Note: The library does not contain Harsh Mohan's textbook, but it has Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology - the international gold standard from which Harsh Mohan draws heavily. All answers below are sourced from Robbins (equivalent content, same exam answers).
PATHOLOGY PAPER I - COMPLETE ANSWERS
(Source: Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology)
GENERAL PATHOLOGY
Introduction to Pathology
SN 1. Telepathology (Pg. 7)
Telepathology is the practice of pathology at a distance using telecommunications technology. A digital image or live video of a microscopic slide is transmitted from one location to another for interpretation. Types include:
- Static telepathology - pre-selected digital images sent for consultation
- Dynamic (live) telepathology - real-time video transmission with remote control of the microscope stage
- Whole-slide imaging (WSI) - entire slide digitized at high resolution and viewed remotely
Uses: Frozen section diagnosis in remote hospitals, expert consultation, quality assurance, education, and research.
Injury, Cellular Adaptations and Cellular Aging
SN 1. Calcification - Types; Dystrophic Calcification; Dystrophic vs. Metastatic - Differences
Definition: Pathological calcification = abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues.
Types:
- Dystrophic calcification - calcium deposition in dead or dying tissue; serum calcium is NORMAL
- Metastatic calcification - calcium deposition in normal viable tissue; serum calcium is ELEVATED (hypercalcaemia)
Dystrophic Calcification:
- Occurs in necrotic tissue, atheromatous plaques, old tuberculous lesions, dead parasites, necrotic tumours
- Mechanism: Cell death → loss of membrane integrity → intracellular calcium rises → phospholipids of dead membranes bind calcium → hydroxyapatite crystal formation
- Gross: Chalky-white, gritty deposits
- Micro: Granular blue deposits (H&E), amorphous or crystalline
Differences - Dystrophic vs. Metastatic:
| Feature | Dystrophic | Metastatic |
|---|
| Tissue type | Dead/necrotic | Normal/viable |
| Serum calcium | Normal | Elevated |
| Causes | Necrosis, TB, atheroma | Hyperparathyroidism, vit D toxicity, bone destruction, renal failure |
| Sites | Local (site of injury) | Widespread (lung, kidney, gastric mucosa, blood vessels) |
| Clinical significance | Common, usually harmless | Can impair organ function |
SN 2. Apoptosis - Definition, Examples, Morphological Changes, Mechanisms, Causes
Definition: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed form of cell death characterized by activation of specific intracellular enzymes (caspases) that orchestrate cell deletion without provoking an inflammatory reaction.
Morphological Changes:
- Cell shrinkage (cytoplasm condenses, organelles pack tightly)
- Chromatin condensation (pyknosis) - chromatin aggregates under nuclear membrane
- Nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis)
- Formation of apoptotic bodies - membrane blebs pinch off containing nuclear fragments and organelles
- Phagocytosis by adjacent cells or macrophages - NO inflammation
Mechanisms:
-
Mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway:
- Triggered by DNA damage, oxidative stress, loss of growth factors
- Pro-apoptotic signals → decrease Bcl-2, Bcl-XL → cytochrome c released from mitochondria → forms apoptosome with Apaf-1 → activates caspase-9 → activates effector caspases (3, 6, 7)
-
Death receptor (extrinsic) pathway:
- Fas ligand binds Fas (CD95) or TNF binds TNFR1
- FADD recruited → activates caspase-8 → effector caspases activated
Physiological causes: Embryogenesis, involution of hormone-dependent organs (endometrium), deletion of auto-reactive T lymphocytes, tumour regression
Pathological causes: DNA damage (radiation, drugs), viral infections (HIV, hepatitis), ischemia
SN 3. Endogenous Pigments
| Pigment | Origin | Color | Location | Significance |
|---|
| Hemosiderin | Hb degradation (iron-containing) | Golden-brown granules | Macrophages, tissues after haemorrhage | Local: haematomas; Systemic: haemosiderosis |
| Bilirubin | Hb degradation (iron-free) | Yellow-green | Bile ducts, liver | Jaundice |
| Melanin | Tyrosine via tyrosinase in melanocytes | Brown-black | Skin, choroid, adrenal medulla | Protects against UV; excess in Addison's |
| Lipofuscin | Peroxidation of lipids ("wear-and-tear") | Yellow-brown granules | Liver, heart, neurons (aged) | Brown atrophy; marker of oxidative damage |
| Haematin (malarial pigment) | Hb digestion by Plasmodium | Dark brown-black | Brain, spleen, liver | Malaria |
SN 4. Necrosis - Types, Examples, Mechanisms; Caseous, Coagulative, Liquefactive
Definition: Necrosis is cell death accompanied by denaturation of proteins and enzymatic digestion, occurring in a living organism. It always elicits inflammation.
Mechanism: Irreversible cell injury → inability to maintain ionic gradients → massive calcium influx → activation of enzymes (phospholipases, proteases, endonucleases) → breakdown of membranes, proteins, DNA → cell lysis.
Types:
-
Coagulative Necrosis
- Protein denaturation predominates over enzymatic digestion
- Architecture of dead tissue is preserved (ghost outline)
- Cause: Ischemia/infarction (except brain)
- Example: MI (pale infarct in heart, kidney, spleen)
- Gross: Firm, pale, chalky
- Micro: Anucleate cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm, preserved cell outlines
-
Liquefactive Necrosis
- Enzymatic digestion predominates → tissue liquefies
- Cause: Bacterial/fungal infections (pus = dead neutrophils + bacteria + liquefied tissue); brain infarcts (rich in lipids and water)
- Example: Brain abscess, cerebral infarct, lung abscess
- Gross: Creamy-yellow fluid (pus) or cystic cavity
- Micro: Debris, neutrophils, liquid
-
Caseous Necrosis
- Combination of coagulative + liquefactive - unique to tuberculosis (and some fungi)
- Gross: Friable, white-yellow, "cheesy" (cheese-like) material
- Micro: Amorphous granular debris surrounded by granulomatous inflammation (epithelioid macrophages + Langhans giant cells + lymphocytes); NO preserved cell architecture
- Sites: Lung, lymph nodes (TB)
-
Fat Necrosis
- Lipase action on adipose tissue
- Cause: Acute pancreatitis (enzymatic), trauma to breast
- Gross: Chalky white deposits (calcium soaps = saponification)
- Micro: Shadowy fat cell outlines with basophilic calcium deposits
-
Gangrenous Necrosis
- Not a distinct pattern; usually coagulative (dry gangrene) + superimposed liquefactive (wet gangrene)
- Common in limb ischemia
-
Fibrinoid Necrosis
- Vascular walls - immune complex deposition + plasma protein leak
- Micro: Bright pink, homogeneous deposits in vessel walls (H&E)
- Seen in: Malignant hypertension, polyarteritis nodosa
SN 5. Reperfusion Injury - Definition, Mechanism
Definition: Additional injury that occurs when blood flow is restored to ischemic tissue, paradoxically worsening cell death beyond what ischemia alone would cause.
Mechanism:
- ROS burst - reoxygenation generates massive reactive oxygen species (superoxide, H2O2, OH•) via xanthine oxidase and mitochondria; antioxidant defenses are depleted during ischemia
- Neutrophil influx - complement activation and cytokines attract neutrophils → further ROS + proteases
- Calcium overload - damaged membranes allow massive Ca2+ influx → activates destructive enzymes
- Mitochondrial permeability transition - MPT pore opens on reperfusion → cytochrome c release → apoptosis
Result: Larger infarct size despite restored flow. Relevant in MI (post-PCI), stroke, organ transplantation.
SN 6. Metaplasia, Hypertrophy/Hyperplasia, Atrophy - Definitions with Examples
a) Metaplasia: A reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by another adult cell type, usually in response to persistent injury/irritation.
- Squamous metaplasia: columnar → squamous in bronchus (smokers), bladder (Schistosoma), cervix (ectropion)
- Glandular/intestinal metaplasia: squamous → glandular in Barrett esophagus (chronic GERD)
- Significance: Predisposes to dysplasia/carcinoma if stimulus persists
b) Hypertrophy: Increase in cell SIZE (not number) due to increased workload or hormonal stimulation.
- Examples: Cardiac hypertrophy in hypertension, skeletal muscle in athletes, pregnant uterus
Hyperplasia: Increase in cell NUMBER due to increased mitotic activity; occurs in cells capable of division.
- Examples: Endometrial hyperplasia (excess estrogen), nodular hyperplasia of prostate, compensatory liver hyperplasia post-hepatectomy, thyroid hyperplasia in iodine deficiency
c) Atrophy: Shrinkage in cell SIZE by loss of cell substance; may involve decreased cell number (apoptosis).
- Physiologic: Thymus in adulthood, uterus post-partum
- Pathologic causes: Disuse (immobilization), denervation, ischemia, malnutrition, loss of endocrine stimulation, pressure
SN 7. Atrophy - Brown Atrophy of Heart
Brown Atrophy of Heart:
- Seen in elderly persons, severe malnutrition, cancer cachexia
- Gross: Small, shrunken heart; epicardial fat replaced by serous atrophy (gelatinous, watery); coronary arteries appear tortuous (serpentine) due to shrunken myocardium
- Micro: Cardiac myocytes shrunken; prominent brown lipofuscin granules at both poles of nucleus (residual bodies from autophagic vacuoles = "wear-and-tear" pigment)
- Causes: Old age, cachexia, malnutrition
LAQ 1. Necrosis - Definition, Types with Examples
(See SN 4 above - full detail already provided)
LAQ 2. Fatty Change - Etiopathogenesis; Fatty Liver - Morphology
Etiopathogenesis of Fatty Change (Steatosis):
Normal fat metabolism in liver: Free fatty acids (FFA) reach liver → oxidized for energy OR esterified to triglycerides → combined with apoprotein → VLDL → exported.
