DP - Departamento de Patologia
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing DP - Departamento de Patologia by Title
Now showing 1 - 10 of 78
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- 17-Week Delay Surgery after Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer with Complete Pathological ResponsePublication . Santos, M.; Gomes, M.; Moreno, F.; Rocha, A.; Lopes, C.Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) followed by curative surgery still remains the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The main purpose of this multimodal treatment is to achieve a complete pathological tumor response (ypCR), with better survival. The surgery delay after CRT completion seems to increase tumor response and ypCR rate. Usually, time intervals range from 8 to 12 weeks, but the maximum tumor regression may not be seen in rectal adenocarcinomas until several months after CRT. About this issue, we report a case of a 52-year-old man with LARC treated with neoadjuvant CRT who developed, one month after RT completion, an acute myocardial infarction. The need to increase the interval between CRT and surgery for 17 weeks allowed a curative surgery without morbidity and an unexpected complete tumor response in the resected specimen (given the parameters presented in pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 11 weeks after radiotherapy completion).
- Abdominal Actinomycosis misdiagnosed as liposarcomaPublication . Vieira E Monteiro, Eunice; Gaspar, Joana; Paiva, Cláudia; Correia, Raquel; Valente, Vítor; Coelho, André; Lamas, Nuno JorgeActinomycosis is an uncommon, endogenous, and chronic infection with varied and nonspecific clinical features such as abdominal, pelvic or cervical masses, ulcerative lesions, abscesses, draining fistula, fibrosis, and constitutional symptoms. The disease ensues when the bacteria disrupt the mucosal barrier, invade, and spread throughout interfascial planes. Currently, the diagnosis of actinomycosis is challenging because of its very low frequency and depending on the clinical presentation it may masquerade malignancies. Therapy consists initially in intravenous penicillin, followed by an oral regimen that may be extended until a year of treatment. A timely diagnosis is crucial to avoid extensive therapeutic attempt as surgery. However, a biopsy or drainage of abscesses and fistula's tract may be required not only as a diagnostic procedure as part of the therapy. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with an abdominal mass initially misdiagnosed as a liposarcoma. A second biopsy of a skin lesion of the abdominal wall made the diagnosis of actinomycosis, avoiding a major surgical procedure. The patient was treated with a long-term course of antibiotics with favorable outcome. Liposarcoma was ruled out after the patient's full recovery with antibiotics and the misdiagnosis was credit to the overconfidence on the immunohistochemical positivity to MDM2.
- Abnormal NK cell lymphocytosis detected after splenectomy: association with repeated infections, relapsing neutropenia, and persistent polyclonal B-cell proliferationPublication . Granjo, E; Lima, M; Fraga, M; Santos, F; Magalhães, C; Queirós, ML; Moreira, I; Rocha, S; Silva, AS; Rebelo, I; Quintanilha, A; Ribeiro, ML; Candeias, J; Órfão, AAbnormal NK cell lymphocytosis detected after splenectomy: association with repeated infections, relapsing neutropenia, and persistent polyclonal B-cell proliferation. Granjo E, Lima M, Fraga M, Santos F, Magalhães C, Queirós ML, Moreira I, Rocha S, Silva AS, Rebelo I, Quintanilha A, Ribeiro ML, Candeias J, Orfão A. Department of Hematology, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal. npp46740@mail.telepac.pt Abstract We report the case of a boy with hereditary spherocytosis who presented with mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and recurrent leg ulcers that had been present since childhood. Chronic natural killer (NK) cell and B-cell lymphocytosis was detected 1 year after therapeutic splenectomy during investigation of recurrent episodes of neutropenia and persistent lymphocytosis. NK cells proved to be abnormal at immunophenotyping studies, and B-cells were polyclonal and displayed a normal immunophenotype. Genotypic analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR)-beta and TCR-gamma genes showed a germ-line pattern. The clinical course of this patient was characterized by multiple pulmonary infections and amygdalitis. We discuss the potential roles of persistent immune stimulation due to chronic hemolysis and severe leg ulcers and of splenectomy in the origin of NK cell lymphocytosis and the relationship between NK cells and recurrent infections, relapsing neutropenia, and polyclonal B-cell response.
- Acute kidney injury with active urinary sediment analysis, a positive ANCA test and hypocomplememtemia: A tough situationPublication . Campos, A.; Vizcaíno, J.; Coelho, A.; Freitas, C.; Rocha, G.
