Androgen receptors are expressed in a variety of human fetal extragenital tissues： an immunohistochemical study

Aim： To investigate the expression of androgen receptors in the extragenital tissues of developing human embryo. Methods： Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the distribution of androgen receptor （AR） in the extragenital tissues of paraffin-embedded tissue sections of first trimester （8-12 weeks gestation） human embryos. Gender was determined by polymerized chain reaction. Results： There were no differences in the expression and distribution of AR in male and female embryos at any stage of gestation. AR expression was seen in the thymus gland. The bronchial epithelium of the lungs showed intense positive staining with surrounding stroma negative. Furthermore, positive staining for androgen receptor was exhibited in the spinal cord with a few positive cells in the surrounding tissues. Cardiac valves also showed strong positive staining but with faint reactivity of the surrounding cardiac muscle. There was no staining in kidney, adrenal, liver or bowel. Conclusion： This study demonstrates that immunoreactive AR protein is present in a wide variety of human first trimester fetal tissues and shows the potential for androgen affecting tissues, which are mostly not considered to be androgen dependent. Moreover, it implies that androgen might act as atrophic factor and affect the early development of these organs rather than simply sexual differentiation.

Genital and Extragenital Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a widely reported transplantable tumor in dogs, with no breed or sex predilection and with a low metastatic rate. This retrospective study conducted from 2005 and 2011 sought to evaluate the total number of TVT cases, and to report extragenital TVT lesions in dogs from the small tropical island of Grenada, West Indies. Evaluation of the biopsy and necropsy specimens from dogs with TVT was carried out by cytological and histopathological methods. In the present study, we observed a total of 78 dogs with TVT, comprising 40 male and 38 female dogs. Most cases were from dogs between 3 and 6 years;less frequently from older dogs (over 6 years) or younger dogs (1 - 2 years of age). In the present study, we report 15 cases (19.2%) of dogs with TVT in extragenital sites. Tumors were noted in the nasal cavity, eye orbit, spleen, liver, skin, ribs, subcutaneous, and submandibular, cervical and inguinal lymph nodes. There was also evidence of metastasis to the ovaries in 2 dogs. The most interesting finding was the presence of extragenital lesions without primary genital involvement in 4 cases (5.1%). Our findings emphasize the need to consider TVT on the list of differential diagnosis for masses in extragenital sites in dogs from geographic regions where TVT is prevalent.

Primary extragenital mixed malignant Mullerian tumour presenting as a painful splenic mass: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Mixed malignant Mullerian tumours(MMMTs)are highly aggressive cancers that present at a late stage and are associated with a poor long-term prognosis.They are characterised by the presence of both epithelial and sarcomatous tissue types on histological examination and hence are known as biphasic tumours or carcinosarcomas.MMMTs almost always arise in the female genital tract(most commonly the uterus)but extragenital sites are also possible.Treatment options are limited and usually consists of surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old woman presented with a 1-wk history of worsening left upper quadrant abdominal pain and a perisplenic mass on computed tomography(CT)scan.Features on imaging raised the possibility of a malignant process but were not diagnostic.Splenectomy was performed and histology confirmed the presence of a mixed malignant Mullerian tumour.A subsequent pelvic ultrasound identified another heterogenous cystic mass in the Pouch of Douglas without evidence of primary pathology in the uterus or adnexa.A second operation was performed for this with curative intent but previously-unknown widespread metastases were encountered at laparotomy.A biopsy of the pelvic mass confirmed it was also a MMMT with identical histological features to the perisplenic mass.There was no clinical or histological evidence of the MMMT having arisen primarily from the female genital tract.The patient subsequently suffered multi-organ failure and was palliated,succumbing to death on the 19th post-operative day.CONCLUSION Primary extragenital MMMT arising from the spleen or peritoneum represents an atypical form of an already rare gynaecological tumour.

Mycoplasma hominis Pneumonia Presented as a Cavitary Mass with a Halo Sign in an Immunocompetent Adult Male:A Case Report

Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic microorganism that colonizes the genitourinary tract and causes genitourinary infections.However,pulmonary infections caused by M.hominis have rarely been reported in immunocompetent individuals.Herein,we report a rare case of an immunocompetent adult male with M.hominis pneumonia who presented with multiple pulmonary nodules that progressed to a cavitary mass with a halo sign.The presence of M.hominis infection was confirmed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(mPCR)of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.The patient demonstrated no response to the initial levofloxacin therapy;however,the symptoms subsequently improved after the administration of moxifloxacin.M.hominis may be an underestimated causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia of unknown etiology in immunocompetent adults,and the involvement of the organism should be especially suspected in sexually active patients.Molecular diagnostic methods,such as mPCR,can be used to identify the etiology of atypical pneumonia.Appropriate antibiotics are crucial for effective treatment.