Fatty change results when any of these steps is impaired:
- Excess FFA delivery (obesity, DM, starvation - mobilization of peripheral fat)
- Decreased oxidation (hypoxia, alcohol - NADH excess shifts away from oxidation)
- Increased esterification (excess glucose → acetyl CoA → FFA synthesis; alcohol promotes)
- Decreased apoprotein synthesis → impaired VLDL export (protein malnutrition, CCl4 toxicity, alcohol)
- Impaired secretion of lipoproteins
Common causes: Alcohol (most common in developed world), obesity, DM Type 2, protein malnutrition, hepatotoxins (CCl4, tetracycline)
Fatty Liver - Morphology:
- Gross: Liver enlarged (may reach 3-6 kg), pale yellow, greasy, soft, edges rounded
- Micro: Microvesicular steatosis: small fat droplets in cytoplasm, nucleus central (seen in acute fatty liver of pregnancy, Reye syndrome); Macrovesicular steatosis: single large fat vacuole displaces nucleus to periphery (alcoholic/NASH)
- Stains: Fat droplets stain with Oil Red O on frozen sections (dissolved in formalin-fixed paraffin sections)
LAQ 3. Free Radicals and Free Radical-Induced Cell Injury
Free Radicals:
Chemical species with a single unpaired electron in an outer orbital - highly unstable, react with DNA, proteins, lipids.
Important ROS:
- Superoxide (O2•-) - generated by mitochondria
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - from dismutation of O2•-
- Hydroxyl radical (OH•) - most reactive; formed by Fenton reaction (Fe2+ + H2O2)
Generation:
- Normal metabolism (mitochondrial electron transport)
- Reperfusion after ischemia (xanthine oxidase)
- Ionizing radiation
- Metabolism of drugs/chemicals (CCl4 → CCl3•)
- Activated macrophages (respiratory burst - NADPH oxidase)
Removal/Defense:
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) → H2O2
- Catalase → H2O + O2
- Glutathione peroxidase
- Antioxidants: vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene
Mechanisms of cell injury by ROS:
- Lipid peroxidation - chain reaction destroying cell and organelle membranes
- Protein oxidation - fragmentation, cross-linking, enzyme inactivation
- DNA damage - strand breaks, base modifications (8-OH-deoxyguanosine), mutations → cancer, aging
LAQ 4. Pigments - Classification; Disorders of Hemoprotein-derived Pigments
Classification:
- Exogenous: Carbon (anthracosis), silica, tattoo pigments
- Endogenous: Hemosiderin, bilirubin, melanin, lipofuscin, haematin
Hemoprotein-derived Pigments:
A. Hemosiderin (iron-containing):
- Derived from degradation of Hb (heme → ferritin → hemosiderin)
- Stain: Prussian blue (Perls' stain)
- Local: Bruising, pulmonary haemosiderosis (heart failure cells = siderophages in lung)
- Systemic hemosiderosis: Iron overload without tissue damage (multiple transfusions, dietary excess)
- Hemochromatosis: Iron overload WITH organ damage - liver cirrhosis, pancreatic fibrosis (bronze diabetes), skin pigmentation, cardiomyopathy, hypogonadism
B. Bilirubin (iron-free):
- Hb → biliverdin → bilirubin → conjugated in liver → excreted in bile
- Accumulation = jaundice/icterus (yellow discoloration of skin, sclera, mucosae)
- Types: Pre-hepatic (haemolytic), hepatic (hepatocellular), post-hepatic (obstructive/cholestatic)
- Kernicterus: Unconjugated bilirubin deposits in basal ganglia of neonates
C. Haematin/Malarial pigment (haemozoin):
- Hb digestion by Plasmodium → haematin deposited in brain, spleen, liver
- Gross: Black discoloration of spleen, liver; "slate-grey" brain
Immunopathology Including Amyloidosis
SN 1. Hypersensitivity Reactions - Definition, Classification; Type I in Detail
Definition: Hypersensitivity reactions are immune responses that are excessive or inappropriate, causing tissue injury.
Gell and Coombs Classification:
| Type | Name | Mechanism | Examples |
|---|
| I | Immediate/Anaphylactic | IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation | Anaphylaxis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria |
| II | Cytotoxic/Antibody-dependent | IgG/IgM against cell surface antigens → complement, ADCC | Haemolytic anaemia, Goodpasture, myasthenia gravis, ABO incompatibility |
| III | Immune complex | Antigen-antibody complexes → complement activation → neutrophil recruitment | SLE, serum sickness, post-streptococcal GN, Arthus reaction |
| IV | Delayed-type/Cell-mediated | T-lymphocyte mediated (Th1 and CTL) - no antibody | TB, contact dermatitis, graft rejection, MS |
Type I Hypersensitivity (Immediate):
Pathogenesis:
- Sensitization phase: First exposure to allergen → Th2 cell activation → IL-4, IL-5 production → B-cell class switching to IgE → IgE binds high-affinity FcεRI receptors on mast cells/basophils
- Effector phase (re-exposure): Allergen cross-links IgE on mast cells → mast cell degranulation
Mast cell mediators:
- Pre-formed (immediate - within minutes): Histamine (vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, increased permeability), heparin, eosinophil/neutrophil chemotactic factors
- Newly synthesised (late - 2-24 hrs): Leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4 - potent bronchoconstrictors, > histamine), PGD2, thromboxane, PAF; cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, TNF)
Clinical manifestations:
- Local: Allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, urticaria, food allergy
- Systemic (anaphylaxis): Massive mast cell degranulation → vasodilatory shock, bronchospasm, laryngeal oedema - life-threatening; treat with epinephrine
SN 2. Amyloid - Definition, Classification, Molecular Structure, Special Stains, Physicochemical Properties
Definition: Amyloid is a pathological extracellular deposit of abnormal fibrillar proteins that share a common beta-pleated sheet configuration, regardless of the nature of the precursor protein.
Molecular Structure:
- Beta-pleated sheet (antiparallel) - the defining feature shared by all amyloids
- Fibrils ~7.5-10 nm diameter; 4-6 fibrils wound around each other
- P component (SAP - serum amyloid P) - non-fibrillar glycoprotein present in all amyloid deposits
- Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) - promotes fibrillogenesis
Physicochemical Properties:
- Beta-pleated sheet → resistance to proteolysis
- Insoluble in physiologic conditions
- Apple-green birefringence with Congo red under polarized light (diagnostic)
- Negative charge
Special Stains:
- Congo red - salmon-pink/orange color (light microscopy); apple-green birefringence under polarized light (PATHOGNOMONIC)
- PAS - positive
- Metachromatic with crystal violet/methyl violet
- Thioflavin T/S - fluorescence
- EM - 7.5-10 nm non-branching fibrils
Classification:
| Type | Precursor Protein | Clinical Setting |
|---|
| AL (Amyloid Light chain) | Immunoglobulin light chains (λ > κ) | Primary amyloidosis, multiple myeloma |
| AA (Amyloid-Associated) | Serum Amyloid A (SAA) | Secondary/reactive amyloidosis (RA, TB, Crohn's) |
| Aβ | Amyloid precursor protein (APP) | Alzheimer disease |
| ATTR | Transthyretin (TTR) | Familial neuropathy; senile systemic amyloidosis |
| Aβ2M | Beta-2 microglobulin | Long-term haemodialysis |
| AIAPP | Islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) | Type 2 diabetes (pancreatic islets) |
| AEL/AEndo | - | Endocrine tumours |
SN 3. Sago Spleen; Amyloidosis of Spleen - Gross and Microscopic Features
Sago Spleen:
- Early amyloid deposition in the Malpighian corpuscles (white pulp - lymphoid follicles)
- Gross: Spleen normal or slightly enlarged; white pulp appears as small, discrete, translucent, grey, tapioca/sago grain-like nodules against red background → "Sago spleen"
- Micro: Amyloid deposited in and around central arterioles and lymphoid follicles; Congo red positive deposits
Lardaceous (Diffuse) Spleen:
- Later stage - amyloid deposits extend into red pulp sinusoids
- Gross: Spleen markedly enlarged, firm, waxy, lard-like appearance ("lardaceous spleen")
- Micro: Diffuse sheets of amyloid in red pulp replacing normal architecture
SN 4. Autoimmune Disorders - Mechanisms
Mechanisms of autoimmune disease:
- Failure of central tolerance - self-reactive T and B cells normally deleted in thymus/bone marrow; defects in AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene allow escape
- Failure of peripheral tolerance:
- Defective clonal anergy (self-reactive cells not silenced)
- Defective regulatory T cells (Tregs)
- Activation of anergic self-reactive lymphocytes by co-stimulation
- Molecular mimicry: Foreign antigens (microbial) share epitopes with self antigens → antibody cross-reacts (e.g., post-streptococcal rheumatic fever - M protein vs. cardiac myosin)
- Bystander activation: Inflammation releases cytokines that activate quiescent self-reactive lymphocytes
- Polyclonal lymphocyte activation: EBV, LPS activate B cells non-specifically
- Exposure of sequestered antigens: Lens proteins, sperm antigens, myelin → exposed after trauma
- Altered antigen: Drug-modified self proteins (e.g., methyldopa-modified RBCs → AIHA)
- Genetic factors: HLA associations (HLA-DR2, DR3, DR4, B27)
SN 5. Neoplasms in HIV/AIDS Patients
Due to severe immunodeficiency, HIV patients are prone to:
- Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) - most common AIDS-defining malignancy; caused by HHV-8; spindle cell tumour of endothelium; cutaneous, oral, GI, pulmonary
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - aggressive B-cell lymphomas (Burkitt, large B-cell); EBV-associated; CNS lymphoma pathognomonic of AIDS
- Primary CNS Lymphoma - EBV-driven; highly aggressive; seen only with severe immunosuppression
- Invasive Cervical Carcinoma - HPV-related; AIDS-defining
- Anal Carcinoma - HPV-related
- Hodgkin Lymphoma - increased risk (mixed cellularity type)
- Leiomyosarcoma in children with AIDS (EBV-associated)
LAQ 1. Autoimmunity - Definition, Pathogenesis
(See SN 4 above for full mechanisms)
Definition: Autoimmunity is a breakdown in self-tolerance resulting in an immune response (antibodies and/or T cells) directed against one's own tissues, causing disease.
