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Biomedical subjects

J E Pittella

Publications and source records attributed to J E Pittella.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Tumoural form of cerebellar Schistosomiasis mansoni. Report of a surgically treated case.

A case of the tumoural form of cerebellar Schistosomiasis mansoni is described. The patient was a 35-year-old female, healthy until one year ago, when she started to show cerebellar and vestibular symptoms. Computerized tomography was performed and showed an expanding lesion in the cerebellar vermis and roof of the fourth ventricle, which was surgically removed. On histopathological examination numerous S. mansoni ova involved in chronic granulomatous inflammation were found. Innumerable granulomas in the productive and healing phases of fibrosis as well as rare ones in the necrotic-exudative phase were observed. This case is compared with another three previously reported in the literature. The clinical picture, diagnostic methods, the relation to the other forms of visceral involvement in Schistosomiasis mansoni and how the parasite reaches the brain are commented upon.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Disseminated herpetic encephalitis: report of an autopsy case with immunohistochemical study].

An autopsied case of disseminated herpetic encephalitis in a previously healthy one-year-and-three-month-old child is reported. He had fever, repeated convulsive crises and alterations of consciousness which progressed into a coma, leading to death in eight days. The neuropathological picture was characterized by necrosis and inflammation in multiple foci disseminated in the cerebral hemispheres, brainstem and cerebellum. The Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex technique showed, in neurons of the thalamus, intra-cytoplasmatic immunoreactivity, and, very rarely, intranuclear for the Herpes simplex virus type 1 antigens. This case differs from the other herpetic encephalitis ones described in the literature in two aspects: (1) by the dissemination of the lesions, in contrast with the forms topographically limited to the limbic system and, less commonly, to the brainstem; (2) by the presence of necrosis, inflammation and focal hemorrhage, which are alterations that practically do not exist in cases of disseminated encephalitis typically described in immuno-depressed individuals.

Encephalitis↗
PubMed1989

Histopathological and immunofluorescence study of the choroid plexus in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni.

A histopathological and immunofluorescence (IMF) study of the choroid plexus was performed in 8 cases of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni and in 20 cases which had resulted in death with no evidence of liver or brain involvement by schistosomiasis or other disease process, and in which renal disease and arterial hypertension were also excluded (control group). IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C1q were investigated. Positive IMF in the choroid plexus was found in 75% of the schistosomiasis group. IgA and IgG were the immunoglobulins (Ig) most frequently found. C3 was also commonplace. Histologic examination of the choroid plexus showed changes in 87.5% of the schistosomiasis group. The most frequently found change was characterized by focal, linear, occasionally nodular, subepithelial deposition of a homogeneous, acidophilic, and PAS positive substance, apparently in relation to the epithelial basement membrane, with thickening of this structure. In the control group, the IMF in the choroid plexus was negative in all cases, and only 2 cases (10%) presented histopathological changes of the choroid plexus with a pattern similar to that of the schistosomiasis group. The demonstration of the deposition of Ig and fractions of the complement system, and of histological changes in the choroid plexus in a liver disease which is known to exhibit circulating immune complexes and glomerulopathy with deposition of Ig and fractions of the complement system suggests an etiopathogenetic relationship between both findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Multiple cerebral tuberculomas: report of an autopsy case with 37 lesions].

An autopsied case of multiple cerebral tuberculomas with 37 lesions, the one with the greatest number of lesions described in the literature, is reported. The patient was a chronic alcoholic and had generalized tuberculosis. The literature on multiple cerebral tuberculomas is reviewed and the neurological clinical picture presented by the patient and the association between generalized tuberculosis and chronic alcoholism are commented upon.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1988

[Cerebellar agenesia associated with microencephaly and agyria: report of an autopsied case in a newborn infant and a review of the literature].

A post-mortem examined case of cerebellar agenesis associated with microcephaly, agyria and deformities of the extremities and of the external ear in a newborn is presented. Such an association has not yet been reported in the literature. This is the seventh case of cerebellar agenesis ever registered in the literature. This case is compared with other previously published cases and the possible etiological factors involved as well as the period during which the cerebral malformations appeared in the present case are commented upon.

Brain↗
PubMed1987

[Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis: report of an autopsied case and review of the literature].

An autopsied case of central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis in a 16-year-old diabetic girl is described. Due to dehydration she was treated vigorously with daily intravenous isotonic saline, from the first day of hospitalization. In the first three days the serum sodium level increased by more than 30 mEq/l when compared with the initial level. By the next days the serum sodium level, after a mild drop, rose again and was maintained above normal range for a further 12 days. On the sixth day of this new and sustained serum sodium increase, the patient presented progressive neurological manifestations that remained until her death, characterized by mutism, inability to eat, to move her head, trunk, and members and, in addition, retention of respiratory secretions. The neuropathological examination showed massive central pontine myelinolysis and similar myelinolytic lesions in the subcortical white matter of the temporal lobe, the right optic tract, the external and extreme capsules to the right, the main mammillary tract and the subcortical white matter of the left cerebellar hemisphere. The review of the literature on central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis shows that the present case is the 30th of such condition. The clinical picture and the etiopathogenesis of central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis are commented upon. It is suggested, as possible causative factors, the persistent and rapid correction of serum sodium concentration as well as its fluctuation in patients with hyponatremia and/or dehydration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The significance of paired astrocyte nuclei in normal human nervous tissue.

