NEET MDS Lessons
General Pathology
Diseases from Str. pyogenes (Group A strep)
1. Streptococcal pharyngitis. Most frequent Group A infection. Throat has gray-white exudate. Infection may become systemic into blood, sinuses, jugular vein, meninges. In less than a week the M-protein and capsule production decrease, and transmission declines.
2. Skin infections, such as impetigo. Especially in children. Different M-proteins than in pharyngitis. Skin infections associated with edema and red streaking (characteristic).
3. Necrotizing fasciitis/myositis. Infection of deeper tissue advances despite antibiotics.
4. Scarlet fever. Caused by phage-associated erythrogenic toxin-producing strains. Toxins cause cardiac, renal, and other systemic failures. Rash is very red with a sand-papery feel and shedding of superficial skin.
5. Toxic Shock Syndrome. Parallels the toxic shock caused by TSST-carrying Staph. aureus.
6. Non-suppurative, post-infection diseases.
Rheumatic fever (myocarditis, cardiac valve disease, polyarthralgia, rashes. Occurs two weeks after a pharyngeal infection)
Glomerulonephritis (Occurs two weeks after pharyngeal or skin infections. Often due to immunologic reaction to M-protein type 12)
1. Pyogenic liver abscesses may be caused by E. coli, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacteroides, Pseudomonas, and fungi.
Parasitic infections
1. Schistosomiasis is caused by different organisms in different parts of the world.
a. Clinical features include splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and ascites. Lesions are caused by the immune response to ova.
2. Amebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica.
a. Clinical features include bloody diarrhea, pain, fever, jaundice, and hepatomegaly.
Drug-induced liver damage may be caused by agents that are direct hepatotoxins, such as carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen, methotrexate, anabolic steroids, and oral contraceptive pills.
Group A Streptococcus
- scarlet fever usually begins as a Streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis and then develops an erythematous rash beginning on the trunk and limbs with eventual desquamation.
- rash is due to elaboration of erythrogenic toxin by the organism
- face is usually spared, but, if involved there is a characteristic circumoral pallor and the tongue becomes bright red, thus the term "strawberry tongue".
- post-streptococcal immune complex glomerulonephritis is a possible sequela of scarlet fever.
- Dick test is a skin test that evaluates immunity against scarlet fever; no response indicates immunity (anti-toxin antibodies present); erythema indicates no immunity.
- impetigo due to Streptococcus pyogenes is characterized by honey colored, crusted lesions, while those with a predominantly bullous pattern are primarily due to Staphylococcus aureus.
- cellulitis with lymphangitis ("red streaks") is characteristic of Streptococcus pyogenes.
- hyaluronidase is a spreading factor that favors the spread of infection throughout the subcutaneous tissue unlike Staphylococcus aureus which generates coagulase to keep the pus confined.
- erysipelas refers to a raised, erythematous ("brawny edema"), hot cellulitis, usually on the face that commonly produces septicemia, if left untreated.
Fibrous and Fibro-Osseous Tumors
Fibrous tumors of bone are common and comprise several morphological variants.
1. Fibrous Cortical Defect and Nonossifying Fibroma
Fibrous cortical defects occur in 30% to 50% of all children older than 2 years of age; they are probably developmental rather than true neoplasms. The vast majority are smaller than 0.5 cm and arise in the metaphysis of the distal femur or proximal tibia; almost half are bilateral or multiple. They may enlarge in size (5-6 cm) to form nonossifying fibromas. Both lesions present as sharply demarcated radiolucencies surrounded by a thin zone of sclerosis. Microscopically are cellular and composed of benign fibroblasts and macrophages, including multinucleated forms. The fibroblasts classically exhibit a storiform pattern. Fibrous cortical defects are asymptomatic and are usually only detected as incidental radiographic lesions. Most undergo spontaneous differentiation into normal cortical bone. The few that enlarge into nonossifying fibromas can present with pathologic fracture; in such cases biopsy is necessary to rule out other tumors.
2. Fibrous Dysplasia
is a benign mass lesion in which all components of normal bone are present, but they fail to differentiate into mature structures. Fibrous dysplasia occurs as one of three clinical patterns:
A. Involvement of a single bone (monostotic)
B. nvolvement of multiple bones (polyostotic)
C. Polyostotic disease, associated with café au lait skin pigmentations and endocrine abnormalities, especially precocious puberty (Albright syndrome).
Monostotic fibrous dysplasia accounts for 70% of cases. It usually begins in early adolescence, and ceases with epiphyseal closure. It frequently involves ribs, femur, tibia & jawbones. Lesions are asymptomatic and usually discovered incidentally. However, fibrous dysplasia can cause marked enlargement and distortion of bone, so that if the face or skull is involved, disfigurement can occur.