LAQ 2. AIDS - Etiology, Transmission, Natural History, Diagnosis
Etiology: HIV-1 (worldwide; more virulent) and HIV-2 (West Africa; less virulent). Retrovirus - RNA genome + reverse transcriptase. Envelope glycoproteins: gp120 (binds CD4 + CCR5/CXCR4 co-receptors), gp41 (fusion).
Routes of Transmission:
- Sexual contact (most common worldwide) - vaginal, anal intercourse
- Parenteral - IV drug use (shared needles), blood transfusion, needlestick injury
- Vertical (mother to child) - transplacental, at birth (most common), breastfeeding
Natural History (Phases):
- Early/Acute HIV syndrome (2-4 weeks post-exposure): Flu-like illness (fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, rash, myalgia); CD4 drops transiently; high viraemia; seroconversion occurs
- Chronic latent phase (clinical latency, years - up to 10): Asymptomatic; ongoing viral replication in lymph nodes; CD4 gradually falls (500-200 cells/µL); Persistent Generalized Lymphadenopathy (PGL)
- AIDS (CD4 < 200 cells/µL OR AIDS-defining illness): Opportunistic infections (PCP, CMV retinitis, Cryptococcal meningitis, Toxoplasmosis), AIDS-defining cancers (KS, NHL), wasting, dementia
Diagnosis:
- Screening: ELISA for anti-HIV antibodies (sensitivity >99.5%)
- Confirmatory: Western blot
- 4th generation tests: HIV p24 antigen + antibody detection (detects earlier)
- HIV RNA PCR (viral load): Monitoring treatment response; diagnosis in neonates
- CD4 count: Stages disease; CD4 < 200 = AIDS; CD4 < 50 = severe immunodeficiency
Derangements of Homeostasis and Haemodynamics
SN 1. Infarct - Definition, Types
Definition: An infarct is an area of ischemic necrosis caused by occlusion of the vascular supply (arterial or venous).
Types:
Based on colour:
-
White (pale/anaemic) infarct:
- Arterial occlusion in solid organs (heart, kidney, spleen)
- No collateral circulation; end-arteries
- Gross: Wedge-shaped, pale, firm
- Coagulative necrosis
-
Red (haemorrhagic) infarct:
- Venous occlusion, dual blood supply (lung, small intestine), loose tissue, reperfusion
- Gross: Wedge-shaped, red/haemorrhagic
- Examples: Pulmonary infarct, intestinal infarct, brain infarct (if reperfused), testicular torsion
Based on sepsis:
- Bland infarct - sterile
- Septic infarct - infected embolus seeds infarct → abscess formation
SN 2. Oedema - Definition, Classification; Transudate vs. Exudate Differences
Definition: Oedema is excess fluid in interstitial tissue or body cavities (hydrothorax, ascites, hydropericardium).
Pathogenetic Classification:
- Increased hydrostatic pressure - heart failure, venous obstruction
- Decreased oncotic pressure (hypoproteinaemia) - nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, malnutrition
- Lymphatic obstruction (lymphoedema) - filariasis, post-mastectomy, tumour
- Sodium and water retention - renal failure, hyperaldosteronism
- Increased vascular permeability (inflammation) - histamine, kinins, cytokines
Transudate vs. Exudate:
| Feature | Transudate | Exudate |
|---|
| Protein content | < 3 g/dL | > 3 g/dL |
| Specific gravity | < 1.012 | > 1.020 |
| LDH | Low | High |
| Appearance | Clear, watery | Turbid, cloudy |
| Cells | Few | Many (neutrophils, etc.) |
| Cause | Non-inflammatory (hydrostatic/oncotic) | Inflammatory (infection, tumour) |
| Mechanism | Ultrafiltrate - no vascular injury | Vascular injury + protein leak |
| Examples | CCF, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome | Pneumonia, TB pleuritis, peritonitis |
SN 3. Virchow's Triad; Thrombus - Gross and Microscopic Features
Virchow's Triad (factors predisposing to thrombosis):
- Endothelial injury - most important; exposes subendothelial collagen + tissue factor; trauma, hypertension, atherosclerosis, inflammation; directly activates coagulation cascade
- Abnormal blood flow (stasis or turbulence) - stasis in heart failure/atrial fibrillation/venous stasis; turbulence in aneurysms/arterial plaques; disrupts laminar flow, brings platelets in contact with endothelium, prevents dilution of activated clotting factors
- Hypercoagulability (thrombophilia) - primary (genetic - factor V Leiden, prothrombin mutation, antithrombin III deficiency, protein C/S deficiency); secondary (acquired - malignancy, pregnancy, OCP, antiphospholipid syndrome, smoking)
Thrombus:
- Gross: Lines of Zahn = alternating pale (platelet/fibrin) and dark red (RBC) layers - pathognomonic of ante-mortem clot (distinguishes from post-mortem clot which is homogeneous)
- Micro: Fibrin meshwork trapping RBCs, platelets, leukocytes; lines of Zahn; organized thrombus shows ingrowth of smooth muscle and endothelial cells (recanalisation)
Fate of thrombus:
- Propagation
- Embolisation
- Dissolution (fibrinolysis)
- Organisation and recanalisation
SN 4. Pathways Leading to Systemic Oedema from Primary Heart Failure - Figure
Primary (Left) Heart Failure → Systemic Oedema:
Left Heart Failure
↓
↓ Cardiac output → ↓ Renal perfusion
↓
Activation of RAAS + ADH secretion
↓
Na+ and H2O retention
↓
↑ Plasma volume + ↑ Venous pressure
↓
↑ Capillary hydrostatic pressure
↓
Fluid transudation into interstitium
↓
SYSTEMIC OEDEMA (peripheral, dependent)
Also: Left → pulmonary congestion → pulmonary oedema → right heart failure → systemic venous hypertension
SN 5. Embolism - Definition; Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Definition: An embolus is an intravascular solid, liquid, or gaseous mass carried by blood to a site distant from its point of origin. Embolism is the process of lodgement of an embolus.
Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE):
- Source: 95% from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs (femoral, popliteal, iliac veins)
- Risk factors: Virchow's triad (immobilization, surgery, pregnancy, malignancy, OCP)
Effects (depend on size):
- Massive PTE (>60% pulmonary circulation blocked): Sudden death, acute cor pulmonale, cardiovascular collapse
- Moderate PTE (subsegmental): Pulmonary infarction (lung infarct = red/haemorrhagic, wedge-shaped, pleural surface)
- Small/microemboli: Often asymptomatic; pulmonary hypertension if recurrent
Gross: Pale grey-red thrombus in pulmonary artery branches; "saddle embolus" straddles main bifurcation
SN 6. Liver and Spleen in Right-Sided Heart Failure
Liver (Nutmeg Liver / Congestive Hepatopathy):
- Gross: Enlarged, tense, dark-red; cut surface shows mottled red-yellow pattern like nutmeg (centrilobular congestion = dark red, peripheral fatty change = pale yellow)
- Micro: Centrilobular (zone 3) congestion and necrosis - sinusoids dilated and filled with RBCs; hepatocytes around central veins atrophied/necrotic; peripheral hepatocytes may show fatty change
- Chronic: "Cardiac cirrhosis" (fibrosis extending from central veins)
Spleen (Congestive Splenomegaly):
- Gross: Enlarged (up to 500 g), tense, firm, dark-red; cut surface seeps blood
- Micro: Dilated sinusoids filled with RBCs; occasional infarcts; long-standing congestion → fibrous thickening of sinusoidal walls and trabeculae → "Gamna-Gandy bodies" (foci of old haemorrhage with haemosiderin and calcium deposits - visible on MRI)
LAQ 1. Oedema - Full Discussion
(Definition, classification, pathogenesis covered in SN 2 above)
Pulmonary Oedema:
- Causes: Left heart failure (most common), mitral stenosis, ARDS, hypoalbuminaemia, high-altitude
- Pathophysiology:
- Left heart failure → ↑ pulmonary venous pressure → ↑ capillary hydrostatic pressure → fluid transudation into alveolar walls (interstitial oedema) → then into alveoli (alveolar oedema)
- Gross: Lungs heavy (>1000g), wet, boggy; frothy pink fluid in airways
- Micro: Alveolar septa widened by fluid; alveoli filled with pink proteinaceous fluid; red blood cells (haemorrhage); macrophages with haemosiderin ("heart failure cells" / siderophages)
LAQ 2. Embolism - Full Discussion
Types of Emboli:
- Thromboembolism (most common - 99%) - venous or arterial
- Fat embolism - long bone fractures, liposuction; fat globules enter veins; lungs → brain, kidneys; Fat Embolism Syndrome: dyspnoea, petechiae, neurological signs 24-72h post-fracture
- Air/Gas embolism - IV injection, thoracocentesis, diving (caisson disease/decompression sickness); nitrogen gas bubbles in joints, bones, CNS ("bends")
- Amniotic fluid embolism - obstetric emergency; amniotic contents enter uterine veins; DIC, respiratory failure
- Tumour embolism - metastasis mechanism
- Septic embolism - infected thrombus/endocarditis vegetations
- Atheromatous embolism - cholesterol crystal embolism (blue-toe syndrome)
Air Embolism: >100 mL air needed for death; "mill-wheel" murmur; frothy blood in right heart; treat by placing patient in left lateral Trendelenburg position
LAQ 3. Thrombus - Full Discussion
(See SN 3 above for pathogenesis, Virchow's triad, gross, micro, fate)
LAQ 4. Normal Haemostasis
Phases:
-
Primary haemostasis (platelet plug):
- Injury → vasoconstriction (reflex + endothelin)
- Von Willebrand factor (vWF) bridges subendothelial collagen to GPIb on platelets (adhesion)
- Platelets activated → shape change, degranulation (ADP, TXA2, serotonin) → platelet aggregation (GPIIb/IIIa + fibrinogen) → loose platelet plug
-
Secondary haemostasis (coagulation cascade):
- Extrinsic pathway: Tissue factor (TF/Factor III) + Factor VII → Factor X activation
- Intrinsic pathway: Contact activation (XII → XI → IX) → Factor X
- Common pathway: Xa + Va (prothrombinase complex) → thrombin (IIa); thrombin cleaves fibrinogen → fibrin; XIIIa cross-links fibrin → stable clot
- Thrombin amplifies itself by activating V, VIII, XI, XIII
-
Clot limitation (natural anticoagulants):
- Antithrombin III (inhibits thrombin, Xa, IXa)
- Protein C + Protein S (inactivate Va and VIIIa)
- Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI)
- Prostacyclin (PGI2) + Nitric oxide from intact endothelium
-
Fibrinolysis: tPA → plasminogen → plasmin → degrades fibrin; D-dimer released
Inflammation and Healing
SN 1. Factors Affecting Wound Healing - Enumerate; Complications
Local factors:
- Wound size and depth
- Blood supply (ischaemia impairs healing)
- Infection (most common cause of delayed healing)
- Foreign bodies
- Wound edges (apposition, tension)
- Radiation (impairs vascularity)
Systemic factors:
- Nutrition - protein deficiency, vitamin C deficiency (collagen synthesis impaired), zinc deficiency
- Metabolic disease - diabetes mellitus (impaired neutrophil function, vascular disease)
- Glucocorticoids/steroids (anti-inflammatory, inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis)
- Immunosuppression
- Old age
- Anaemia
- Uraemia
Complications of wound healing:
- Infection
- Dehiscence (wound breakdown) - obesity, infection
- Hernia
- Keloid - excess collagen deposition beyond wound margins; more common in dark skin
- Hypertrophic scar - excess collagen within wound
- Contracture - excess myofibroblast activity → joint deformity, restricted movement
- Excessive granulation tissue ("proud flesh")
- Pigmentation changes
- Malignant transformation (Marjolin's ulcer - squamous carcinoma in chronic scar/burn)
SN 2. Chemotaxis and Phagocytosis
Chemotaxis:
- Directed migration of leukocytes along a chemical gradient toward site of injury
- Chemotactic agents (exogenous and endogenous): Bacterial products (fMLP - N-formyl-methionyl peptides), complement fragments (C5a), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), IL-8 (CXCL8), TGF-β
- Mechanism: Chemoattractant binds G-protein-coupled receptors → activates phospholipases, Rho GTPases → actin polymerization at leading edge → cell crawls towards stimulus
Phagocytosis:
Steps:
- Recognition and attachment - Opsonization (coating of microbe with IgG Fc or C3b) enhances phagocytosis via Fc receptors and complement receptors (CR3) on phagocytes
- Engulfment - pseudopod extension → phagosome formation
- Killing and degradation:
- Oxygen-dependent (ROS) - NADPH oxidase generates superoxide → H2O2 → HOCl (hypochlorous acid via MPO) - most bactericidal
- Oxygen-independent - bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI), defensins, lysozyme, lactoferrin, cathepsins
SN 3. Lepromatous Leprosy - Gross and Microscopic Findings
Lepromatous Leprosy (LL):
- Caused by Mycobacterium leprae; occurs in patients with poor cell-mediated immunity (anergic)
- Th2 response (anti-inflammatory); high antibody levels but ineffective
Gross:
- Widespread symmetric skin lesions - macules, papules, nodules (lepromas)
- Leonine facies (loss of eyebrows/eyelashes - madarosis, thickened skin of face)
- Saddle nose deformity (nasal septum destruction)
- Nerve thickening (ulnar, common peroneal, great auricular)
- Orchitis → testicular atrophy
- Involvement of viscera (liver, spleen, lymph nodes, marrow)
Microscopy:
- Granulomatous inflammation with foamy (Virchow) macrophages (lepra cells) packed with acid-fast bacilli
- NO epithelioid granulomas (poor CMI)
- Grenz zone (subepidermal clear zone between epidermis and inflammatory infiltrate)
- Abundant bacilli demonstrable on Fite-Faraco (modified ZN) stain = high bacterial index
- Lymphocytes sparse
SN 4. Primary Tuberculosis - Pathogenesis
- Inhalation of droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis
- Bacteria deposit in lower part of upper lobe or upper part of lower lobe (area of greatest airflow) → phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages
- Bacteria survive within macrophages by inhibiting phagolysosome fusion
- Primary (Ghon) focus forms - initially non-specific pneumonic consolidation
- Bacteria spread via lymphatics to hilar lymph nodes → Ghon complex = Ghon focus + lymphangitis + hilar lymphadenopathy
- Sensitization (3-8 weeks): T cells activate macrophages (via IFN-γ) → epithelioid granuloma formation (delayed hypersensitivity, Type IV) → central caseous necrosis
- Outcomes of primary TB in immunocompetent host:
- 90-95%: Healing - fibrosis, calcification → Ranke complex (calcified Ghon complex)
- 5-10%: Progressive primary TB (especially children, immunocompromised)
SN 5. Inflammation - Chemical Mediators
Vasoactive mediators:
- Histamine - mast cells, basophils; early response; vasodilation, ↑ permeability
- Serotonin - platelets; vasoconstriction at high doses
- Bradykinin - from kinin system; vasodilation, ↑ permeability, pain
- Nitric oxide (NO) - vasodilation, anti-platelet
Lipid mediators:
- Prostaglandins (PGE2, PGI2) - vasodilation, fever, pain (via COX pathway)
- Leukotrienes: LTB4 - chemotaxis; LTC4/D4/E4 - bronchoconstriction, ↑ permeability (SRSA)
- PAF (Platelet activating factor) - bronchoconstriction, vasodilation
Plasma protein-derived:
- Complement - C3a, C5a (anaphylatoxins - mast cell degranulation, chemotaxis); C5b-9 (MAC)
- Coagulation/Kinin system - XIIa → bradykinin, plasmin, thrombin
Cytokines:
- TNF, IL-1 - fever, acute phase reaction, vascular changes, leukocyte adhesion
- IL-8 (CXCL8) - potent neutrophil chemotactic factor
- IL-6 - acute phase protein synthesis (CRP, fibrinogen, complement)
Cell-derived:
- Lysosomal enzymes - from neutrophils/macrophages
- ROS - bactericidal; tissue damage
- Neuropeptides - substance P (pain, vascular permeability)
SN 6. Ridley and Jopling Classification of Leprosy
| Type | Immunity | Skin | Nerves | Bacilli (BI) | Lepromin Test |
|---|
| TT (Tuberculoid) | High CMI | Few (<5), well-defined, anaesthetic | Few, thickened early | 0 | Strongly positive |
| BT (Borderline Tuberculoid) | Good CMI | Few to several | Several | +/- | Positive |
| BB (Mid-Borderline) | Unstable | Multiple, bizarre | Multiple | + to ++ | Weakly positive |
| BL (Borderline Lepromatous) | Poor CMI | Many, less defined | Many | +++ | Negative |
| LL (Lepromatous) | Absent CMI | Numerous, symmetric | Diffuse, late | ++++ | Negative |
Indeterminate leprosy = earliest form (before classification)
SN 7. Acute Inflammation - Cellular Events; Definition, Vascular Events, Types
Definition: Acute inflammation is the immediate and early response to injury, characterized by exudation of fluid and plasma proteins and emigration of leukocytes (predominantly neutrophils) into the extravascular tissue.
