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General Pathology

Smallpox (variola)
 
- vesicles are well synchronized (same stage of development) and cover the skin and mucous membranes.
 - vesicles rupture and leave pock marks with permanent scarring.

Hyperparathyroidism 

Abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) cause hypercalcemia. This can result from either primary or secondary causes. Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused usually by a parathyroid adenoma, which is associated with autonomous PTH secretion. Secondary  hyperparathyroidism, on the other hand, can occur in the setting of chronic renal failure. In either situation, the presence of excessive amounts of this hormone leads to significant skeletal changes related to a persistently exuberant osteoclast activity that is associated with increased bone resorption and calcium mobilization. The entire skeleton is affected. PTH is directly responsible for the bone changes seen in primary hyperparathyroidism, but in secondary hyperparathyroidism additional influences also contribute. In chronic renal failure there is inadequate 1,25- (OH)2-D synthesis that ultimately affects gastrointestinal calcium absorption. The hyperphosphatemia of renal
failure also suppresses renal α1-hydroxylase, which further impair vitamin D synthesis; all these eventuate in hypocalcemia, which stimulates excessive secretion of PTH by the parathyroid glands, & hence elevation in PTH serum levels. 

Gross features
• There is increased osteoclastic activity, with bone resorption. Cortical and trabecular bone are lost and replaced by loose connective tissue. 
• Bone resorption is especially pronounced in the subperiosteal regions and produces characteristic radiographic changes, best seen along the radial aspect of the middle phalanges of the second and third fingers.

Microscopical features

• There is increased numbers of osteoclasts and accompanying erosion of bone surfaces.
• The marrow space contains increased amounts of loose fibrovascular tissue.
• Hemosiderin deposits are present, reflecting episodes of hemorrhage resulting from microfractures of the weakened bone.
• In some instances, collections of osteoclasts, reactive giant cells, and hemorrhagic debris form a distinct mass, termed "brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism". Cystic change is common in such lesions (hence the name osteitis fibrosa cystica). Patients with hyperparathyroidism have reduced bone mass, and hence are increasingly susceptible to fractures and bone deformities.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
a. Characterized by the rapid degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and corticospinal tracts.
b. More common in men in their 50s.
c. Clinically, the disease results in rapidly progressive muscle atrophy due to denervation. Other symptoms include fasciculations, hyperreflexia, spasticity, and pathologic reflexes. Death usually occurs within a few years from onset, usually by respiratory failure or infection.

THROMBOSIS 
Pathogenesis (called Virchow's triad):
1. Endothelial* Injury ( Heart, Arteries)
2. Stasis
3. Blood Hypercoagulability

- Endothelial cells are special type of cells that cover the inside surface of blood vessels and heart.

CONTRIBUTION OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS TO COAGULATION

Intact endothelial cells maintain liquid blood flow by: 

1- inhibiting platelet adherence
2- preventing coagulation factor activation
3- lysing blood clots that may form.

Endothelial cells can be stimulated by direct injury or by various cytokines that are produced during inflammation.

Endothelial injury results in:
1- expression of procoagulant proteins (tissue factor and vWF)→ local thrombus formation.
2- exposure of underlying vWF and basement membrane collagen  →  platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. 

RESPONSE OF VASCULAR WALL CELLS TO INJURY( PATHOLOGIC EFFECT OF VASCULAR HEALING) 

Injury to the vessel wall results in a healing response, involving:
- Intimal expansion (proliferating SMCs and newly synthesized ECM). This involves signals from ECs, platelets, and macrophages; and mediators derived from coagulation and complement cascades.

- luminal stenosis & blockage of vascular flow 

Causes of Endothelial injury
1. Valvulitis
2. MI
3. Atherosclerosis
4. Traumatic or inflammatory conditions
5. Increased Blood Pressure
6. Endotoxins
7. Hypercholesterolemia
8. Radiation
9. Smoking 

Stasis

- Stasis is a major factor in venous thrombi
- Normal blood flow is laminar (platelets flow centrally in the vessel lumen, separated from the endothelium by a slower moving clear zone of
plasma)
- Stasis and turbulence cause the followings:

Disuption of normal blood flow 
prevent dilution of activated clotting factor
retard inflow of clotting factor inhibitor
promote endothelial cell injury

Causes of Stasis
1. Atherosclerosis
2. Aneurysms
3. Myocardial Infarction ( Non-cotractile fibers)
4. Mitral valve stenosis (atrial dilation)
5. Hyper viscosity syndromes (PCV and Sickle Cell anemia)


Hypercoagulability
A. Genetic (primary):
- mutations in the factor V gene and the prothrombin gene are the most common
B. Acquired (secondary):
- multifactorial and more complicated 
- causes include: Immobilization, MI, AF, surgery, fracture, burns, Cancer, Prosthetic cardiac valves 

MORPHOLOGY OF THROMBI 

Can develop anywhere in the CVS (e.g., in cardiac chambers,  valves, arteries, veins, or capillaries).

