distinct craniofacial‐skeletal‐dermatological dysplasia in a patient with W290C mutation in FGFR2

Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor genes (FGFR) have been known to be associated with many craniosynostosis syndromes with overlapping phenotypes. We studied a 15‐year‐old Thai boy with an unspecified craniosynostosis syndrome characterized by multiple suture craniosynostoses, a persistent anterior fontanel, corneal scleralization, choanal stenosis, atresia of the auditory meatus, broad thumbs and great toes, severe scoliosis, acanthosis nigricans, hydrocephalus, and mental retardation. Radiography revealed bony ankyloses of vertebral bodies of T9–12, humero‐radio‐ulnar joints, intercarpal joints, distal interphalangeal joints of fifth fingers, fibulo‐tibial joints, intertarsal joints, and distal interphalangeal joints of the first toes. The patient was a heterozygous for a 870G → T change resulting in a W290C amino acid substitution in the extracellular domain of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2). This mutation has previously been reported in a patient with severe Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 that is distinct from the craniosynostosis in our patient. These findings emphasize locus, allelic, and phenotypic heterogeneity of craniofacial‐skeletal‐dermatological syndrome due to FGFR2 mutations. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.