Vascular Events:
- Transient vasoconstriction (seconds)
- Vasodilation (arterioles, venules) → increased blood flow → redness (rubor) and heat (calor)
- Increased vascular permeability → protein-rich exudate leaks into interstitium → swelling (tumor); mechanisms:
- Endothelial cell contraction (histamine, bradykinin - immediate transient, venules)
- Endothelial injury (direct injury - all vessels)
- Leukocyte-mediated endothelial injury (late prolonged)
- Transcytosis (VEGF)
- Stasis of blood flow → rouleaux formation
Cellular Events (Leukocyte Recruitment):
- Margination - leukocytes move from axial flow to periphery (stasis)
- Rolling - loose adhesion via selectins (P-selectin on endothelium + PSGL-1 on leukocyte; L-selectin; E-selectin)
- Adhesion - firm adhesion via integrins (LFA-1/MAC-1 on leukocytes + ICAM-1 on endothelium); upregulated by TNF, IL-1
- Transmigration (diapedesis) - migration through endothelial junctions (PECAM-1/CD31)
- Chemotaxis - directional migration to site of injury (see SN 2)
- Phagocytosis - killing of microbes (see SN 2)
Cardinal signs of inflammation (Celsus + Virchow):
- Rubor (redness), Calor (heat), Tumor (swelling), Dolor (pain), Functio laesa (loss of function)
Types of acute inflammation:
- Serous - thin watery fluid; skin blisters, peritoneal exudate
- Fibrinous - fibrin-rich exudate; pericarditis ("bread and butter"), pleuritis
- Suppurative (purulent) - neutrophilic exudate with pus; abscess (localised), empyema
- Ulcerative - necrosis of surface epithelium + acute inflammatory exudate
SN 8. Granulation Tissue; Delayed Wound Healing
Granulation Tissue:
- Gross: Pink-red, granular, soft; bleeds easily; fills wound from day 3-5
- Micro (key features):
- Proliferating capillary buds/loops (angiogenesis - VEGF, bFGF driven)
- Proliferating fibroblasts → collagen synthesis (TGF-β driven)
- Myofibroblasts (wound contraction - α-SMA positive)
- Loose ECM (hyaluronic acid, fibronectin early; collagen later)
- Inflammatory cells (macrophages, lymphocytes - scant)
- Edematous stroma
Causes of Delayed Wound Healing:
- Infection (most important)
- Foreign body
- Ischaemia/poor blood supply
- Diabetes mellitus
- Malnutrition (protein, vitamin C, zinc deficiency)
- Glucocorticoids
- Anaemia
- Uremia
- Old age
- Excessive wound tension/movement
- Radiation
SN 9. Wound Healing by Primary and Secondary Intention
Primary Intention (Primary Union):
- Clean surgical wound with apposed edges; minimal tissue loss
- Day 1-3: Clot fills incision; neutrophil influx; basal cells of epidermis migrate across wound within 24-48 hrs; thin layer of epidermis bridges wound
- Day 3-5: Granulation tissue appears; macrophages replace neutrophils; fibroblasts migrate + collagen deposition begins; neovascularization
- Week 1-2: Collagen bridges incision; inflammatory infiltrate recedes; adnexal structures regenerate
- Month+: Scar remodelling - type III collagen → type I collagen; tensile strength increases; 70-80% of original strength by 3 months; never 100%
Secondary Intention (Secondary Union):
- Large wound, infected wound, tissue loss; edges NOT apposed
- Key differences from primary intention:
- Larger amounts of granulation tissue (fills cavity)
- Wound contraction by myofibroblasts (up to 10% of original size) - important feature
- More extensive scar formation
- Slower, more fibrous repair
- Greater risk of keloid/hypertrophic scar
SN 10 & 11. Primary Tuberculosis Complex (Ghon's Complex)
Ghon Complex = Ghon focus + lymphangitis + hilar/mediastinal lymph node enlargement
Ghon Focus:
- Site: Subpleural, lower part of upper lobe or upper part of lower lobe (right > left)
- Gross: 1-2 cm grey-white focus of consolidation → central caseation
- Micro: Granuloma with central caseous necrosis, epithelioid macrophages, Langhans giant cells, lymphocytic cuff, peripheral fibroblasts
Evolution of Tubercle (Primary Complex):
- Exudative stage - non-specific pneumonic consolidation (neutrophils, macrophages)
- Productive stage (3-8 weeks post-sensitization) - epithelioid granuloma with Langhans cells
- Caseous stage - central caseous necrosis (from necrotic macrophages releasing enzymes)
- Healing - fibrosis → calcification → Ranke complex
Fate of Ghon Complex:
- Most common: Healing (fibrosis + calcification = Ranke complex) - immune-competent
- Liquefaction → cavity formation → bronchial spread
- Progressive primary TB (uncommon - young children, immunocompromised)
- Miliary TB (haematogenous dissemination)
- Lymph node disease > pulmonary focus in children
Neoplasia
SN 1. Precancerous Lesions
| Lesion | Site | Cancer Risk |
|---|
| Leukoplakia | Oral cavity, vulva | Squamous carcinoma |
| Erythroplakia | Oral cavity | Higher risk than leukoplakia |
| Barrett esophagus | Lower esophagus | Adenocarcinoma |
| Chronic atrophic gastritis / intestinal metaplasia | Stomach | Gastric adenocarcinoma |
| Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) | Cervix | Cervical squamous carcinoma |
| Villous adenoma | Large bowel | Colorectal carcinoma |
| Ulcerative colitis (long-standing) | Colon | Colorectal carcinoma |
| Cirrhosis | Liver | Hepatocellular carcinoma |
| Xeroderma pigmentosum | Skin | Melanoma, BCC, SCC |
| Paget's disease of bone | Bone | Osteosarcoma |
| Solar keratosis | Skin | SCC |
| Bowen's disease | Skin/mucosa | SCC |
SN 2. Tumour Markers - Role in Diagnosis
Definition: Tumour markers are substances (proteins, hormones, enzymes, antigens) produced by tumour cells or host in response to tumour; detectable in blood/urine/tissues.
Roles:
- Screening (limited - PSA for prostate)
- Diagnosis (AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma + yolk sac tumour)
- Staging and prognosis
- Monitoring response to treatment
- Detecting recurrence
| Marker | Tumour |
|---|
| PSA | Prostate carcinoma |
| AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) | Hepatocellular carcinoma, yolk sac tumour |
| CEA | Colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, breast |
| β-hCG | Choriocarcinoma, gestational trophoblastic disease, germ cell |
| CA-125 | Ovarian carcinoma |
| CA 19-9 | Pancreatic carcinoma |
| CA 15-3 | Breast carcinoma |
| Calcitonin | Medullary thyroid carcinoma |
| Thyroglobulin | Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (post-thyroidectomy) |
| S-100 | Melanoma, neural tumours |
| LDH | Testicular germ cell tumours (prognosis) |
SN 3. Anaplastic Tumour Cells - Morphology
Anaplasia = loss of structural and functional differentiation (hallmark of malignancy).
Features:
- Pleomorphism - variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei
- Nuclear changes:
- Hyperchromatism (dark-staining due to excess DNA)
- Increased nuclear-cytoplasmic (N:C) ratio (normally 1:4 to 1:6; in anaplasia may be 1:1)
- Prominent, enlarged nucleoli (irregular, multiple)
- Coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin
- Abnormal mitoses - tripolar, multipolar
- Loss of polarity - disorganized architecture, no recognizable glandular/squamous pattern
- Tumour giant cells - mono or multinucleated, bizarre shape
- Atypical mitoses
- Stromal changes - neoangiogenesis, desmoplasia
SN 4. Oncogenic Viruses - Enumerate with Cancer Caused
| Virus | Type | Cancer |
|---|
| HPV (16, 18) | DNA (Papovavirus) | Cervical carcinoma (SCC), oropharyngeal carcinoma, anal/vulval/penile carcinoma |
| EBV (HHV-4) | DNA (Herpesvirus) | Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma (mixed cellularity), NPC (nasopharyngeal carcinoma), AIDS-related CNS lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder |
| HBV | DNA (Hepadnavirus) | Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) |
| HCV | RNA (Flavivirus) | HCC, B-cell lymphoma |
| HTLV-1 | RNA (Retrovirus) | Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL) |
| HHV-8 (KSHV) | DNA (Herpesvirus) | Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma |
| Merkel Cell Polyomavirus | DNA (Polyomavirus) | Merkel cell carcinoma |
| H. pylori | (Bacterium, not virus) | Gastric MALToma, gastric adenocarcinoma |
SN 5. Laboratory Diagnosis of Cancer
- Histopathology (gold standard) - excision biopsy, incision biopsy, punch biopsy
- Cytology - FNAC, exfoliative cytology (Pap smear, sputum, CSF, urine)
- Frozen section - intraoperative diagnosis for surgical margins
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) - tumour markers, receptor status (ER/PR/HER2 in breast), lineage determination
- Flow cytometry - cell surface markers, DNA ploidy, in haematological malignancies
- Molecular/genetic tests - FISH, PCR, NGS - gene mutations (EGFR, KRAS, BRCA), translocations (BCR-ABL in CML), microsatellite instability
- Electron microscopy - rarely used; Birbeck granules (Langerhans), neurosecretory granules
- Tumour markers in blood - AFP, CEA, PSA etc. (see SN 2)
- Imaging - CT, MRI, PET for staging
SN 6. Paraneoplastic Syndromes - Examples
Definition: Signs and symptoms of tumour not due to local effects or metastasis, but due to ectopic hormone secretion, antibody production, or cytokines.
