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Measles-related appendicitis
So-Ya Paik1, Jung-Tak Oh, Yoon-Jung Choi
1Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Daejin Medical Center, Gyungee-do, Korea.
Abstract:
Owing to the characteristic Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells found in hyperplastic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, it has been emphasized that pathologists can make a diagnosis of measles from appendectomy specimens even in the prodromal stage before diagnostic rashes develop. However, to date, those reported cases of measles-related appendicitis have dealt with the histologic features of the prodromal stage and we found no reports in the English literature describing the histopathologic findings of appendicitis during the full-blown stage of measles. Here, we describe 2 cases of measles-related appendicitis that show contrasting histologic features according to stage, one discovered during the prodromal stage and the other occurring during the full-blown stage. This report describes heretofore unreported histopathologic findings of measles-related appendicitis observed during the full-blown stage of the infection and highlights histopathologic changes caused by replication of the virus in different compartments of the same organ during the course of infection.
Insights
Pathologists can diagnose measles from appendix tissue, even before rashes appear. This study details new histopathologic findings of measles appendicitis during the full-blown infection stage.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Measles diagnosis from appendectomy specimens is possible due to Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells in hyperplastic lymphoid tissue.
- Previous reports focused on prodromal stage appendicitis, with limited data on full-blown measles appendicitis histopathology.
Observation:
- Two cases of measles-related appendicitis are presented, exhibiting distinct histological features based on disease stage.
- One case was identified during the prodromal stage, while the other occurred during the full-blown stage of measles.
Findings:
- This report details previously undocumented histopathologic findings of measles appendicitis during the full-blown stage.
- The study highlights viral replication's impact on appendiceal histology across different infection phases.
Implications:
- Expanding diagnostic capabilities for measles, particularly in early or atypical presentations.
- Enhancing understanding of viral pathogenesis and organ-specific manifestations during measles infection.