A leg ulcer as manifestation of metastatic squamous cell vaginal carcinoma

Cutaneous metastasis of vaginal carcinoma is extremely rare. So far, the total number of reported skin metastasis of vaginal carcinoma is only one. We present another case with an unusual manifestation of vagina carcinoma metastasis: skin metastasis presenting as a leg ulcer on the lower leg.     

Localization of a gene for otosclerosis to chromosome 15q25-q26

Among white adults otosclerosis is the single most common cause of hearing impairment. Although the genetics of this disease are controversial, the majority of studies indicate autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. We studied a large multi- generational family in which otosclerosis has been inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Five of16 affected persons have surgically confirmed otosclerosis; the remaining nine have a conductive hearing loss but have not undergone corrective surgery. To locate the disease- causing gene we completed genetic linkage analysis using short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) distributed over the entire genome. Multipoint linkage analysis showed that only one genomic region, on chromosome 15q, generated a lod score >2.0. Additional STRPs were typed in this area, resulting in a lod score of 3.4. STRPs FES (centromeric) and D15S657 (telomeric) flank the 14. 5 cM region that contains an otosclerosis gene.      

Peritoneal fluid concentrations of interleukin-8 in women with endometriosis: relationship to stage of disease

There is increasing evidence that immunological mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. It was therefore of interest to study interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine, in the peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood of women undergoing laparoscopic procedures. The presence and concentrations of IL-8 in relation to endometriosis, infertility and abdominal pain were evaluated. Samples of peritoneal fluid (n = 49) and peripheral blood (n = 50) were obtained from 50 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for various gynaecological indications (abdominal pain, infertility, sterilization). IL-8 was present in the peritoneal fluid of most women (87%). The concentration of IL-8 in the peritoneal fluid was higher in women with endometriosis compared to women without (P = 0.02). This difference was more pronounced in early (stage 1) endometriosis (P = 0.001). IL-8 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid were also higher in women with early endometriosis compared to women with later stages of the disease (P = 0.003). Peripheral blood concentrations did not correlate with peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL-8 and/or the presence of endometriosis. We conclude that IL-8 is an important factor that may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis possibly by promoting neovascularization. This information can be a guide in the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of endometriosis.      

Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin: intoxication of host cells by bacterial invasion.

Bordetella pertussis produces extracytoplasmic adenylate cyclase toxin (AC toxin) which penetrates target cells and, upon activation by host calmodulin, generates high levels of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP). As a result, bactericidal functions of immune effector cells are impaired. Since a considerable amount of AC toxin is associated with the bacterium, it was proposed that the toxin may be delivered by direct interaction of the organism with the target cells (E. L. Hewlett, M. C. Gray, and R. D. Pearson, Clin. Res. 35:477A, 1987). Incubation of CHO cells with intact B. pertussis led to formation of intracellular cAMP at levels comparable to those produced in CHO cells by equivalent activities of isolated AC toxin. cAMP accumulation induced by the whole bacteria appeared after a lag of 40 to 60 min and reached high levels within 2 to 3 h, whereas adherence of the bacteria proceeded rapidly and reached a maximal level within 80 min. Sera of pertussis patients completely blocked cAMP accumulation induced by the whole bacteria without having a major effect on either bacterial adherence or cAMP production by the AC toxin. Cytochalasins B and D, inhibitors of bacterial invasion, abrogated the cAMP response to the whole bacteria but not the response to the AC toxin. These agents did not affect bacterial adherence. Transmission electron micrographs revealed that B. pertussis, within the time course of cAMP induction, invaded CHO cells. We suggest that cAMP induction by B. pertussis is caused by the entry of the whole bacteria into CHO cells rather than by delivery of AC toxin during bacterial adherence. This route of cell intoxication may be relevant to the pathogenesis of whooping cough.