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D W Kelso

Publications and source records attributed to D W Kelso.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Pleomorphic, variably acid-fast bacteria in an adult patient with disabling pansclerotic morphea.

Disabling pansclerotic morphea (DPM) is a rare variant of scleroderma, characterized by immunologic abnormalities and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Sclerodermatous skin specimens from a 24-year-old woman with DPM were studied for the presence of acid-fast bacteria in bacteriologic culture and in microscopic sections. On three of four occasions, a highly pleomorphic organism was cultured from the skin lesions. Detailed bacteriologic investigations indicated that the microbe had unstable and vacillating morphologic characteristics and peculiar acid-fast properties. The organism could be identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, but it also had stages of growth with morphologic forms more characteristic of a Corynebacterium-like or actinomycetelike microbe. Variably acid-fast coccoid forms, and variably eosinophilic- and basophilic-staining coccoid forms were observed in vivo. The morphologic forms observed in vivo were similar in appearance to some of the growth forms of the microbe observed in vitro, suggesting that such an organism might be implicated to the pathogenesis of DPM.

Adult↗

Histologic observations of coccoid forms suggestive of cell wall deficient bacteria in cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The cutaneous lesions of seven consecutive patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE), two patients with systemic LE, and a patient with both dermatomyositis and cutaneous LE, were studied bacteriologically and microscopically for the presence of bacteria. The study was prompted by the previous reports of variably acid-fast and non-acid-fast bacteria in other collagen diseases, and also by recent reports confirming the presence of cell wall deficient (CWD) bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, and corynebacteria) within the hematologic elements of both "normal" and diseased individuals. Staphylococcus epidermis was isolated from four cases. Propionibacterium acnes from two cases, and Corynebacterium sp. from one case. Three cases were bacteriologically negative. Basophilic- and eosinophilic-stained coccoid forms, suggestive of CWD bacteria, were identified in the microscopic sections of all the cases, as were non-acid-fast coccoid forms. Definite acid-fast coccoid forms were observed in vivo in two cases of cutaneous LE. The complex bacteriology of LE is discussed, as well as the possibility that variably acid-fast CWD microbes might be the long sought-after etiologic agent or agents in the production of LE.

Adult↗

Microbial findings in cancers of the breast and in their metastases to the skin. Implications for etiology.

In four cases of carcinoma of the breast, variably acid-fast coccoid forms were found in sections from their metastases to the skin and in one of these cases in sections of the primary carcinoma. In this one case, similar-appearing corcoid forms were observed within the sections of the primary malignancy. In this same case, Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured and studied at once and as it aged for development of forms comparable to those found in the microscopic sections of the neoplastic process. The implications of the findings for etiology of carcinoma of the breast are discussed.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Autopsy findings of nonacid-fast bacteria in scleroderma.

Microscopic tissue sections stained for bacteria were studied from autopsy material from a fatal case of scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis). Extra- and intracellular, variable-sized, pleomorphic but predominantly coccoid bacteria were observed in some organs such as in heart, lungs, adrenals, kidneys, pancreas, skin, and in the connective tissue. An attempt is made to correlated the ante-mortem skin culture material with the post-mortem histopathologic finding of bacteria. It is hypothesized that these microbes observed in tissue might represent in vivo, cell wall deficient L forms, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.

Adrenal Glands↗

Nodular scleroderma and pleomorphic acid-fast bacteria.

This report describes a rare form of scleroderma associated with multiple, elevated, dermal nodules. In addition, rare acid-fast bacteria, and less rare non-acid-fast coccoid forms were seen in histologic sections from the nodules. Skin culture isolates in thioglycolate broth were positive for both intermittently acid-fast coccobacilli, as well as non-acid-fast cocci compatible with Staphylococcus epidermidis. These findings reconfirm the existence of pleomorphic, acid-fast bacteria in scleroderma. The possibility is discussed that these tissue and culture forms may be related to certain similar morphologic forms currently designated as "cell-wall-deficient L forms" or may be related to previously described unusual growth forms of mycobacteria. Further investigations for microbes both in skin culture and in histologic sections from patients with scleroderma may prove helpful in elucidating any possible role that bacteria might have in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Aged↗

Histologic observations of pleomorphic corynebacterium-like microorganisms in diabetic scleredema adultorum.

Diabetic scleredema adultorum is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by scleroderma-like changes, usually affecting the skin of the neck, shoulders, and upper back in diabetics. Presented herein are two cases in which pleomorphic, but predominantly coccoid forms, were observed in acid-fast, Giemsa, and Gram-stained tissue, sections of the affected skin. Culture of the skin was positive for a microaerophilic, corynebacterium-like organism in one case and an anaerobic Propionibacterium (Corynebacterium) sp in the other case. The morphologic appearance of the bacterial isolates greatly resembled the morphologic forms observed in the tissue sections, suggesting that bacteria, possibly in a cell-wall-deficient phase, may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Findings of similar bacteria in previously reported cases of other connective tissue disorders such as sclerodermiformis, and rheumatoid arthritis, might support our idea that bacteria could supply the antigenic stimulus for the production of scleredema.

Adult↗

Hypodermitis sclerodermiformis and unusual acid-fast bacteria.

We described two patients with localized, chronic, painful, scleroderma-like lesions of the lower part of the leg associated with venous stasis. This type of lesion has been termed "hypodermitis sclerodermiformis," and we review the literature pertinent to this entity. In addition, skin biopsy material was studied for the presence of acid-fast microbes. In both cases, Fite-Faraco-stained tissue sections contained many acid-fast coccoid and giant microbial forms suggestive of transitional L forms. Culture of the lesion in both cases was positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis. Until the cause is fully clarified, the search for acid-fast bacteria appears warranted in formed of pseudoscleroderma such as hypodermitis sclerodermiformis.

Adult↗