Distribution of immune cell populations was studied in a C3H/HeJ mouse model of intestinal amebiasis from 5 to 60 days post-inoculation with Entamoeba histolytica, using immunoperoxidase techniques. At various time intervals, the ceca from mice were fixed in 10% formalin, dehydrated, embedded and sectioned at 5 microm. Sections were incubated with conjugated peroxidase-labelled antibodies to mouse IgA, IgM, and IgG. Color was developed with 3, 3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB)/H2O2 solution. CD3, CD4, and CD8 cells, as well as neutrophils were detected by reacting with biotin-conjugated anti-mouse CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD11 monoclonal antibodies, followed by their incubation with avidin-peroxidase and color development with DAB/H2O2 solution. Erythrocin B and toluidine blue were used to stain eosinophils and Mast cells, respectively. It was observed that the IgA+ plasma cell was the dominating immune cell present in the mucosa, although eosinophils, neutrophils, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgM+, IgG+ cells and Mast cells were also seen. Results of this study suggest that infiltration of immune cells at the mucosal surface during intestinal amebiasis might be important in the defense against this parasite.

Background: Increased CA-125 concentrations are seen during ovulation and menstruation. It is produced from endometrium and irritation of peritoneum (by infection/surgery/endometriosis). High plasma levels of more than 200 U/mL are usually suggestive of malignancy but rarely found in benign conditions of female genital tract, like endometriosis. Case Report: Two patients with abdominal mass and suspected diagnosis of ovarian malignancy presented with high levels of CA-125. In the first case, endometrioma excision was done with unilateral salpingoophorectomy The second case was treated by hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy. A fall in CA-125 levels was observed in both cases, and no recurrence was reported on follow up. Conclusion: Endometrioma should be suspected in adnexal mass with high CA-125, even in the absence of widespread endometriosis.

No abstract

Ciliates coexisting in a habitat evolve different strategies to survive during the period of unfavourable environmental conditions. In response to starvation, Pseudourostyla levis, underges a novel phenomenon of pseudoencystment, which physiologically resembles true encystment but is functionally unrelated to it. During pseudoencystment, cells become dormant and rounded but do not secrete a cyst wall. Pseudocysts revert back to active trophic state after 12 hours without reference to any change in the environment. During this transformation, changes in the cellular morphology are accompanied by nuclear changes, reduced transcriptional activity and increased autophagy. The process of pseudoencystment is a short-term survival strategy evolved by P. levis to overcome the periods of food depletion.

Free living ciliates are exposed to environmental challenges such as starvation, temperature fluctuations, high population density and salinity variations. Ciliates lower their metabolic activity and form cysts, an adaptive strategy evolved in response to environmental stress. In the present study on Pseudourostyla levis, a novel phenomenon of pseudoencystment had been noticed in which cells entered a state of dormancy but did not secrete a cyst wall. The process of pseudoencystment, which physiologically resembled true encystment, was functionally unrelated to it and was thus designated as pseudoencystment. Unlike true cysts, pseudocysts remained dormant for about 12 hours and then reverted to the active trophic state without any change in the environmental conditions. Another unique feature of pseudoencystment, was the synchronized induction of pseudocysts formation, achieved by a brief spell of starvation and the pseudocysts reverted to active trophic state without any change in environmental conditions. The  state of dormancy did not provide any long-term protection to the ciliate and appeared to be a short term adaptation to the environment. The present study aimed to analyze the parameters for the induction of pseudocyst formation, cortical topological changes and to study the possible significance of this process. However, occasionally true cysts were also obtained by prolonged starvation, lasting 3-4 days but true cysts required either food or a fresh culture medium for excystation.