ABSTRACT COVID-19 is commonly associated with high serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the post-infection status can disturb self-tolerance and trigger autoimmune responses. We are reporting a 45-year-old male who was admitted with fatigue, jaundice, elevated liver enzymes (with cholestatic pattern), and acute kidney injury two weeks after recovering from a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serologies for viral hepatitis and anti-mitochondrial antibody were negative, while anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were positive. There were no signs of chronic liver disease, and a magnetic resonance cholangiography showed no dilatation of biliary ducts. Histologic evaluation of the liver evidenced numerous foci of lobular necrosis without ductopenia or portal biliary reaction. Considering the autoantibody profile and histologic changes, the medical team started oral prednisone, but there was a suboptimal biochemical response in the outpatient follow-up. Two months later, a second liver biopsy was performed and revealed non-suppurative destructive chronic cholangitis, extensive areas of confluent necrosis with hepatocytes regenerating into pseudorosettes, and numerous plasma cells. According to the Paris Criteria, the patient was then diagnosed with an autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome (AIH-PBC-OS). After adding azathioprine and ursodeoxycholic acid to the treatment, there was a satisfactory response. This is the second worldwide report of an AIH-PBC-OS triggered by COVID-19, but the first case with a negative anti-mitochondrial antibody. In this setting, histologic evaluation of the liver by an experienced pathologist is a hallmark of achieving the diagnosis and correctly treat the patient.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a presença de foco de criptas aberrantes (FCA) em mucosa macroscopicamente normal, localizada na periferia de um câncer colorretal (CCR) e correlacionar a progressão tumoral destes FCA para o CCR, por meio da expressão da β-catenina e o Ki-67. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se 21 espécimes cirúrgicos contendo adenocarcinoma de junção retossigmóide. Foram coletadas amostras localizadas a 1 e 5 cm proximal e distal ao tumor, quando possível, bem como um fragmento da neoplasia. Os FCA foram selecionados. Subseqüentemente foi realizado estudo imunoistoquímico com os anticorpos β-catenina e o Ki-67. RESULTADOS: A expressão nuclear da β-catenina nos adenocarcinomas, revelou freqüência de 81%. O Ki-67 apresentou a mesma freqüência. Apesar disso o coeficiente Kappa revelou fraca concordância entre estes anticorpos. Foram observados 20 FCA, sendo que 13 destes focos localizavam-se nas proximidades do tumor. Nenhum dos FCA apresentou expressão da β-catenina nuclear, tampouco para o Ki-67. CONCLUSÃO: Nas áreas situadas a 1 cm da neoplasia colorretal, foi observada maior concentração de FCA em relação às áreas situadas a 5 cm do tumor. No entanto, não se observou correlação entre a expressão da β-catenina e ki-67 nos colonócitos das criptas aberrantes das áreas estudadas, com as células neoplásicas do adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in macroscopic normal mucosa surrounding colorectal cancers (CRC); additionally, analyze tumor progression from ACF to CRC by means of β-catenin and Ki-67 expression. METHODS: Twenty-one surgical specimens showing colorectal junction adenocarcinoma were included. Macroscopic normal mucosa proximal and distal to the primary tumor was sampled at a distance of 1 and 5 cm in both sides. A primary tumor sample was also retrieved. Eventually, ACF's were selected and immunohistochemical analysis of β-catenin and Ki-67 were carried out. RESULTS: Among all adenocarcinoma samples, the frequency of positive â-catenin nuclear expression was 81%. The Ki-67 expression demonstrated the same percentage of positivity as did β-catenin. However, the Kappa coefficient showed weak relationship between those two antibodies. Among 20 ACF's analyzed, 13 were located close (1 cm) to the tumor. None of the ACF's demonstrated nuclear expression of β-catenin or Ki-67. CONCLUSION: Higher concentrations of ACF's were observed in colonic mucosa at a distance of 1 cm compared to samples at 5 cm from the primary CRC. However, we could not demonstrate positive correlation between colonocytes β-catenin expression and the occurrence of ACF's.