PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A R Esparza

Publications and source records attributed to A R Esparza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Proliferative glomerulonephritis with unusual, organized, cylindrical deposits associated with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma.

We describe an elderly man who developed angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma, followed by acute renal failure 2 months later. Renal biopsy revealed proliferative glomerulonephritis, which was characterized by enlarged glomeruli with increased cellularity, thickened capillaries, intracapillary inflammatory cells, focal necrosis, and fibrin extravasation. Immunofluorescence studies revealed capillary and mesangial deposits of IgG, IgM, IgA, Ig kappa, Ig lambda, and C3. Electron microscopy revealed unusual, organized, electron-dense deposits in the capillary walls and mesangium. The deposits occurred as accumulations of large rigid tubules or cylinders, which, in longitudinal section, were double-walled. In transverse section, the deposits were annular or horseshoe shaped and occasionally had a central filament. The morphologic characteristics of these deposits are different from those seen in cryoglobulinemia or fibrillary and immunotactoid glomerulopathies. The significance of these deposits is uncertain; they may represent a cryoglobulin or an abnormal serum protein related to angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma. The findings in this case expand the morphologic spectrum of glomerular lesions that may be associated with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders and, particularly, angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma.

Aged↗

Systemic mast cell disease presenting with peripheral blood eosinophilia.

Patients with mast cell disease most frequently present with skin lesions (urticaria pigmentosa), with systemic involvement in many cases. However, a small subset of patients with systemic mast cell disease lacks skin lesions and, in these patients the correct diagnosis may be difficult to establish. Patients with systemic mast cell disease commonly have hematologic abnormalities, including eosinophilia in up to 20% of cases, but isolated eosinophilia has been reported rarely. We describe an 82-year-old woman who was admitted to Rhode Island Hospital for coronary artery disease and unstable angina. Incidentally, an absolute eosinophil count of 7.84 x 10(9)/L (normal, < 0.45 x 10(9)/L) was detected with moderate thrombocytopenia and mild anemia. Review of earlier records revealed that absolute eosinophilia had been present for approximately 4 months, initially without other hematologic abnormalities. Clinical work-up showed left upper quadrant tenderness. No skin lesions were identified. Bone marrow core biopsy revealed paratrabecular, perivascular, and medullary mast cell aggregates with eosinophils, suggestive of mast cell disease. At autopsy the diagnosis was confirmed. Mast cell aggregates were found in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, and chloroacetate esterase stain highlighted mast cell granules. The bone marrow was also hypercellular with granulocytic and eosinophilic hyperplasia, suggestive of a poorly defined myeloproliferative disorder. Patients with systemic mast cell disease initially may present with peripheral eosinophilia. Clinical suspicion of the diagnosis facilitates proper handling of the bone marrow core biopsy specimen to allow the demonstration of mast cell granules.

Aged↗

Arteriosclerosis obliterans in a rabbit model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors induced atherosclerotic occlusions in a rabbit model, using and comparing different experimental methods. METHODS: Lesions were induced in 40 femoral arteries in 20 rabbits. Four combinations of lesion induction methods were used: 1) drying of the endothelium with carbon dioxide gas; 2) gas-drying of the artery plus mechanical injury; 3) gas-drying plus induced thrombosis of the treated segment using thrombin; and 4) gas-drying, mechanical injury, and induced thrombosis. All rabbits were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 1 to 2 months after lesion induction. RESULTS: Seventeen rabbits were available for follow-up. Sixty-eight percent (13 of 19) of femoral arteries treated with thrombin-induced thrombosis demonstrated atherosclerotic occlusions, compared with 27% of those that did not receive this treatment (4 of 15; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombin-induced thrombotic occlusion of a segment of artery which has been de-endothelialized, followed by a high-fat, high cholesterol diet, results in a higher yield of experimental occlusive atherosclerosis in rabbits than is achievable by other methods.

Animals↗

Hemangioendothelioma of the spleen.

Hemangioendotheliomas of the spleen are rare and are considered to be of intermediate/borderline malignancy. We report such a case in a patient who presented with chronic anemia but who otherwise was asymptomatic. The tumor involved half the organ and was solitary and nonencapsulated. Microscopically, it was composed of vascular and stromal elements. Both types of elements showed moderate atypia and rare mitoses. The lining cells stained positively with antibodies to factor VIII-related antigen and Ulex europaeus lectin. The stromal component showed evidence of myofibroblastic differentiation. One year after splenectomy, all hematologic parameters slowly improved and returned to normal. The clinicopathologic differences between hemangioma, angiosarcoma, and hemangioendothelioma are discussed, and cases that have recently been reported in the literature are reviewed.

Hemangioendothelioma↗

Cytologic diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the liver with fine-needle biopsy.

