Metastatic malignant melanoma in bone marrow with occult primary site – a case report with review of literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Metastases of malignant melanoma to the bone marrow are very rare. A few case reports are published in the literature with a known primary site.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>Herein we present a case of metastatic malignant melanoma in bone marrow with occult primary site in a 22- year-old-male. Diagnosis was confirmed by morphology and immunohistochemistry. A pertinent review of literature is also presented by using relevant articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) database. The search was based on the following terms: metastasis or metastases, malignant melanoma and bone marrow.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this report we discuss a rare case of metastatic malignant melanoma to the bone marrow with an unknown primary. Clinicians must be aware of the varied clinical manifestations of disseminated malignant melanoma even if the primary site is not evident.</p

Evaluation of Water Quality, Urinary Mercury & Arsenic Investigation and Survey of Diseases Associated with Drinking Water Sources

Background: Contamination of freshwater sources can be caused by both anthropogenic and natural processes. WHO reported that 1.1 billion people worldwide consume contaminated water, and the majority of diarrheal diseases (88%) are caused by it. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra along with two other states contribute 80% of hazardous waste, including heavy metal pollution in India. Certain dissolved heavy metals are easily absorbed by aquatic organisms and can enter the body through drinking water, skin absorption, and biological chains, posing a health risk. Hence, the main objectives of the study were, (1) surface and groundwater quality assessment, (2) to determine the association of diseases/symptoms with different sources of drinking water used, and (3) urinary Mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) levels investigation in the study population. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the industrialized city of Solapur, Maharashtra, India. The study area was limited to 25 km around the industrial hub. A total of 557 people were randomly selected for the survey, with consumers from all four types of water sources i.e., surface, handpump, wells, and municipal water. Spot urine samples were collected for estimating Hg and As levels after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. People under treatment for tuberculosis, cancer, and chronic heart, lung, or kidney ailments were excluded. Also, pregnant and lactating women were not included. One surface water, one municipal water, and five handpump water samples were collected for evaluating water quality. Samples were analyzed for pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Fluoride, Ammonia, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Chromium, and Manganese. Results: The water samples were observed to be neutral to slightly basic. TDS was between 410 to 1898 mg/L for groundwater whereas for surface water was 378 &amp; 450 mg/L. F concentration ranged between 0.4 to 0.9 mg/L, Zn from 0.32 to 0.57 mg/L, and NH3 was found to be &lt;0.1 mg/L. Out of 557 people, 43 (7.7%) used surface water, 194 (34.8%) used handpump, 64 (11.5%) used well, and 256 (46%) used municipal water. Among surface water users, 14 (32.5%) people reported frequent loose stools (p-value &lt;0.05), and 11 (25.5%) people reported frequent abdominal pain. Handpump and well water users majorly reported frequent abdominal pain and gastric discomfort (p-value &lt;0.05) respectively. 47 people were selected for estimating urinary Hg and As levels after considering exclusion and inclusion criteria. The mean value of urinary Hg &amp; As are 4.91 ± 0.280 &amp; 42.04 ± 2.635 µg/L respectively. &nbsp;Conclusion: In our study frequent loose stools, abdominal pain, and gastric discomfort were associated with the various sources of drinking water. Urine Hg levels were above the permissible reference value set by NHANES (USA) Survey. Additionally, it is advised that frequent drinking water monitoring be implemented in the vicinity of the industrial hub since metal accumulation may be dangerous to consumers when it is present in excess, and if found higher, necessary action should be taken to reduce exposure

Infection of Human Papillomavirus Type 18 and p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism in Lung Cancer Patients From India

Study objectives: Infection with specific high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 and polymorphism of p53 codon 72 has been strongly associated with the genesis of various neoplasms in humans, but such study in lung cancer is limited and the results are controversial. In India, the role of these two factors has been strongly implicated in cervical and other cancers, but the occurrence of HPV or p53 codon 72 polymorphism has not been examined in lung cancer, which is the most common cause of cancer-related death in India. Design and patients: A total of 40 tumor biopsy specimens from advanced lung cancer patients and blood samples from 40 matching control subjects were obtained for the analysis of high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 infection and p53 codon 72 polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Only HPV type 18 was detected in 5% (2 of 40 lung cancer patients), but no other HPV could be detected. A significantly increased frequency of Arg/Arg homozygotes was observed in patients with advanced lung cancer when compared to that of control subjects (p = 0.004; odds ratio, 5.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.59 to 17.26). However, no significant correlation could be made between p53 polymorphism and different clinical stages, except for advanced stage IV patients, who showed a higher proportion of Arg/Pro heterozygous genotype. Conclusions: HPV detected in a small proportion of lung cancer patients in India demonstrated an exclusive prevalence of HPV type 18, and there was a significantly higher frequency of p53 Arg/Arg genotype when compared to that of control subjects. Observation of a shorter duration of symptoms (≤ 4 months) in as many as 78% (seven of nine stage IV patients) with Arg/Pro genotype may be an indication that lung cancer patients with the heterozygous p53 genotype are more susceptible to early progression

Rare association of Visceral leishmaniasis with Hodgkin's disease: A case report

We present here a case of young male with complaints of fever and swelling in the neck for eight months. History of progressive weakness associated with weight loss was present. Physical examination revealed pallor, multiple enlarged cervical lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly. Investigations showed pancytopenia, hyperglobinemia and Leishman-Donovan bodies on bone marrow aspiration. Serological test confirmed diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. However, cervical lymph node aspiration and biopsy were suggestive of Mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease. This made it a very rare case of Leishmaniasis as an opportunistic infection in a patient of pre-chemotherapy Hodgkin's disease. There was marked improvement in haematological profile and regression of hepatosplenomegaly with Amphotericin B treatment followed by favourable response to chemotherapy. The case emphasizes the suspicion for leishmaniasis as a masquerader and as an opportunistic infection in haematological malignancies

Isolated abdominal sarcoidosis presenting with hypercalcemic crisis: A rare case

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown origin, with pulmonary findings in more than 90% of patients. Extrapulmonary involvement is common and all organs can be involved (especially lymph nodes, eyes, joints, and central nervous system) but it is rare to find an isolated extrapulmonary disease (< 10% of patients). Granulomatous inflammation of the spleen and the liver is common in patients with systemic sarcoidosis while hepatosplenomegaly is unusual and splenic involvement rare. We are describing a rare case of abdominal sarcoidosis presenting with the hypercalcemic crisis but no pulmonary involvement

C-reactive protein in lower respiratory tract infections

Introduction : C-reactive protein being an acute phase protein rises in pneumonia and may be helpful in differentiating patients with lung parenchymal infection from patients with infection sequestered to the bronchial tree. Methods : A prospective study was undertaken where 48 pneumonia patients and 35 patients of COPD with acute exacerbation were included. Serum CRP levels and other traditional markers of infection and chest x-ray were done on presentation. Results : The mean CRP was found to be 75.87&#x00B1;17.1mg/L in patients with pneumonia and 16.71&#x00B1;20.76mg/L in patients with COPD in acute exacerbation. A highly significant (p=0.0012) difference was found in the CRP values between the two groups using the &#x2032;t&#x2032; test. More than 70&#x0025; of pneumonia patients had CRP value&#62; 50mg/L with less than 3&#x0025; of COPD patients having the same. Conclusion : Serum CRP may be a useful adjunctive test in pneumonia patients in distinguishing endobronchial versus parenchymal infection. A CRP value of more than in 50mg/L favours pneumonia