| Syndrome | Mechanism | Associated Tumour |
|---|
| Cushing syndrome | Ectopic ACTH | Small cell lung carcinoma, carcinoid |
| SIADH (hyponatraemia) | Ectopic ADH | Small cell lung carcinoma |
| Hypercalcaemia | PTHrP (most common) or bone mets or ectopic 1,25-OH vit D | Squamous cell lung CA, breast, renal, multiple myeloma |
| Polycythemia | Ectopic erythropoietin | Renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, cerebellar hemangioblastoma |
| Trousseau sign (migratory thrombophlebitis) | Mucin (hypercoagulability) | Pancreatic, GI carcinomas |
| Eaton-Lambert syndrome | Anti-VGCC antibodies (paraneoplastic) | Small cell lung carcinoma |
| Subacute cerebellar degeneration | Anti-Purkinje cell antibodies | Small cell lung, ovarian, breast |
| Acanthosis nigricans | Growth factors | Gastric, lung, GI carcinomas |
| DIC | Procoagulants from tumour | Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (M3), adenocarcinomas |
| Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy | Periosteal new bone formation | Lung carcinoma |
SN 7. Chemical Carcinogenesis - Process with Examples
Multistep process:
Step 1 - Initiation:
- Irreversible DNA mutation by carcinogen (or its reactive electrophilic metabolite)
- Carcinogen must be activated (procarcinogen → ultimate carcinogen) by cellular enzymes (CYP450)
- Initiated cell: Permanently mutated but not yet transformed; requires promotion to become cancer
- Examples: Alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide), polycyclic hydrocarbons (DMBA, benzo[a]pyrene), aromatic amines (β-naphthylamine), nitrosamines, aflatoxin B1
Step 2 - Promotion:
- Reversible; requires repeated/sustained exposure
- Promoter not mutagenic alone; stimulates proliferation of initiated cell
- Examples: Phorbol esters (TPA), saccharin, hormones (oestrogen in breast), bile salts (in colon)
- Promoters stimulate transcription, cell growth, and inhibit apoptosis
Step 3 - Progression:
- Additional mutations accumulate → malignant phenotype (invasion, metastasis)
- Genomic instability accelerates this phase
Major Chemical Carcinogens:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cigarette smoke, coal tar) → lung, skin
- Aromatic amines (aniline dyes, β-naphthylamine) → bladder cancer
- Aflatoxin B1 (Aspergillus flavus on grain) → HCC; causes G→T mutation in p53 codon 249
- Vinyl chloride → angiosarcoma of liver
- Asbestos → mesothelioma (chrysotile + amphiboles), bronchogenic carcinoma
- Nitrosamines (tobacco, preserved meats) → gastric/oesophageal
- Alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide) → leukaemia
Genetic and Paediatric Diseases
SN 1 & 2. Down Syndrome / Trisomy 21
- Most common chromosomal disorder (1:700 live births); risk increases with maternal age
- Karyotype: Trisomy 21 (94%), Robertsonian translocation (5%), Mosaicism (1%)
- Mechanism: Maternal non-disjunction during meiosis I (90%)
Clinical Features:
- Intellectual disability (IQ 25-50)
- Flat facies, epicanthal folds, oblique palpebral fissures
- Small ears, single palmar (simian) crease
- Protruding tongue (relative macroglossia), small mouth
- Hypotonia at birth
- Short stature, short neck
Associated Conditions:
- Congenital heart disease (40-50%) - AV canal defect (most characteristic), VSD, ASD
- Duodenal atresia ("double bubble")
- Hirschsprung disease
- Increased risk of ALL (10-20x), AML (especially M7)
- Alzheimer disease (nearly 100% after age 40)
- Hypothyroidism
- Atlantoaxial instability
SN 3. Klinefelter Syndrome
- Karyotype: 47,XXY (most common); also 48,XXXY, 46XY/47XXY mosaics
- Most common cause of male hypogonadism
- Mechanism: Non-disjunction - extra X chromosome (usually maternal in origin)
Features:
- Tall stature (long legs), eunuchoid body habitus
- Small testes (hyalinisation and fibrosis of seminiferous tubules) → azoospermia → infertility
- Gynaecomastia
- Sparse body/facial hair
- Low testosterone; elevated FSH, LH
- Mild intellectual disability (variable)
- Barr body (inactive X) present in somatic cells
Associations: Increased risk of breast cancer (20x), extragonadal germ cell tumours, SLE
HAEMATOLOGY
Introduction to Haematopoietic System and Disorders of Erythroid Series
SN 1 & 2. Megaloblastic Anaemia - Haematological Findings; Megaloblast
Cause: Deficiency of B12 (cobalamin) or folate → impaired DNA synthesis → delayed nuclear maturation with normal cytoplasmic maturation → megaloblastic change
Peripheral Blood Smear:
- Macro-ovalocytes (large oval RBCs) - most characteristic finding
- Hypersegmented neutrophils (>5 lobes in >5% = pathognomonic; or any cell with ≥6 lobes)
- Anisocytosis and poikilocytosis (marked)
- Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia (in severe cases)
- MCV > 100 fL (macrocytic anaemia)
Bone Marrow (megaloblastic change):
- Megaloblasts = enlarged erythroid precursors; abundant cytoplasm (normal haemoglobin maturation) but immature, open-lace (fine) chromatin nucleus = nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony
- Giant metamyelocytes and band forms
- Hypercellular marrow (ineffective erythropoiesis → cell death in marrow)
- Giant megakaryocytes
Megaloblast: An abnormal erythroid precursor (larger than normal, 14-20 µm), with finely stippled, immature chromatin in contrast to normal hemoglobinization of cytoplasm - diagnostic of B12/folate deficiency.
SN 3. Sickle Cell Anaemia - Etiopathogenesis, Lab Investigations, Peripheral Smear
Etiopathogenesis:
- Autosomal recessive; HbS = Hb with glutamate → valine substitution at position 6 of β-globin chain (GAG → GTG mutation)
- Homozygous (SS) = disease; Heterozygous (SA) = trait (usually asymptomatic)
- Under low O2 tension, HbS polymerizes → rigid, elongated, sickled RBCs
- Consequences: Haemolysis, vaso-occlusion
Pathogenesis of Sickling:
- Deoxygenation → HbS polymerizes → RBC sickles
- Sickled cells: rigid, block small vessels → vaso-occlusive crises → ischaemia/infarction
- Repeated sickling → membrane damage → irreversibly sickled cells → haemolytic anaemia (extravascular + intravascular)
- Protective factors (slow sickling): HbF (inhibits polymerization), low MCHC, short transit time
Clinical Features: Vaso-occlusive crises (bone pain, acute chest syndrome), haemolytic anaemia, aplastic crises, splenic sequestration, functional asplenia (autosplenectomy), chronic organ damage
Laboratory Investigations:
- Hb: Low (6-9 g/dL)
- PBS: Sickle cells, target cells, polychromasia, nucleated RBCs, Howell-Jolly bodies (functional asplenia)
- Sickling test: Sodium metabisulphite → positive
- Haemoglobin electrophoresis: HbS predominant band (no HbA); confirms diagnosis
- Solubility test (Sickledex)
- High reticulocyte count (haemolysis)
- Elevated bilirubin (unconjugated)
- High LDH
Peripheral Blood Smear Findings:
- Sickle cells (drepanocytes)
- Target cells (codocytes)
- Polychromasia
- Nucleated RBCs
- Howell-Jolly bodies
- Poikilocytosis, anisocytosis
LAQ 1. Megaloblastic Anaemia - Lab Investigations, PBS, Bone Marrow
(See SN 1 & 2 above - full detail)
LAQ 2. Anaemia - Definition, Classification; Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA)
Definition: Anaemia is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, usually due to a reduction in haemoglobin concentration below the lower limit of normal for age and sex:
- Adult men: < 13 g/dL
- Adult women: < 12 g/dL
- Pregnant women: < 11 g/dL
Morphological Classification of Anaemia:
| Type | MCV | MCH/MCHC | Causes |
|---|
| Microcytic hypochromic | <80 fL | Low | IDA (most common), thalassemia, sideroblastic anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease (sometimes) |
| Normocytic normochromic | 80-100 fL | Normal | Aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, blood loss (acute), ACD, renal failure |
| Macrocytic | >100 fL | Normal/High | Megaloblastic (B12/folate deficiency), non-megaloblastic (liver disease, hypothyroidism, drugs, MDS) |
Aetiological Classification:
- Blood loss (acute/chronic)
- Decreased production (IDA, megaloblastic, aplastic, ACD)
- Increased destruction (haemolytic - intrinsic/extrinsic)
Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) - Lab Diagnosis:
Causes: Chronic blood loss (most common - menorrhagia, GI bleed - peptic ulcer, hookworm), inadequate intake (infants, pregnancy), malabsorption (celiac disease, post-gastrectomy)
Stages:
- Pre-latent iron deficiency - depleted stores (↓ serum ferritin), Hb normal
- Latent iron deficiency - ↓ serum iron, ↑ TIBC; Hb still normal
- Iron deficiency anaemia - ↓ Hb, microcytic hypochromic anaemia
Laboratory Findings:
- PBS: Microcytosis (low MCV), hypochromia (low MCH/MCHC), anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, pencil (cigar) cells (elongated elliptocytes), target cells
- Serum ferritin: DECREASED (earliest marker of iron depletion; best single test)
- Serum iron: Decreased
- TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity): INCREASED
- Transferrin saturation: Decreased (<16%)
- Serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR): Increased
- Bone marrow: Absent iron stores (Perls' stain negative); normoblastic hyperplasia
- Reticulocytes: Low (decreased production)
- WBC/Platelets: Mild thrombocytosis may occur
LAQ 3. Haemolytic Anaemia - Lab Investigations
Haemolytic anaemia = shortened RBC survival (<120 days) + compensatory erythroid hyperplasia.
