Background. Vertical transmission of several viruses during pregnancy has been shown to cause adverse fetal outcomes. The question about the possibility of a similar outcome in association with SARS-CoV-2 has been raised in recently published articles. Indeed, the rate of transmission through the placenta to the fetus reported in women with COVID-19 has been shown to form a minority. The aim of this study was to explore the possible histopathological changes in the placenta of pregnant women with COVID-19 after delivery and those changes in the umbilical cord. Methods. A case-control study including a total of 50 full-term pregnant women with COVID-19 and 60 control pregnant females. Histopathological evaluation of placental tissues and umbilical cords were reported. Results. The main findings in the umbilical cord were increased thickness of vessels, thrombus formation, endothelins, and narrow lumen; except for the increased thickness of blood vessels, these findings were more frequently seen in women with COVID-19, in comparison with control women in a significant manner ( p < 0.05 ). Increased thickness of blood vessels was more significantly observed in the control group compared to the COVID-19 group ( p < 0.01 ). Findings of the placenta included avascular villi, fibrin, thrombosis, and meconium macrophage in various combinations. Except for fibrin as the sole findings, all other findings including combinations were more frequently encountered in the study group in comparison to the control group ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have significant pathological alterations in the placenta and umbilical cord. These findings reflect the capability of SARS-CoV-2 in causing immunological reactions to the placenta, either directly or indirectly, and these pathologies may be linked to the higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal admission to the intensive care unit.
Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are ubiquitous viruses. Many researchers studied the association ofthese two viruses with colorectal adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and viral load of EBV and HCMV in colorectal cancer tissues. Subjects and methods: A case-control study included 40 colorectal cancer (CRC) formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, and 20 normal colonic FFPE tissues.DNA was extracted from these tissues and subjected for real time PCR quantification of EBV and HCMV DNA copies in these tissues. Results: Among these 40 CRC tissues, HCMV was detected in 20% (8/40) of CRC tissue and 5% (1/20) of normal tissues, p=0.064, with significantly higher frequency in rectal cancers (8/8) and in stages 3 and 4 tumors, while EBV was detected in 25% (10/40), and in 20% (4/20) of normal tissues, P=0.672, with no significant association with tumors' site, grade or stage. Conclusion: Human CMV could be considered an important risk factor in the development of rectal cancers ; however, EBV is not significantly associated with development of CRC.
Background: Cancer of the urinary bladder is the second most common genitourinary cancer, multiple carcinogenic factors have been attributed including viral infections, a high percentage of human polyomaviruses were found in bladder cancer tissues which might play a role in the process of carcinogenesis.Objectives: Detection of polyomavirus(PV) antigen and DNAquantification in cancerous and non-cancerous urinary bladder tissues.Patients and methods: Retrospective study included thirty urinary bladder cancer tissues, nine with cystitis, and six normal bladder urothelium.Polyomavirus large T antigen (PV LTAg) was detected in these tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and quantification of BK polyomavirus DNA in the tissue by real time-PCR.Results: PV LTAg was positive in 56.7% of bladder cancer tissues, and in only one 11.1% of inflammatory tissues, while none of the normal tissues showed positive signal (p=0.005), real time-PCR detected BK polyomavirus DNA in 18 (60%) of bladder cancers, 2 (22.2%) of inflammatory tissues, p=0.003. Conclusion:High rate of occurrence of PV LTAgand DNA in bladder cancer tissues could raise the possibility of the role of this virus as an oncogenic virus in bladder tumorgenesis.
Background:The breast cancer is increasing in developing countries and the management options are widened, therefore providing the surgeon with accurate prognostic information on which the mode of therapy will be chosen became so important. Robinson grading system was found to be useful in grading breast carcinoma in fine needle aspirates. The objectives of the study were to estimate the benefits of using Robinson grading system in fine needle aspiration for breast cancer and to estimate the correlation of Robinson grading system in fine needle aspiration with histological grading. Methods: There were Seventy cases of invasive ductal carcinoma was graded on FNA aspirates by Robinson grading system using six cytological parameters (cell dissociation, cell size, cell uniformity, nucleolus, nuclear margin, and nuclear chromatin). Results: The concordance rate between grade I tumors on cytology and histology was 100%, while for grade II tumors it was 62.5% and for grade III tumors it was 100%. The absolute concordance rate was 87.5%, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r) was 0.762, p value was (0.00), the sensitivity of Robinson's cytological grading system in cytological grade I tumors was 73.33% and specificity was 100%. In cytological grade II tumors the sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 76% and in cytological grade III tumors the sensitivity is 100% and specificity was 100%. Conclusions: Robinson's cytological grading of breast carcinoma correlates well with Bloom-Richardson's histological grading system and could be a helpful parameter in selecting a neoadjuvant treatment for the breast cancer patients on fine needle aspiration cytology alone.
Endometrial carcinoma is the second most common gynecological cancer in developing countries after cervical carcinoma and its incidence is increasing due to the rise in the rate of obesity. Diagnosis depend on invasive test (biopsy) with no routine screening investigation available for either general population or high-risk group, there are several types of biomarkers that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis and management but none are available for routine clinical practice. Following the discovery of the new gene-based classifications of endometrial cancer, the use of these gene-based biomarkers will be the cornerstone in the early diagnosis and management for endometrial carcinoma patients in the coming years. Keywords:Endometrial carcinoma, screening, PTEN, miRNA, P53, circulating tumor DNA, genomic classification Citation:Kareem NM. Genomic biomarkers in endometrial carcinoma. Iraqi JMS. 2019; 17(2): 100-102. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.17.2.1
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