- Adult blaschkolinear acquired inflammatory skin eruption (BLAISE) with simultaneous features of lichen striatus and blaschkitisPublication . Raposo, I.; Mota, F.; Fernandes, I.; Canelhas, Á.; Selores, M.Blaschkitis and lichen striatus are generally distinguished in the literature by the age of onset, lesion distribution, and histopathology. However, there is currently no clear consensus among authors about whether to consider blaschkitis and lichen striatus different clinical entities or a spectrum ofthe same disease. We present a case of adult BLAISE with features of both lichen striatus and blaschkitis, which seems to support the theory that these clinical entities may in fact represent a spectrum of the same pathological process.
- Adult Native Joint Septic Arthritis: A Nine-Year Retrospective Analysis in a Portuguese University HospitalPublication . Cipriano, Ana; Videira Santos, Fábio; Dias, Rita; Carvalho, André; Reis, Ernestina; Pereira, Claudia; Santos, Ana Cláudia; Sousa, Ricardo; Abreu, Miguelntroduction: Septic arthritis of a native joint represents a medical emergency. Drainage and effective antibiotic treatment are critical to avoid joint destruction and long-term impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with the diagnosis of septic arthritis to help establish local guidelines for empirical antibiotic treatment. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of adult patients admitted at Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto from 2009 to 2017 with suspected native joint septic arthritis. Relevant demographics, microbiology findings and respective antibiotic susceptibilities were analysed. Results: Ninety-seven patients, predominantly males (59.8%) with a median age of 61 years old were included. The most commonly reported comorbidity associated with septic arthritis was diabetes mellitus (20.6%). The knee was the most commonly affected joint (71.1%). Arthrocentesis was performed in all patients, but only 50.5% had positive microbial growth in the synovial fluid. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified microorganism, 86% of which were methicillin susceptible. Gram-negative bacteria were the causative agent in 15% of cases. A wide range of empirical antibiotic regimens were prescribed with a combination of vancomycin/carbapenem being the most common (30.9%). Analysis of antibiotic susceptibility profiles revealed that amoxicillin/clavulanate would have been appropriate as the initial regimen in 89% of cases. Discussion: The main causative pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus, with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus remaining rare. The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria implies that these agents should be covered by empirical treatment, although no case of Pseudomonas infection has been identified. Therefore, antipseudomonal coverage is not necessary in empirical regimens. Conclusion: Routine coverage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not warranted but must be considered when specific risk factors are found. Amoxicillin/clavulanate can provide adequate antibiotic coverage as an empirical treatment for adult native joint septic arthritis. Its use may allow a reduction in use of broader spectrum antibiotics.
- Advanced Glycation End Products Evolution after Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation: Plasmatic and Cutaneous AssessmentsPublication . Martins, L.; Oliveira, J.; Vizcaíno, J.; Fonseca, R.; Gouveia, C.; Silva, D.; Castro-Henriques, A.; Noronha, I.; Rodrigues, A.Diabetes mellitus leads to increased Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) production, which has been associated with secondary diabetic complications. Type 1 diabetic patients undergoing pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) can restore normoglycemia and renal function, eventually decreasing AGE accumulation. We aimed to prospectively study AGE evolution after SPKT. Circulating AGE were assessed in 20 patients, at time 0 (T0), 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6), and 12 months (T12) after successful SPKT. Global AGE and carboxymethyllysine (CML) were analyzed, as well as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). Skin biopsies were obtained at T0 and T12. Immunohistochemistry with anti-AGE antibody evaluated skin AGE deposition. AGE mean values were 16.8 ± 6.4 μg/mL at T0; 17.1 ± 3.8 μg/mL at T3; 17.5 ± 5.6 μg/mL at T6; and 16.0 ± 5.2 μg/mL at T12. CML mean values were 0.94 ± 0.36 ng/mL at T0; 1.11 ± 0.48 ng/mL at T3; 0.99 ± 0.42 ng/mL at T6; and 0.78 ± 0.38 ng/mL at T12. AOPP mean values were 130.1 ± 76.8 μMol/L at T0; 137.3 ± 110.6 μMol/L at T3; 116.4 ± 51.2 μMol/L at T6; and 106.4 ± 57.9 μMol/L at T12. CML variation was significant (P = 0.022); AOPP variation was nearly significant (P = 0.076). Skin biopsies evolved mostly from a cytoplasmic diffuse to a peripheral interkeratinocytic immunoreaction pattern; in 7 cases, a reduction in AGE immunoreaction intensity was evident at T12. In conclusion, glycoxidation markers decrease, plasmatic and on tissues, may start early after SPKT. Studies with prolonged follow-up may confirm these data.
- Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma: a "visible" diagnosisPublication . Raposo, I.; Mota, F.; Lobo, I.; Brandão, J.; Selores, M.Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a rare granulomatous skin disease of undetermined cause, characterized by annular plaques with raised erythematous borders in sun-exposed skin. The typical histologic features are dermal infiltration by multinucleated giant cells, elastin degeneration, and elastophagocytosis. The authors describe a clinical case of AEGCG, which exhibited an excellent response to hydroxycloroquine.
- Apolipoprotein B and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol reveal a high atherogenicity in individuals with type 2 diabetes and controlled low-density lipoprotein-cholesterolPublication . Fonseca, Liliana; Paredes, Sílvia; Ramos, Helena; Oliveira, José Carlos; Palma, IsabelBackground: Lipid-lowering therapy is guided by Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, although the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk could be better reflected by other lipid parameters. This study aimed at comparing a comprehensive lipid profile between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with LDL-c concentration within and above target. Methods: A comprehensive lipid profile was characterized in 96 T2DM patients. The European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) 2016 and 2019 Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemias were used to define LDL-c targets. Results: In this population, only 28.1 and 16.7% of patients had mean LDL-c levels within target, as defined by the 2016 and 2019 guidelines, respectively. Applying the 2016 guidelines criteria, in patients with LDL-c within target, 22, 25 and 44% presented non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and oxidized LDL-c levels above the recommended range, respectively, whereas according to the 2019 guidelines criteria, 50, 39 and 44% of the patients with LDL-c within target had elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), ApoB and oxidized LDL-c levels, respectively. LDL-c was strongly correlated with non-HDL-c (r = 0.850), ApoB (r = 0.656) and oxidized LDL-c (r = 0.508). Similarly, there was a strong correlation between non-HDL-c with both ApoB (r = 0.808) and oxidized LDL-c (r = 0.588). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the limitations of only considering LDL-c concentration for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment. Targeting only LDL-c could result in missed opportunities for CV risk reduction in T2DM patients. These data suggest that non-HDL-c, ApoB and oxidized LDL-c levels could be considered as an important part of these patients' evaluation allowing for a more accurate estimation of CV risk and hopefully better management of these high-risk patients.
- Aspergillus Species and Antifungals Susceptibility in Clinical Setting in the North of Portugal: Cryptic Species and Emerging Azoles Resistance in A. fumigatusPublication . Pinto, E.; Monteiro, C.; Maia, M.; Faria, M.; Lopes, V.; Lameiras, C.; Pinheiro, D.Aspergillus spp. are agents of a broad-spectrum of diseases among humans. Their growing resistance to azoles, the cornerstone in the management of human aspergillosis, is a worrisome problem around the world. Considering lack of data from Portugal on this topic, particularly from the northern region, a retrospective surveillance study was planned to assess frequency of cryptic Aspergillus species and azoles resistance. A total of 227 clinical isolates, mainly from the respiratory tract (92.1%), collected from three hospitals serving a population of about three million people, were studied for their epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility patterns determined by the E.DEF.9.3 protocol of EUCAST. Employing molecular methods, seven Aspergillus complexes were identified; Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto was the most frequent isolate (86.7%). A 7.5% prevalence of cryptic species was found; A. welwitschiae (A. niger complex-3.1%) and A. lentulus (A. fumigatus complex-2.2%) were the most frequent. Amongst cryptic species, it was found a percentage of resistance to voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole of 47.1, 82.4, and 100%, respectively. Five A. fumigatus sensu stricto showed pan-azole resistance. Sequencing their cyp51A gene revealed the presence of one isolate with TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation and two isolates with TR34/L98H mutation. This study emphasizes the need to identify strains to the species level and to evaluate their antifungal susceptibility in all human originated Aspergillus spp. isolates, particularly those from invasive aspergillosis.