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia without endocrine dysfunction accounts for the majority of the remaining cases.
It tends to involve the shoulder and pelvic girdles, resulting in severe deformities and spontaneous fractures.
Albright syndrome accounts for 3% of all cases. The bone lesions are often unilateral, and the skin pigmentation is usually limited to the same side of the body. The cutaneous macules are classically large, dark to light brown (café au lait), and irregular.
Gross features
• The lesion is well-circumscribed, intramedullary; large masses expand and distort the bone.
On section it is tan-white and gritty.
Microscopic features
• There are curved trabeculae of woven bone (mimicking Chinese characters), without osteoblastic rimming
• The above are set within fibroblastic proliferation
Individuals with monostotic disease usually have minimal symptoms. By x-ray, lesions exhibit a characteristic ground-glass appearance with well-defined margins. Polyostotic involvement is frequently associated with progressive disease, and more severe skeletal complications (e.g., fractures, long bone deformities, and craniofacial distortion). Rarely, polyostotic disease can transform into osteosarcoma, especially following radiotherapy.
INFLUENZA
An acute viral respiratory infection with influenza, a virus causing fever, coryza, cough, headache, malaise, and inflamed respiratory mucous membranes.
Influenza B viruses typically cause mild respiratory disease
Symptoms and Signs
mild cases:
Chills and fever up to 39 to 39.5° C
Prostration and generalized aches and pains, Headache, photophobia and retrobulbar aching
Respiratory tract symptoms may be mild at first, with scratchy sore throat, substernal burning, nonproductive cough, and sometimes coryza. Later, the lower respiratory illness becomes dominant; cough can be persistent and productive.
severe cases
sputum may be bloody. Skin is warm and flushed. Soft palate, posterior hard palate, tonsillar pillars, and posterior pharyngeal wall may be reddened, but no exudate appears. Eyes water easily, and the conjunctiva may be mildly inflamed
Encephalitis, myocarditis, and myoglobinuria are infrequent complications of influenza and, if present, usually occur during convalescence
Respiratory Pathology
A. Pulmonary infections
1. Bacterial pneumonia
a. Is an inflammatory process of infectious origin affecting the pulmonary parenchyma.
2. Bacterial infections include:
a. Streptococcus pneumoniae (most common).
b. Staphylococcus aureus.
c. Haemophilus influenzae.
d. Klebsiella pneumoniae.
e. Anaerobic bacteria from the mouth
(aspiration of oral secretions).
3. Viral infections include:
a. Influenza.
b. Parainfluenza.
c. Adenoviruses.
d. Respiratory syncytial virus.
Note: viruses can also cause pneumonia. Infection of the interstitial tissues, or interstitial pneumonia, is commonly associated with these types of infections.
Common symptoms include fever, dyspnea, and a productive cough
Two types:
(1) Lobar pneumonia
(a) Infection may spread through entire lobe(s) of lung. Intraalveolar exudates result in dense consolidations.
(b) Typical of S. pneumoniae infections.
(2) Bronchopneumonia
(a) Infection and inflammation spread through distal airways, extending from the bronchioles and alveoli. A patch distribution involving one or more lobes is observed.
(b) Typical of S. aureus, H. influenzae,and K.pneumoniae infection
Diseases that Produce a Productive Cough
Pneumonia
Lung abscess
Tuberculosis
Chronic bronchitis
Bronchiectasis
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Classification
Diseases of the respiratory system can be classified into four general areas:
- Obstructive Diseases (e.g., Emphysema, Bronchitis, Asthma)
- Restrictive Diseases (e.g., Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Alveolar Damage, Pleural Effusion)
- Vascular Diseases (e.g., Pulmonary Edema, Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Hypertension)
- Infectious, Environmental and Other Diseases (e.g., Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Asbestosis, Particulate Pollutants)
EXOCRINE PANCREAS
Congenital anomalies
1. Ectopic pancreatic tissue most commonly occurs in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, Meckel's diverticulum, and ileum. It may be either asymptomatic or cause obstruction, bleeding, intussusception.
2.Annular pancreas is a ring of pancreatic tissue that encircle the duodenum and may cause duodenal obstruction.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disorder of exocrine gland secretion presenting during infancy or childhood.
Incidence is 1:2500 in Caucasians; it is less common in Black and extremely rare in Asians.
Pathogenesis. Cystic fibrosis shows autosomal recessive transmission; heterozygotes are unaffected. It results in a defective chloride channel, which leads to secretion of very thick mucus.
Characteristics
- Tissues other than exocrine glands are normal, and glands are structurally normal until damaged by cystic fibrosis.