We present the cytopathologic findings in seven cases of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver diagnosed by direct "squash" smears made on tissue obtained through image-guided fine-needle biopsy. The diagnosis in each case was confirmed histologically. Utilizing this simple cytologic technique, the morphologic findings in these common hepatic lesions are as accurate and diagnostic as histologic examination.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Fibrillary (immunotactoid) glomerulopathy. A possible role for kappa light chain in its etiology and/or pathogenesis.

The initial clinical manifestations, course, and immunopathologic findings of renal biopsies of nine patients with fibrillary glomerulopathy are reported. Their first symptoms and courses were variable, but proteinuria and renal failure were common. While some patients required hemodialysis soon after coming for treatment, others progressed to renal failure over several years. Three patients had monoclonal gammopathy; one of them had an isolated, transient, Bence-Jones proteinuria. The main pathologic features are glomerular enlargement, mesangial expansion, and mild hypercellularity. Congo red and thioflavin stains were negative. Kappa chain, either alone or with lambda chain and IgG, were the predominant immunoreactants. Ultrastructurally, the presence of coarse fibrils of 15-25 nm was characteristic, but there were also granular deposits in the capillary wall that occurred in a band-like pattern in the inner half of the glomerular basement membrane in a manner similar to the deposits seen in light chain deposit disease. The immunofluorescence and ultrastructural findings suggest that light chains (especially kappa) may be significant in the pathogenesis of fibrillary glomerulopathy and that there may be a relationship with light chain deposit disease.

Adult↗

Antigen as mediator of glomerular injury in experimental IgA nephropathy.

IgA immune complexes (IgA-IC) are considered the primary cause of IgA nephropathy. Despite the consistent findings of IgA and frequently C3 glomerular deposits in most patients, the renal histopathologic lesion may vary from mild mesangial involvement to severe sclerosis. In the IgA immune deposits, IgA and C3 are considered to be relatively constant, whereas the composition of the antigen is expected to vary according to its origin. This report explored th possibility that the histopathologic lesion is a function of the antigen in an IgA immune deposit. To test this hypothesis we developed a passive model of IgA nephropathy whereby glomerular IgA deposits can capture, in situ, circulating antigens. In this model, glomerular IgA deposits (IgA/IgA-IC) were induced by administration of a constant amount of IgA anti-dinitrophenyl (antibody) and dinitrophenyl-conjugated IgA anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) as an antigen. The latter also served as antibody to capture, in situ, circulating PC-containing antigens. Mice that received only IgA/IgA-IC developed glomerular IgA and C3 deposits and a focal increase in mesangial cells and matrix, but no evidence of renal damage. A diffuse increase in mesangial cells and matrix developed in mice treated with IgA/IgA-IC and either PC-Ficoll (carbohydrate antigen) or PC conjugate of bovine serum albumin (protein antigen). In contrast, mice that received IgA/IgA-IC and pneumococcal C polysaccharide, a PC-containing antigen, developed severe diffuse mesangial hypercellularity with segmental necrosis and thrombosis. These mice also developed proteinuria and hematuria. Our results demonstrate that the antigen plays a critical role in development of glomerulonephritis associated with IgA-IC.

Animals↗

Renal parenchymal malakoplakia. Histologic spectrum and its relationship to megalocytic interstitial nephritis and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

We report five cases of renal parenchymal malakoplakia. They represent a histologic spectrum of this uncommon inflammatory process as it involves the renal parenchyma. Only one of these five cases presented the classical histologic picture of malakoplakia ("diagnostic stage"). Two cases--although with similar cellular infiltrate--had a marked paucity of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies and thus might have been classified as megalocytic interstitial nephritis were it not for the identification of such calcific intracellular inclusions under the electron microscope. The fourth case presented a pseudosarcomatous morphology and is similar to what has been described as a late or fibrous stage in malakoplakia of the urinary bladder. The last case had a destructive, frankly granulomatous histologic picture with a preponderance of foamy histiocytes reminiscent of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, but with clusters of von Kossa-positive Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. The last two forms of the disease have not been previously reported to occur in the kidney. We believe that these cases represent various stages of development of the disease.

Adult↗

Cavernous hemangioma of the liver: role of percutaneous biopsy.

Fifteen patients with liver masses detected with imaging were strongly considered clinically to have malignant disease. In each case, the possibility of a hepatic cavernous hemangioma was raised upon review of the images. With use of a 20-gauge Franseen needle, a percutaneous hepatic biopsy was performed in all 15 cases, and the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma was confirmed. There were no complications from the biopsy. Twelve biopsies were performed on an outpatient basis. On the basis of the biopsy results, the care and treatment of each patient were significantly altered. When imaging data are not sufficient to determine that a liver mass is benign, even if the possibility of cavernous hemangioma is entertained, a percutaneous biopsy can be safely performed and can yield a specific histologic diagnosis.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Percutaneous large bore venotomy and tract creation: comparison of sequential dilator and angioplasty balloon methods in a porcine model. Preliminary report.