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B e C na população indígena Kaingang da reserva de Mangueirinha, no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. MÉTODO: A presença dos marcadores sorológicos anti-HBc, anti-HBs, AgHBs e anti-VHC foi investigada em amostras de sangue de 214 voluntários (81 do sexo masculino e 133 do sexo feminino) usando técnicas imunoenzimáticas. Os participantes responderam a um questionário sobre os aspectos sociodemográficos, as condições de vida, os hábitos e o histórico de doenças e de vacinação. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 29,85 anos (1 a 90 anos). Foi observada uma positividade de 71,02% para o marcador anti-HBs e de 15,42% para o anti-HBc. Nenhum caso foi positivo para o marcador AgHBs. Somente um participante, uma mulher de 30 anos, apresentou positividade para anti-VHC. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostram baixa prevalência de infecção pelo VHB e pelo VHC na população Kaingang estudada. A alta prevalência de anti-HBs nas faixas etárias mais baixas indica uma boa abrangência da imunização ativa artificial. Na população adulta, é provável que a imunidade contra o VHB tenha sido adquirida principalmente de forma natural, pelo contato com o vírus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among Kaingang Indians living on the Mangueirinha reservation in the state of Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: The presence of viral markers was investigated in blood samples from 214 volunteers (81 males, 133 females), using immunoenzymatic techniques. The viral markers studied were: antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). The participants answered a questionnaire on their sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, personal habits (such as smoking and consuming alcohol or illicit drugs), and history of disease and of vaccination. RESULTS: The respondents ranged in age from 1 to 90 years; their mean age was 29.85 years. Positivity for anti-HBs was 71.02%, and for anti-HBc it was 15.42%. None of the individuals was positive for HBsAg. Anti-HCV was detected in only one participant, a 30-year-old woman. CONCLUSIONS: There were low prevalences of HBV and HCV infection in the Kaingang population studied. The high prevalence of anti-HBs in younger individuals indicates good immunization coverage. In the adult population, immunity against HBV was probably acquired mainly by contact with the virus.

Retalhos venosos são aqueles que apresentam em seu pedículo apenas uma veia, diferente dos retalhos convencionais que são caracterizados por entrada de sangue arterial e saída de sangue venoso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar se a transposição do retalho venoso unipediculado modifica a sua área de sobrevida e vascularização. As orelhas de oito coelhos foram submetidas à realização de retalhos venosos. Dissecou-se um retalho de pele de dois por dois centímetros baseado no pedículo distal da veia marginal anterior. Os retalhos foram divididos em dois grupos: no grupo I(n=8), os retalhos venosos foram levantados e suturados na mesma posição; no grupo II (n=8), os retalhos foram levantados e transpostos 90 graus. Estes dois grupos foram comparados entre si e ao grupo III(n=8), no qual foi realizado enxerto de pele com subcutâneo sobre um leito bem vascularizado. A área média de necrose no grupo I (6,5%) foi significativamente menor que no grupo II (43,75%), e as áreas de necrose dos grupos I e II foram significativamente menor do que no grupo III (88,75%). O estudo angiográfico não mostrou alterações no padrão vascular comparando-se os grupos I e II. A veia marginal anterior foi importante para a sobrevida do retalho. Houve uma maior área de necrose do grupo II, em que foi realizada transposição, em relação ao grupo I.

Conventional flaps are caracterized by arterial blood inflow and venous blood outflow. Venous flaps have only one vein in their pedicle. Determination of survival area and vascularization in transpositioned venous flaps is the aim of this study. A 2x2 cm² skin flap, based in the distal pedicle of anterior marginal vein, was performed in 8 rabbits ears. The flaps were divided in two groups: group I (n=8)-the flaps were elevated are fixated in the same position.; group II (n=8)-the flaps were elevated and transpositioned in 90°. These two groups were compared in between and with group III (n=8), in which was performed a skin graft. Necrosis mean area in group I (6,5%) was smaller than in group II (43,5%), and in both groups I and II was smaller than group III (88,75%). Angiography didn't alterations in vascular pattern comparing groups I and II. Anterior marginal vein was important for flap survival. Necrosis area in group II, which was transpositioned, was wider than in group I.