Zeitschrift für Zytologie und Histologie

The present work aimed to use natural derived fungal secondary metabolites as anticancer agents concerning cytotoxicity, apoptotic, genetic and histopathological profile. It was noticed that Asp. Terrius (Asp. T), Flavous (Asp. Fl) and Fumegatgus (Asp. Fu) induced variable toxic potential that was cell type, secondary metabolite type and concentration dependent. CaCo-2 cells showed less sensitivity than HuH-7 and in turn the IC₅₀ was variable. Also, the apoptotic potential of Asp. species derived fungal secondary metabolites was proven via detection of up regulated pro apoptotic genes and down regulation of anti-apoptotic genes. The expression rate was cell type dependent. Concurrently apoptotic profile was accompanied with cellular DNA accumulation at the G2/M phase, an insignificant accumulation during the G0/G1 phase but there was not during the Pre-G1 and S phases. Also, there were a characteristic apoptotic features of treated cells presented as abnormal intra-nuclear eosinophyllic structures, necrotic cells with mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin, ruptured cell membranes, intranuclear eosinophyllic structures, apoptotic cells with irregular cellular and nuclear membranes, peripheral chromatin condensation and necrotic swollen cells with mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin. It can be concluded that A. secondary metabolites are promising agents can be used as a supplementary agents to current cancer drugs regimen applied.

Background: Tungiasis, a neglected tropical ecto-parasitic disease, has resurged in Sub-Saharan Africa, causing public concern and at times confusing diagnosis. In October 2010, following widespread human disease within the Busoga sub-region of Eastern Uganda the Ministry of Health sought to verify the cause. Tungal extraction was therefore performed to provide specimens for diagnosis.

Aim: To identify the organisms enucleated from the feet of residents in two affected districts.

Method: The formalin-preserved enucleate was macroscopically described, processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections four micrometers thick were then stained with haematoxylin and eosin and microscopically examined.

Results: Histology showed cystic bodies with internal structures. At the periphery a multi-layered cuticle overlay a stratum of hypodermal cells. At the centre, distended globular sections lined by columnar cells characteristic of digestive epithelia had speckled content representing ingested human blood. Eccentric bipolar sections had convoluted microvillous epithelia typical of filtration-excretory surfaces. Eosinophilic rings formed sub-cuticular chains and central clusters, describing tracheal routes. Numerous eosinophilic anisocytic spheres were enclosed in circular sections lined by cuboid cells characteristic of ovarian epithelia. Fat globules and striated muscle were noted; the head, thorax and terminal abdomen were not seen.

Conclusion: The structures described were distinct from those observed in cutaneous helminthiasis, cutaneous myiasis and acariasis. The organisms were thus reported as tissue-embedding haematophagous oviparous arthropods of the genus Tunga. Tungiasis has since been listed among the thirteen neglected tropical diseases of highest public health importance in Uganda.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a major worldwide health problem. Therefore, regular cervical screening in order to make an early diagnosis can help to prevent cervical cancer. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the correlation between HSIL on cytology and histological CIN2+ in AML, Antwerp and to compare two liquid-based cytological techniques ThinPrep^® LBC (TP) and SurePath™ LBC (SP).

Methods: 120 women with a HSIL positive cytological smear from 2014 (ThinPrep^® LBC) and another 120 from 2010 (SurePath™ LBC) were anonymously randomised out of the AML database, according to predefined in- and exclusion criteria. The Belgian Cancer Registry (CIB and CHP) and the AML database were consulted for histological and cytological data and the researched variables (doctor’s speciality, age, HPV status, -genotypes and -persistence) of these 240 women. 184 women, with histological follow-up within one year, out of 240 were included. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15.1 (StataCorp, USA). P-values and Odds-ratios were calculated.

Results: The CIN2+/HSIL ratio of all included 184 subjects was 75.5% (95%CI=69.3-81.8). The found CIN2+ percentages for TP and SP, were 75.8% (95%CI 67.0-84.6) and 75.3% (95%CI 66.5-84.1) respectively. For all included subjects the variables hrHPV infection (p=0,008; OR=6.97) and HPV16 infection (p=0.004; OR=2.79) were statistically significant for having CIN2+ on histology.

Conclusions: The found CIN2+/HSIL ratio of 75.5% in AML, Antwerp is similar to the percentages found in worldwide laboratories. HSIL positive women who are HPV16+ or hrHPV+ are at significant higher risk for invasive cervical disease. No statistically significant difference in CIN2+% was found between the two LBC techniques TP and SP.