Lab Evidence of Haemolysis:
- ↑ Reticulocytes (reticulocytosis) - compensatory, most consistent finding
- ↑ Unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin → jaundice
- ↑ Urobilinogen in urine
- ↑ LDH (released from lysed RBCs)
- ↓ Haptoglobin (binds free Hb; consumed in intravascular haemolysis - most sensitive for intravascular)
- Haemoglobinaemia (pink plasma in intravascular)
- Haemoglobinuria (brown/red urine - intravascular)
- Haemosiderinuria (urine sediment positive for iron - chronic intravascular)
- Bone marrow: Erythroid hyperplasia (M:E ratio reversal)
Tests for Type:
- Coombs test (DAT): Positive in immune haemolytic anaemia
- PBS: Spherocytes (HS, AIHA), sickle cells, target cells, fragmented cells (schistocytes in microangiopathic HA)
- Osmotic fragility: Increased in hereditary spherocytosis
- Haemoglobin electrophoresis: Thalassemia, sickle cell
- G6PD assay
LAQ 4. Macrocytic Anaemia - Causes
-
Megaloblastic:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia, vegetarian diet, malabsorption, gastrectomy, fish tapeworm)
- Folate deficiency (malnutrition, pregnancy, malabsorption, drugs - methotrexate, phenytoin, alcohol)
- Combined B12 + folate deficiency
-
Non-megaloblastic macrocytic:
- Liver disease (altered lipid composition of RBC membrane → target cells, macro-ovalocytes)
- Hypothyroidism
- Alcoholism (direct toxic effect on marrow)
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Aplastic anaemia
- Reticulocytosis (reticulocytes are larger than mature RBCs)
- Drugs (hydroxyurea, zidovudine, azathioprine)
- Post-splenectomy
Disorders of Platelets, Bleeding Disorders and Basic Transfusion Medicine
SN 6. Haemophilia
Haemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency) - most common (1:5000 males); X-linked recessive; sporadic mutations (30%)
Haemophilia B (Christmas Disease - Factor IX deficiency) - X-linked recessive; clinically identical
Clinical Features (Haemophilia A):
- Spontaneous haemarthroses (joints - knee, elbow, ankle) → chronic arthropathy
- Muscle bleeds (haematomas)
- Severe: <1% factor activity; Moderate: 1-5%; Mild: >5%
- PTT prolonged; PT normal; Bleeding time normal; Platelet count normal
Lab: ↑ aPTT; normal PT; specific factor assay for diagnosis
SN 7. Prothrombin Time (PT) - Principle; Causes of Increased PT
Principle:
- Citrated plasma + tissue factor (thromboplastin) + calcium
- Measures extrinsic pathway (factor VII) + common pathway (factors X, V, II, fibrinogen)
- Normal PT = 11-14 seconds; expressed as INR = (Patient PT/Mean Normal PT)^ISI
Causes of Prolonged PT:
- Warfarin therapy (inhibits vitamin K-dependent factors II, VII, IX, X)
- Vitamin K deficiency (malabsorption, newborn - haemorrhagic disease of newborn, broad-spectrum antibiotics)
- Liver disease (decreased synthesis of clotting factors)
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) - consumption of factors
- Factor VII deficiency (specific)
- Factor X, V, II, fibrinogen deficiency
- Dysfibrinogenaemia
SN 8. Causes of Thrombocytopenia - Enumerate
Decreased production:
- Aplastic anaemia
- Bone marrow infiltration (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, metastatic carcinoma)
- Megaloblastic anaemia (B12/folate deficiency)
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Chemotherapy/radiation
Increased destruction:
- Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) - anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodies
- Drug-induced (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia - HIT, quinine, sulfonamides)
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) - ADAMTS13 deficiency
- Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) - Shiga toxin (E. coli O157:H7)
- DIC (consumption)
- Hypersplenism (sequestration)
- Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
- SLE, antiphospholipid syndrome
SN 9. Major Fractions of Blood; Blood Components
Major Fractions:
- Whole blood → Cellular components (RBC, WBC, Platelets) + Plasma
- Plasma → Coagulation factors (including Factor VIII, fibrinogen) + Albumin, Immunoglobulins
Four Blood Components:
- Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) - for anaemia, acute blood loss
- Platelet concentrate (PC) - thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction
- Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) - multiple factor deficiency, liver disease, DIC, reversal of warfarin
- Cryoprecipitate - haemophilia A (Factor VIII), vWD, fibrinogen deficiency, DIC
LAQ 2. Bleeding Disorders - Define, Classify, Screening Tests
Definition: Bleeding disorders are conditions characterized by abnormal tendency to bleed due to defects in haemostatic mechanisms.
Classification:
- Vascular (non-thrombocytopenic purpura) - vessel wall defects; Henoch-Schönlein purpura, hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), Ehlers-Danlos, senile purpura
- Platelet disorders:
- Thrombocytopenia (see SN 8)
- Qualitative platelet disorders - Bernard-Soulier syndrome (↓ GPIb), Glanzmann thrombasthenia (↓ GPIIb/IIIa), aspirin, uraemia
- Coagulation factor deficiencies:
- Inherited: Haemophilia A (VIII), B (IX), vWD
- Acquired: Liver disease, Vitamin K deficiency, DIC, anticoagulants
Screening Laboratory Tests:
| Test | Evaluates | Abnormal in |
|---|
| Platelet count | Thrombocytopenia | ITP, aplastic anaemia, DIC |
| Bleeding time (BT) | Platelet function + vascular | Thrombocytopenia, Bernard-Soulier, Glanzmann, vWD, aspirin |
| PT | Extrinsic + common pathway (VII, X, V, II, fibrinogen) | Warfarin, liver disease, vit K def., DIC |
| aPTT | Intrinsic + common pathway (XII, XI, IX, VIII, X, V, II, fibrinogen) | Haemophilia A/B, lupus anticoagulant, DIC |
| Thrombin time (TT) | Fibrinogen quality and quantity | Dysfibrinogenaemia, DIC, heparin |
| Fibrinogen assay | Fibrinogen level | DIC, severe liver disease |
| D-dimer | Fibrin degradation products | DIC, PE (screening) |
LAQ 3 & 4. Blood Transfusion Reactions
Classification:
-
Immediate haemolytic transfusion reaction (most dangerous):
- Cause: ABO incompatibility (clerical error - most common preventable cause)
- Mechanism: Pre-formed IgM → complement activation → intravascular haemolysis
- Symptoms: Fever, chills, back/flank pain, haemoglobinuria (red/brown urine), haemoglobinaemia, DIC, renal failure
- Management: STOP transfusion immediately, IV fluids, diuretics, treat DIC
-
Delayed haemolytic reaction (3-14 days post-transfusion):
- Anamnestic IgG response to Rh, Kidd, Duffy antigens
- Extravascular haemolysis; indirect Coombs positive
-
Febrile non-haemolytic reaction (most common reaction):
- Antibodies against donor HLA antigens on WBCs; cytokines in stored blood
- Fever, chills; managed with antipyretics; prevented with leukocyte-depleted blood
-
Allergic reaction:
- Urticaria, pruritus (mild) - IgE against plasma proteins; treat with antihistamine
- Anaphylaxis - IgA-deficient patients receiving blood with IgA; epinephrine
-
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI):
- Donor anti-HLA/anti-neutrophil antibodies activate recipient neutrophils in lungs
- Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema within 6 hours
- Leading cause of transfusion-related mortality
-
Transfusion-transmitted infections: HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV, bacterial contamination (platelets - higher risk), malaria, Chagas
-
Graft-vs-Host disease (GVHD) - immunocompromised recipients; prevented by irradiation of blood
-
Massive transfusion complications: Dilutional coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, hypothermia, hypocalcaemia, hyperkalaemia, citrate toxicity
Disorders of Leukocytes and Lymphoreticular Tissues
SN 1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) - PBS and Bone Marrow
Peripheral Blood Smear:
- Leucocytosis (variable; may be low/normal/high)
- Lymphoblasts (L1, L2, L3 - FAB classification)
- L1: Small, uniform blasts, scant cytoplasm, inconspicuous nucleoli (most common in childhood)
- L2: Large, heterogeneous blasts, irregular nuclei, prominent nucleoli (common in adults)
- L3: Large, uniform blasts, deeply basophilic cytoplasm with vacuoles (Burkitt type)
- Anaemia (normocytic normochromic)
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
Bone Marrow:
- Hypercellular; replaced by lymphoblasts (>20% for diagnosis; usually >90%)
- Few or no normal haematopoietic cells
- PAS stain: Coarse block positivity in blasts (characteristic of ALL)
- TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase): POSITIVE (key marker for ALL vs. AML)
- CD10 (CALLA), CD19, CD20 (B-ALL); CD3, CD7 (T-ALL)
SN 2. Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) - Peripheral Blood Picture, Clinical Features
Peripheral Blood:
- Leukocytosis - markedly elevated WBC (often >100 × 10^9/L)
- Complete spectrum of myeloid cells at various stages: blasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, band cells, segmented neutrophils - "myelocyte peak" (myelocytes most numerous)
- Basophilia (important clue) and eosinophilia
- Anaemia (normocytic normochromic)
- Thrombocytosis (often >450 × 10^9/L initially)
- NAP (Neutrophil Alkaline Phosphatase) score: LOW/ABSENT (distinguishes from leukaemoid reaction where NAP is high)
- Blasts: <5% in chronic phase
Molecular: BCR-ABL fusion gene (Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22)) - pathognomonic; detected by FISH/PCR
Clinical Features:
- Insidious onset; fatigue, weight loss, night sweats
- Massive splenomegaly (most prominent feature - can cause abdominal fullness, early satiety)
- Hepatomegaly
- Hyperuricaemia (high cell turnover)
- Blast crisis → acute leukaemia (myeloid or lymphoid)
SN 3. Acute Leukaemias - FAB Classification
AML (FAB M0-M7):
| FAB | Morphology | Special Feature |
|---|
| M0 | Minimally differentiated | No granules; MPO positive by EM only |
| M1 | Without maturation | >90% blasts; MPO positive |
| M2 | With maturation | Blasts + maturation; t(8;21); Auer rods |
| M3 | Acute promyelocytic (APL) | Hypergranular promyelocytes; Auer rods (faggot cells); t(15;17); DIC; ATRA treatment |
| M4 | Acute myelomonocytic | Myeloid + monocytic components; inv(16) |
| M4Eo | With eosinophilia | Inv(16) |
| M5 | Acute monocytic | Monocytes >80%; gum infiltration; skin involvement |
| M6 | Erythroleukaemia | >50% erythroids; dysplastic erythroid precursors |
| M7 | Acute megakaryoblastic | Down syndrome associated; platelet peroxidase on EM |
ALL (FAB L1-L3): (See SN 1 above)
SN 4. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) - FAB Classification, Peripheral Smear, Bone Marrow
(FAB classification in SN 3 above)
Peripheral Smear:
- Anaemia, thrombocytopenia (marrow failure)
- Leucocytosis with circulating blasts (>20% blasts diagnostic)
- Auer rods - needle-like azurophilic crystalline inclusions in blast cytoplasm; PATHOGNOMONIC of AML (especially M2, M3); positive for MPO
- MPO-positive blasts (myeloperoxidase)
- Sudan black B positive
Bone Marrow:
- Hypercellular; >20% myeloblasts (WHO criterion)
- Type I blasts (no granules) and Type II blasts (few granules, no Auer rod)
- MPO, Sudan black B, chloroacetate esterase (specific esterase) positive
- TdT usually NEGATIVE (differentiates from ALL)
- Non-specific esterase (NSE) positive in monocytic lineage (M4, M5)
LAQ 1. Leukaemia - Define, Classify; CML Findings; Acute Leukaemia FAB, Cytochemical Stains
(All covered in SN 1-4 above)
Definition: Leukaemia is a malignant clonal proliferation of haematopoietic cells, characterised by accumulation in the bone marrow, blood, and other organs.
