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Query: UMLS:C0019621 (Langerhans cell histiocytosis)
 3,250 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

An unusual adult case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis is presented. The case initially mimicked granuloma annulare, both clinically and histologically. The patient subsequently had development of extensive cutaneous involvement that pathologically revealed a diffuse infiltrate of CD1-positive histiocytic cells containing Langerhans granules. Extensive investigations failed to detect systemic involvement. The patient's cutaneous eruption did not respond to various therapeutic interventions, including phototherapy with oral psoralen with long-wave UV radiation in the A range (PUVA) and systemic vinblastine sulfate. Marked but temporary clinical and histologic improvement was achieved with total body electron beam radiotherapy. The nosology of this case is discussed in the context of the various histiocytic proliferative disorders.
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PMID:Primary cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult. 192 63

Circulating immune complexes composed of HBcAg and anti-HBc have been demonstrated recently in patients with hepatitis B virus replication. After dissociation of immune complexes by chaotropic ions, HBcAg was quantified radioimmunologically. In the present study, we describe 10 patients with hepatitis B virus replication, absent or delayed anti-HBc formation and exposed HBcAg in serum. Four of the 10 patients had acute hepatitis, and six patients had chronic persistent hepatitis. In seven of 10 patients, a secondary immune defect was apparent due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, leukemia, histiocytosis X, sarcoidosis or end-stage renal disease. Electron microscopy demonstrated that Dane particles from anti-HBc-negative patients were agglutinated after addition of monoclonal anti-HBc antibodies, whereas Dane particles from anti-HBc-positive sera did not show agglutination. Monoclonal HBsAg-specific antibodies aggregated Dane particles independent of the presence of anti-HBc. Circulating HBcAg was always associated with the Dane particle fraction after density gradient separation. Hepatitis B virus core proteins from patients with and without anti-HBc studied by immunoblotting after sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis showed identical patterns. Hepatocytes from anti-HBc-negative patients were positive for HBcAg but negative for immunoglobulin G by immunofluorescence technique. The data indicate that HBcAg may also be expressed on the surface of Dane particles, where it is commonly masked by anti-HBc.
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PMID:HBcAg expressed on the surface of circulating Dane particles in patients with hepatitis B virus infection without evidence of anti-HBc formation. 274 30

Heparanase is an endo-beta D-glucuronidase capable of cleaving heparan sulfate side chains, yielding heparan sulfate fragments. Heparanase activity has been correlated with the metastatic potential of tumor-derived cells, angiogenesis, autoimmunity and inflammation. We performed a study of heparanase expression in specimens obtained from patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Paraffin embedded slides from 25 patients were studied by immunohistochemistry for heparanase. Most patients had positive staining for heparanase (21/25). There was no positive association with severity of disease and other clinical characteristics. Further studies are required to clarify the role of heparanase in the pathogenesis of LCH.
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PMID:Heparanase expression in Langerhans cell histiocytosis. 2473 57