Arterial or cardiac thrombi→ begin at sites of endothelial injury; and are usually superimposed on an atherosclerotic plaque. 

 Venous thrombi → occur at sites of stasis. Most commonly the veins of the lower extremities (90%)

 Thrombi are focally attached to the underlying vascular surface; arterial and venous thrombi both tend to propagate toward the heart.
→ The propagating portion of a thrombus is poorly attached → fragmentation and embolus formation

LINES OF ZAHN

Thrombi can have grossly (and microscopically) apparent laminations called lines of Zahn; these represent pale platelet and fibrin layers alternating with darker erythrocyte-rich layers. 

Such lines are significant in that they represent thrombosis of flowing blood. 

Mural thrombi = Thrombi occurring in heart chambers or in the aortic lumen.

Causes: -Abnormal myocardial contraction (e.g. arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, or MI) -endomyocardial injury (e.g. myocarditis, catheter trauma)

Vegetations ->Thrombi on heart valves 

1- Bacterial or fungal blood-borne infections - (infective endocarditis,). 

2- Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis occur on sterile valves.

Fate of thrombi 

1. Propagation → Thrombi accumulate additional platelets and fibrin, eventually causing vessel obstruction 

2. Embolization → Thrombi dislodge or fragment and are transported elsewhere in the vasculature 

3. Dissolution → Thrombi are removed by fibrinolytic activity (Usually in recent thrombi) 

4. Organization and recanalization → Thrombi induce inflammation and fibrosis. - recanalization (re-establishing some degree of flow) - Organization = ingrowth of endothelial cells, smooth cells and fibroblasts into the fibrin rich thrombus.

5. Superimposed infection (Mycotic aneurysm)

Venous thrombi → most common in veins of the legs 

a. Superficial: e.g. Saphenous veins. - can cause local congestion, swelling, pain, and tenderness along the course of the involved vein, but they rarely embolize

a. Deep: e.g. Popliteal, Femoral and iliac vein. - more serious because they may embolize - can occur with stasis or hypercoagulable states
 

Glycogen storage diseases (glycogenoses)

1. Genetic transmission: autosomal recessive.

2. This group of diseases is characterized by a deficiency of a particular enzyme involved in either glycogen production or degradative pathways.

Diseases include:
on Gierke disease (type I)
(a) Deficient enzyme: glucose-6-phosphatase.
(b) Major organ affected by the buildup of glycogen: liver.

Pompe disease (type II)

(1) Deficient enzyme: α-glucosidase(acid maltase).
(2) Major organ affected by the buildup of glycogen: heart.

Cori disease (type III)
(1) Deficient enzyme: debranching enzyme (amylo-1,6-glucosidase).
(2) Organs affected by the buildup of glycogen: varies between the heart, liver, or skeletal muscle.

Brancher glycogenosis (type IV)
(1) Deficient enzyme: branching enzyme.
(2) Organs affected by the buildup of glycogen: liver, heart, skeletal muscle, and brain.

McArdle syndrome (type V)
(1) Deficient enzyme: muscle phosphorylase.
(2) Major organ affected by the buildup of glycogen: skeletal muscle.

Measles (rubeola) 

-incubation period 7 to 14 days 

-begins with fever (up to 40 degrees C), cough, conjunctivitis (photophobia is first sign), and coryza (excessive mucous production)Æfollowed by Koplik's spots (red with white center) in the mouth, posterior cervical Lymphadenopathy, and a generalized, blanching, maculopapular, brownish-pink rash (viral induced vasculitis) beginning at the hairline and extending down over the body which gradually resolves in 5 days with some desquamation. 

CONGESTION

Congestion or hyperaemia means an increase in the content of blood in an organ. It may be :

A. Active - due to increased arterial flow to the organ with dilatation of micro vessels as in

  • Inflammation.
  • Increased metabolic activity.
  • Neurogenic blushing.

B. Passive - due to decreased venous drainage resulting in pooling of blood. There is always an associated element of oedema.

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