C Queiroz1, M Barral-Netto, C E Bacchi. 1. Departments of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction and of Anatomic Pathology and Immunology, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of immunochemistry in serous effusions. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed cell blocks of 18 pleural and 18 peritoneal effusions diagnosed as malignant (18), benign (14) and suspicious (4). They were immunostained by the avidin-biotin complex method with a panel of four monoclonal antibodies--CEA, Ber-EP4, LeuM1 (CD15) and p53--and, for lectins (Ulex europaeus) UEA-l, ConA and ConBr. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 18 cases of adenocarcinoma were positive for CEA (95%), 12 (66.6%) for Ber-EP4, 11 (61%) for CD15 and 11 (61%) for p53. Twelve of the 18 (66.6%) were positive for UEA-1, CEA, Ber-EP4 and CD15. UEA-1 did not react with mesothelial cells. p53 Gave a positive reaction in only one case, reactive mesothelial cells. ConA and ConBr reacted indiscriminately with benign and malignant cells; thus, it was not useful in distinguishing between these cells. CONCLUSION: In this context no antibody used alone is reliable for corroborating a diagnosis, but the selective use of a small panel of three markers (CEA, Ber-EP4 and LeuM1) can be very useful in solving diagnostic difficulties in the cytodiagnosis of serous effusions.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of immunochemistry in serous effusions. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed cell blocks of 18 pleural and 18 peritoneal effusions diagnosed as malignant (18), benign (14) and suspicious (4). They were immunostained by the avidin-biotin complex method with a panel of four monoclonal antibodies--CEA, Ber-EP4, LeuM1 (CD15) and p53--and, for lectins (Ulex europaeus) UEA-l, ConA and ConBr. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 18 cases of adenocarcinoma were positive for CEA (95%), 12 (66.6%) for Ber-EP4, 11 (61%) for CD15 and 11 (61%) for p53. Twelve of the 18 (66.6%) were positive for UEA-1, CEA, Ber-EP4 and CD15. UEA-1 did not react with mesothelial cells. p53 Gave a positive reaction in only one case, reactive mesothelial cells. ConA and ConBr reacted indiscriminately with benign and malignant cells; thus, it was not useful in distinguishing between these cells. CONCLUSION: In this context no antibody used alone is reliable for corroborating a diagnosis, but the selective use of a small panel of three markers (CEA, Ber-EP4 and LeuM1) can be very useful in solving diagnostic difficulties in the cytodiagnosis of serous effusions.
Authors: E Pace; M Profita; M Melis; A Bonanno; A Paternò; C H Mody; M Spatafora; M Ferraro; L Siena; A M Vignola; G Bonsignore; M Gjomarkaj Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 4.330