A quantitative study of astrocytes was carried out in 80 microscopic fields and the number of paired nuclei in 100 consecutive astrocytes of the temporo-occipital gyrus cortex was determined in 13 patients with no cerebral or liver disease. No significant correlation was found between astrocyte number and the percentage of paired nuclei. When studies on astrocytes in hepatic encephalopathy, liver cirrhosis and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are taken into consideration it is suggested that these cells are in continuous variable renewal in normal adult human nervous tissue, as occurs in other animal species.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Acute diffuse lymphocytic meningoencephalitis: a clinico-pathological report of a case].

A clinicopathologic case of acute diffuse lymphocytic meningoencephalitis in a 8-year-old child is reported. Clinical picture started 7 days prior to death and was characterized by fever and occipital cephalea followed by worsening of general conditions, vomiting and generalized convulsive crisis together with cardiopulmonary arrest and coma. The pathologic examination showed alterations only in the brain, namely pronounced cerebral edema and inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly lymphocytic, perivascular, particularly in the white matter, in all regions analyzed. This case is compared to the ones described in the literature and the etiopathogenesis of acute diffuse lymphocytic meningoencephalitis is discussed. The necessity of making public cases of non-bacterial acute encephalitis is emphasized, due to the fact that most of them remain with undetermined etiology.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Schistosomotic choroiditis. I. Funduscopic changes and differential diagnosis.

This paper presents the results of biomicroscopy and funduscopy on five patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni. Fluorescein angioretinography was performed on two patients. All cases showed yellowish white multiple billateral nodules of various sizes, located in the choroidal plane. The nature and differential diagnosis of these nodules is discussed, and the suggestion is made that they represent cases of schistosomotic nodular choroiditis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Schistosomotic choroiditis. II. Report of first case.

The first case of granulomatous choroiditis produced by Schistosoma mansoni with histological confirmation is reported. The patient had the hepatosplenic and cardiopulmonary forms of the disease and presented with cerebral schistosomiasis. The funduscopic aspects of the lesion and the possible pathways taken by the parasite to reach the choroid are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Vascular changes in cerebral schistosomiasis mansoni: a histopathological study of fifteen cases.

A histopathological study of 15 cases of cerebral schistosomiasis mansoni is presented. All patients had the hepatosplenic form, and except for two, the cardiopulmonary form of the disease. The most common lesions were periovular mononuclear inflammatory reaction, granulomas and focal astrocytosis. Arteritis and vascular lesions suggesting sequelae of arteritis or ova passage through the arterial wall were found in 26.7% and 20% of the cases, respectively. The clinical features and the possible mechanisms by which the S. mansoni ova produce the vascular changes are discussed. These findings indicate that vascular changes were common in our patients with cerebral schistosomiasis mansoni.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Brain involvement in the chronic cardiac form of Chagas' disease.

A pathological systematized study of the brain in 31 cases of the chronic form of cardiac Chagas' disease was undertaken. In three cases (10%), granulomatous encephalitis in multiple non-systematized foci was observed. In one case, a recent active process was involved, with the presence of parasites. In two cases, it was suggested that lesions were reliquat of the acute phase, indicating a process becoming inactive, or already inactive. The type of brain infection in the chronic form of Chagas' disease is discussed as a consequence of interfering with the parasite-host relation (e.g., immunodepression) and favouring acute episodes.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Partial fusion of the mamillary bodies. Case study and review of congenital anomalies of these structures.

We present an anatomopathologic study of a case of partial fusion of the mamillary bodies in a 57-year-old man with no neurologic or neuropsychiatric change. Medial nuclei were fused. Remaining nuclei and afferent and efferent connections were preserved. The comparison of this case with other similar malformations suggests the possibility of disturbances in certain morphogenetic phases of these structures.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1981

Astrocytes of the cerebral cortex in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni and in liver cirrhosis. A morphological, quantitative and karyometric study.

A morphological, quantitative and karyometric study of astrocytes of the cerebral cortex in patients with liver cirrhosis, hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni and controls is reported. Cell proliferation was commonly seen but there was no significant increase in number of astrocytes in either cirrhosis and schistosomiasis groups. A highly significant increase in astrocyte nuclear volume in cirrhosis and schistosomiasis in relation to controls was observed. The astrocyte average nuclear volume in the cirrhotics was also significantly increased in relation to the schistosomiasis group. From the present data and those reported by other investigators it may be concluded that under normal conditions the astrocyte population is continually reforming and it proliferates in liver cirrhosis and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. It seems that the morphological, quantitative and karyometric astrocyte changes in schistosomiasis may be the result of the same factors as those previously described for liver cirrhosis and experimental portacaval shunt.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1981

Brain involvement in hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis mansoni.

The brains of 46 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni were studied. Eggs of Schistosoma mansoni were found in 12 brains (26 per cent). The parasite location, brain reaction, clinical features and the possible paths by which the eggs of S. mansoni reach the nervous system are discussed. Our data and those of the literature suggest that brain involvement is common in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni.

Adolescent↗