We used a pig model to evaluate the pathologic changes that occur during large caliber percutaneous venotomy and tract creation such as is necessary to deliver the Greenfield vena caval filter. Four sequential dilator and four angioplasty balloon tract creations were performed on eight external jugular veins in four adult pigs. Gross and microscopic evaluations of the veins and surrounding tissue followed the procedures. Morphometric measurements based on extent and severity of pathologic changes in the specimens were graded from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe and/or extensive). We found that while either technique entailed damage to the veins, the sequential dilator method produced substantially more smooth muscle stretching and tearing and disruption of the internal elastica. There also was greater perivascular and intramural hemorrhage. These changes extended as far distally as the catheters and sheaths were advanced. While the number of experimental samples is too small to allow valid statistical analysis, our results suggest that the angioplasty balloon technique may be superior for tract and venotomy creation. Furthermore, large sheaths should be advanced only enough to maintain venous access to limit the extent of potential venous damage.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Crescentic IgA nephropathy.

We report five cases of crescentic IgA nephropathy. All are males, 16-60 years of age. One case each came to medical attention with uremia, nephrotic syndrome, and gross hematuria; two cases presented with microhematuria and proteinuria on routine urinalysis. All had hypertension, azotemia (serum creatinine 1.6-9.4 mg/dl), proteinuria (greater than 6 g/24 hr in four cases), hypoalbuminemia (less than 3 g/dl), and hematuria (gross in two cases). All progressed to end-stage renal failure renal failure ending in dialysis (three cases) or death from unrelated causes (two cases). Prednisone, 60 mg/day for 1 month in two patients (with two 1-g doses of iv methylprednisolone in 1 case) did not improve the serum creatinine level, but one patient subsequently experienced a less rapid fall in renal function. A crescentic glomerulonephritis was present in all biopsies (crescents in 31-80% of glomeruli; mean, 50%). The size and stage of the crescents were variable. Numerous glomeruli had focal or diffuse sclerosis. In all cases, there was a 3 or 4+ deposition of IgA. Low-intensity staining for IgG and IgM was noted in four and three patients, respectively. On electron microscopy, dense granular mesangial deposits were noted in all cases and in four patients capillary subepithelial deposits were also observed. This form of IgA nephropathy is not common, but some studies indicate that it may occur in about 5% of patients with IgA nephropathy.

Adolescent↗

Steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in lupus nephritis. Response to chlorambucil.

Nephrotic syndrome associated with mesangial lupus nephritis developed in a young woman. The heavy proteinuria exhibited a striking steroid-dependent course during a three-year period of time, with ten relapses occurring whenever attempts were made to withdraw prednisone therapy. A prolonged remission was induced by the administration of chlorambucil.

Adult↗

Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Eleven cases of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis whose kidney biopsies were studied with light, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopy are described. Nine patients presented with nephrotic syndrome, one with proteinuria and hematuria, and one with proteinuria alone. Morphologically mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was characterized by diffuse mesangial cell proliferation and some increase in mesangial matrix. On immunofluorescence, mesangial IgM deposition was observed in all cases and was considered a distinct feature of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Electron microscopy showed electron-dense granular deposits within the mesangial matrix in four cases. The clinical course was variable. Of the eight cases with nephrotic syndrome, four treated with steroids alone and four treated with steroids and cytotoxic drugs, one in each group achieved remission while the remaining patients continued to have steroid dependency or resistance. Two of these latter patients manifested steroid responsiveness, steroid resistance, and spontaneous remission at different times in their courses. Renal function remained normal in all. These cases demonstrate that mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis is an entity characterized by increased mesangial cellularity, deposition of IgM in a mesangial distribution, a relatively benign course, and variable response to treatment.

Adolescent↗

Further development of a successful protocol of graft versus leukemia without fatal graft-versus-host disease in AKR mice.

We previously reported a successful model for treatment of BW 5147 leukemia in AKR mice by adoptive immunotherapy using allogeneic spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice. The leukemia cells were given 3 days before initiation of therapy. Graft-versus-host reaction was prevented by treatment with spleen cells from a second allogeneic strain (CBA), followed by cyclophosphamide and syngeneic spleen cells. We now show that it is not necessary to use syngeneic spleen cells in the final transplant since H-2-compatible, allogeneic CBA cells are as effective. In addition, it is possible to initiate successful therapy 5 days after leukemia implantation providing that the initial cyclophosphamide, given in two doses of 100 mg/kg each and spaced 7 days apart, is administered prior to establishment of graft-versus-host reaction. Higher single doses of drugs were followed by fatal graft-versus-host disease.

Animals↗