- The only characteristic biochemical abnormalities are an elevation of sodium and chloride levels in sweat, and a decrease in water and bicarbonate secretion from pancreatic cells, resulting in a viscous secretion.
Clinical features
- Fifteen percent of cases present with meconium ileus.
- Most cases present during the first year with steatorrhea (with resultant deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E, and K), abdominal distention, and failure to thrive.
Complications are also related to pulmonary infections'and obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of viscous bronchial secretions.
Pathology
- There is mucus plugging of the pancreatic ducts with cystic dilatation, fibrous proliferation, and atrophy. Similar pathology develops in salivary glands.
- Lungs. Mucus impaction leads to bronchiolar dilatation an secondary infection.
- The gastrointestinal tract shows obstruction caused mucus impaction in the intestines with areas of biliary cirrhosis, resulting from intrahepatic bile duct obstruction
Diagnosis depends on demonstrating a "sweat test" abnomality associated with at least one clinical feature In sweat test, high levels of chloride are demonstrated.
Prognosis. Mean survival is age 20; mortality is most often due to pulmonary infections.
Degenerative changes
1. Iron pigmentation (e.g., from hemochromatosis) may be deposited within acinar and islet cells and may cause insulin deficiency.
2. Atrophy
a. Ischemic atrophy is due to atherosclerosis of pancreatic arteries and is usually asymptomatic.
b. Obstruction of pancreatic ducts affects only the exocrine pancreas, which becomes small, fibrous, and nodular.
Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis
presents as a diffuse necrosis of the pancreas caused by the release of activated pancreatic
enzymes. Associated findings include fat necrosis and hemorrhage into the pancreas.
Incidence. This disorder is most often associated with alcoholism and biliary tract disease.
It affects middle-aged individuals and often occurs after a large meal or excessive alcohol ingestion; approximately 50% of patients have gallstones.
Pathogenesis. There are four theories.
- Obstruction of the pancreatic duct causes an elevated intraductal pressure, which results in leakage of enzymes from small ducts.
- obstruction may be caused by a gallstone at the ampulla of Vater; chronic alcohol ingestion may cause duct obstruction by edema.
- Hypercalcemia may cause activation of trypsinogen; its mechanism is unclear. Pancreatitis occurs in 20% of patients with hyperparathyroidism.
- Direct damage to acinar cells may occur by trauma, ischemia, viruses, and drugs.
- Hyperlipidemia may occur as a result of exogenous estrogen intake and alcohol ingestion.
Clinical features are typically the sudden onset of acute, continuous, and intense abdominal pain, often radiating to the back and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. This syndrome frequently results in shock.
Laboratory values reveal elevated amylase (lipase elevated after 3-4 days) and leukocytosis. Hypocalcemia is a poor prognostic sign.
Chronic pancreatitis
It refers to remitting and relapsing episodes of mild pancreatitis, causing progressive pancreatic damage.
Incidence is similar to acute pancreatitis. It is also seen in patients with ductal anomalies. Almost half the cases occur without known risk factors.
Pathogenesis is unclear; possibly, there is excess protein secretion by the pancreas, causing ductal obstruction.
Clinical features include flareups precipitated by alcohol and overeating, and drugs. Attacks are characterized by upper abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, and jaundice.
Laboratory values reveal elevated amylase and alkaline phosphatase, X-rays reveal calcifications in the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis may result in pseudocyst formation, diabetes, and steatorrhea.
Carcinoma of the pancreas
Incidence:
Carcinoma of the pancreas accounts for approximately 5% of all cancer deaths. Increased risk is associated with smoking. high-fat diet, and chemical exposure. There is a higher incidence in the elderly, Blacks, males, and diabetics.
Clinical features
- The disease is usually asymptomatic until late in its course.
- Manifestations include weight loss, abdominal pain frequently radiating to the back, weakness, malaise, anorexia, depression, and ascites.
- There is jaundice in half of the patients who have carcinoma of the head of the pancreas.
- Courvoisier's law holds that painless jaundice with a palpable gallbladder is suggestive of pancreatic cancer.
Pathology
Carcinomas arise in ductal epithelium. Most are adenocarcinomas.
- Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas accounts for 60% of all pancreatic cancers.
- Carcinoma of the body (20%) and tail (5%) produce large indurated masses that spread widely to the liver and lymph nodes.
- In 15% of patients, carcinoma involves the pancreas diffusely.
Complications
include Trousseau's syndrome, a migratory thrombophlebitis that occurs in 10% of patients.
Prognosis is very poor. if resectable, the 5-year survival rate less than 5%. The usual course is rapid decline; on average death occurs 6 months after the onset of symptoms.