A rapid and easy method for the DNA extraction from Cryptococcus neoformans

DNA isolation from C. neoformans is difficult due to a thick and resistant capsule. We have optimized a new and rapid DNA isolation method for Cryptococcus using a short urea treatment followed by a rapid method using a chelex resin suspension. This procedure is simpler than previously reported methods

Leydig Cell Tumor Associated with Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors in a Patient with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 11β-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) describes a group of inherited autosomal recessive disorders characterized by enzyme defects in the steroidogenic pathways that lead to the biosynthesis of cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens. Chronic excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation may result in hyperplasia of ACTH-sensitive tissues in adrenal glands and other sites such as the testes, causing testicular masses known as testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs). Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) are make up a very small number of all testicular tumors and can be difficult to distinguish from TARTs. This distinction is interesting because LCTs and TARTs require different therapeutic approaches. Hereby, we present an unusual case of a 19-year-old patient with CAH due to 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, who presented with TARTs and an epididymal Leydig cell tumor

Lipid peroxidation, proteins modifications, anti-oxidant enzymes activities and selenium deficiency in the plasma of hashitoxicosis patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the oxidative stress profile in hashitoxicosis (HTX) and to compare it with that of healthy subjects. Patients and methods: Spectrophotometric methods were used to evaluate the oxidative stress markers. The selenium level was investigated by atomic absorption. Results: High levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and conjugated dienes were found in HTX patients ( p = 0.034 and p = 0.043, respectively) compared with healthy controls. For antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities increased, whereas that of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased ( p = 0.000, p = 0.014, p = 0.000, respectively) compared with controls. A reduction in the level of selenium ( p = 0.029) and thiol groups ( p = 0.008) were shown in patients; however, levels of carbonyl group and malondialdehyde (MDA) protein adducts decreased ( p = 0.000) compared with controls. Positive correlation was shown between levels of free thyroxine (FT4) and TBARS ( r = 0.711, p = 0.048) and between FT4 level and SOD activity ( r = 0.713, p = 0.047). Conversely, GPx activity presented a negative correlation with FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels ( r = –0.934, p = 0.001; r = –0.993, p = 0.000, respectively). In addition, GPx activity showed positive correlation with selenium level ( r = 0.981, p = 0.019) and the FT3 level correlated negatively with the level of thiol groups ( r = –0.892, p = 0.017). Conclusions: This study shows the presence of an oxidative stress and selenium deficiency in HTX patients and suggests that the hyperthyroid state is strongly implicated in the establishment of this disturbed oxidative profile

La péritonite chyleuse en dialyse péritonéale

Chylous peritonitis (CP) is a rare complication in patients on peritoneal dialysis. There are many reasons for this. It can occur as a result of a traumatic insertion of the peritoneal dialysis catheter or secondary to infectious or drug causes. The evolution is favorable at the elimination of the causative agent. We report 3 cases of PC occurring in 3 patients on peritoneal dialysis. In 2 patients, CP was secondary to calcium channel blockers and in 1 case associated with lymph node tuberculosis. The cessation of the causative agent allowed a clarification of the effluent dialysate. CP is a mild form of non-infectious peritonitis that is often confused with infectious peritonitis. In this article we discuss the etiologies of CPs, the pathophysiology and the conduct to be held in front of a CP.La péritonite chyleuse (PC) est une complication rare chez les patients en dialyse péritonéale. Les causes sont multiples. Elle peut survenir suite à une insertion traumatique du cathéter de dialyse péritonéale ou secondaire à des causes infectieuses ou médicamenteuses. L’évolution est favorable à l’élimination de l’agent causal. Nous rapportons 3 cas de PC survenant chez 3 patients en dialyse péritonéale. Chez 2 patients, la PC était secondaire à la prise d’inhibiteurs calciques et dans 1 cas associé à une tuberculose ganglionnaire. L’arrêt de l’agent causal a permis un éclaircissement du dialysat effluent. La PC est une forme bénigne de péritonite non infectieuse qui prête souvent à confusion avec les péritonites infectieuses. Dans cet article nous discutons les étiologies des PC, la physiopathologie et la conduite à tenir devant une PC