Classification:
- Acute (blasts >20%): AML, ALL
- Chronic (mature cells predominate): CML, CLL
UNSPECIFIED TOPICS
SN 1. Criteria for Selection of Blood Donor
Donor Eligibility Criteria (National Blood Transfusion Council / standard criteria):
| Parameter | Criterion |
|---|
| Age | 18-65 years |
| Weight | ≥45 kg |
| Haemoglobin | ≥12.5 g/dL |
| Blood pressure | Systolic 100-180 mmHg; Diastolic 60-100 mmHg |
| Pulse | 60-100/min, regular |
| Temperature | Normal (≤37.5°C) |
| Interval since last donation | ≥3 months (12 weeks) |
| Volume donated | 350 or 450 mL |
Permanent deferral:
- HIV, HBsAg, HCV positive; HTLV; Chagas disease
- Haemophilia, coagulopathies
- Major cardiac, lung, liver, renal disease
- Malignancy
- Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, psychosis
Temporary deferral:
- Pregnancy (6 months post-delivery)
- Fever/infection (4 weeks)
- Tattoo/piercing (12 months)
- Surgery (6-12 months)
- Recent vaccination (2-4 weeks; rabies 1 year)
- Malaria (3 years after treatment)
SN 2. Coombs Test - Indications for Direct and Indirect
Direct Coombs Test (DAT) - Direct Antiglobulin Test:
- Detects antibody or complement ALREADY BOUND to patient's RBCs in vivo
- Procedure: Patient's washed RBCs + anti-human globulin (Coombs serum) → agglutination = positive
- Indications:
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) - warm AIHA (IgG) and cold AIHA (C3)
- Haemolytic disease of newborn (HDN) - maternal IgG on fetal RBCs
- Drug-induced haemolytic anaemia (methyldopa, penicillin)
- Haemolytic transfusion reaction
Indirect Coombs Test (IAT) - Indirect Antiglobulin Test:
- Detects antibody in patient's SERUM (free, not bound)
- Procedure: Patient's serum + normal donor RBCs → incubation → wash → anti-human globulin → agglutination
- Indications:
- Crossmatch before blood transfusion (pre-transfusion compatibility testing)
- Antibody screening in pregnancy (Rh incompatibility)
- Detection of irregular antibodies in donor serum
SN 3. Postmortem Changes in Body After Death
Immediate changes:
- Cessation of respiration, circulation, brain activity
Early changes (hours):
- Pallor mortis - pallor of skin immediately after death (blood drains from capillaries)
- Algor mortis - cooling of body; body cools ~0.5-1°C per hour (modified by environment, clothing, obesity); used to estimate time of death
- Livor mortis (post-mortem hypostasis) - purplish-red discolouration of dependent parts due to pooling of blood; begins 1-2 hours post-death; fixed by 6-12 hours; useful for determining position at death
- Rigor mortis - stiffening of muscles due to depletion of ATP → actin-myosin cross-bridges can't release; begins 2-6 hours → complete by 12 hours → resolves 24-48 hours; starts from jaw/neck → descends; Nysten's law
Late changes:
5. Putrefaction - bacterial decomposition; begins 24-48 hours; green discolouration (abdomen first); bloating from gas; "marbling" (green-black discolouration along vessels); smell
6. Adipocere formation - saponification of body fat in wet conditions; "grave wax"; preserves body shape
7. Mummification - desiccation in dry, hot conditions; parchment-like remains
SN 4. Investigation of Suspected Blood Transfusion Reaction
Immediate steps:
- STOP transfusion
- Keep IV line open with normal saline
- Notify blood bank and treating physician
Investigations:
-
Patient blood sample (post-reaction):
- Repeat ABO/Rh grouping
- Direct Coombs Test (DAT)
- Full blood count, smear (haemolysis?)
- Plasma for haemoglobinaemia (pink/red colour)
- Bilirubin, LDH, haptoglobin
- Coagulation studies (PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer - DIC?)
- Urine - haemoglobinuria, urobilinogen
-
Blood bag + all attached tubing and filter:
- Return to blood bank; re-check labels, cross-match records
- ABO/Rh group of donor bag
- Repeat cross-match
- Bacterial culture of bag (if septic reaction suspected)
-
If febrile reaction: Rule out haemolysis first; check for bacterial contamination
-
If anaphylaxis: Check serum IgA level
SN 5. Atherosclerosis - Etiopathogenesis
Definition: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries characterized by intimal plaques (atheromas) containing lipid deposits, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle, and fibrous connective tissue.
Risk Factors:
- Major modifiable: Hyperlipidaemia (LDL↑, HDL↓), hypertension, smoking, diabetes
- Non-modifiable: Age, male sex, family history
Pathogenesis (Response-to-Injury Theory):
- Endothelial dysfunction/injury: Causes - hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, turbulent flow, toxins
- LDL infiltration and oxidation: LDL enters intima → oxidized LDL (ox-LDL); ox-LDL is chemotactic and cytotoxic
- Monocyte adhesion and transmigration: Endothelial dysfunction → ↑ VCAM-1, ICAM-1, P-selectin → monocytes adhere → migrate into intima → become macrophages
- Foam cell formation: Macrophages take up ox-LDL via scavenger receptors → become foam cells (lipid-laden macrophages); foam cells accumulate → fatty streak (earliest lesion)
- SMC migration and proliferation: PDGF, FGF from activated macrophages/platelets → smooth muscle cells migrate from media to intima → proliferate → fibrous plaque
- Plaque progression: Fibrous cap (collagen + SMC) + lipid core (foam cells, cholesterol clefts, necrotic debris) + inflammatory cells (T cells, macrophages) + calcification
- Plaque complications: Ulceration, haemorrhage, thrombosis (upon plaque rupture - cap thin → vulnerable plaque), aneurysm
SN 6. Uterine Leiomyoma - Gross, Microscopic Features, Complications
Definition: Leiomyoma (fibroid) is the most common benign smooth muscle tumour of the uterus (most common tumour in women of reproductive age).
Gross:
- Well-circumscribed, firm, whorled white-grey tumour; pseudocapsule (compressed smooth muscle)
- May be single or multiple
- Sites: Intramural (most common), subserosal, submucosal, pedunculated, cervical
- Cut surface: White, whorled, trabeculated
Micro:
- Interlacing bundles of uniform, elongated smooth muscle cells
- Cells: Blunt-ended nuclei, eosinophilic fibrillar cytoplasm; no pleomorphism; rare mitoses (<5/10 HPF)
- Variable collagen content (fibrous stroma)
Secondary changes / Degeneration:
- Hyaline degeneration - most common (homogeneous pink areas)
- Cystic degeneration
- Myxomatous degeneration
- Red (carneous) degeneration - haemorrhagic infarction; painful; during pregnancy
- Calcification ("womb stone") - post-menopausal
- Malignant transformation to leiomyosarcoma - RARE (<0.5%)
Complications:
- Menorrhagia / menometrorrhagia → iron deficiency anaemia
- Subfertility / infertility
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Pressure effects: Urinary frequency (bladder), constipation (rectum), hydronephrosis
- Pain (torsion of pedunculated fibroid, red degeneration in pregnancy)
- Malignant transformation (rare)
- Polycythaemia (ectopic erythropoietin - very rare)
LAQ 1. Investigations in Blood Transfusion Reaction
(See SN 4 above for full answer)
All answers sourced from: Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology (9780323790185) and Robbins, Cotran & Kumar Pathologic Basis of Disease - the authoritative pathology textbooks equivalent to Harsh Mohan's content for examination purposes.