Singh V. K, Bhattacharjee K, Jaiprakash P. Clinicopathological Study of Subcutaneous Heminthicnodules : Unusual Sites and Diagnostic Dilemmas. Biomed Pharmacol J 2021;14(2).

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Manuscript received on :21-10-2020
Manuscript accepted on :30-06-2021
Published online on: 08-07-2021

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Varun Kumar Singh¹ , Koushiki Bhattacharjee² and Padmapriya Jaiprakash²

Department of Pathology, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal campus, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India,

Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Corresponding Author E-mail: koushiki.bhattacharjee13@gmail.com

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/2206

Abstract

Introduction: Superficial palpable swellings with helmintic infection as an underlying  etiology is usually an accidental finding in the surgically excised specimens. Somatic nematodes and cestodes are the commonly implicated organisms, and the zoonotic nematodes show an emerging trend. The present study aims to reappraise the histopathological findings of helminthic etiology in superficial swellings which were clinically suspected to be of neoplastic/non neoplastic nature. Materials and methods: Thirty six cases of palpable superficial nodules with infective etiology over a period of five years were reviewed. 19/36 were of helminthic etiology were included in the present study. Pertinent demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the medical archives. Results: Amongst the 19 cases, 8 were males and 11 females. Chest wall (4/19), and eyelids (3/19) were the most common sites involved. The size ranged from 0.8-15 cm in greatest dimension. Presence of histiocytes (13/19), granulomas (11/19), eosinophils (10/19), and giant cells (9/19) were the most consistent histological findings. 14 cases had discernible parasite morphology with diagnosis of filarial worms (7/19), Dirofilaria (3/19), cysticercosis (4/19), and hydatid cyst (1/19). Four cases had dead and calcified parasites with no discernible morphology. Conclusion: Granulomatous inflammation and tissue eosinophilia are strong indicators of a parasitic etiology. Subcutaneous and intramuscular filariasis, cysticercosis and hydatid cyst are well documented etoiologies whereas Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonotic infection with worldwide case reports. Imaging techniques and fine needle aspiration can point towards the diagnosis; however in the absence of characteristic features, histopathology can be relied upon to diagnose a helminthicetiology.

Keywords

Cysticercosis; Dirofilaria; Filaria; Granulomas; Zoonoses

Introduction 

Superficial skin/ subcutaneous nodules can have varied neoplastic or non-neoplastic aetiologies. These usually include tumors, skin appendage lesions, tumor-like lesions, inflammatory and infective lesions¹. A helminthic infection as an underlying etiology is often an accidental finding in the surgically excised specimens of these swellings. Due to increased international travel, immigration, climate changes, and iatrogenic immunosuppression, uncommon infections like fungal, protozoan, helminthic and ectoparasites are now reported with increasing frequency². Somatic nematodes and cestodes are the commonly implicated amongst the helminthic agents, and the zoonotic nematodes show an emerging trend with increasing number of case reports inliterature³.

Wuchereriabancrofti, Brugiamalayi, and cysticercosis is responsible for most of the cases in India^4,5,6. Recently there has been an increase in subcutaneous nodules caused by Dirofilaria seen in various countries which was considered to be a zoonotic infection earlier⁷.

The present study aims to evaluate and highlight the aetiological agents and the tissue diagnostic features of superficial lesions of helminthic etiology.

Materials and Methods

This was a single institution, retrospective, observational study undertaken in the department of pathology of a tertiary care center over a period of five years (2012-2017). Thirty-six cases of surgically excised palpable superficial nodules unsuspecting a parasitic etiology were reviewed. Out of the 36, 19 cases diagnosed as having helminthic etiology were included in the study. Electronic archives and test requisition forms were used to collect pertinent  demographic and clinical data including the age, sex, clinical diagnosis, site and size of the lesions. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides of the cases were retrieved, and histopathological findings werereviewed.

Results 

Amongst the 19 cases included in the study, 8 were males, and 11 were females (Range 1-64) with a mean age of 36.36 years. Chest wall (4/19, 21%), and eyelids (3/19, 15.7%) were the most common sites involved. Forehead, neck, and thigh had 2 cases each (2/19, 10.5%), while axilla, abdominal wall, leg, inguinal region, breast, and back had 1 case each(1/19, 5.2%). The size ranged from 0.8 to 15 cm in the greatest dimension.

The clinical suspicion was neoplastic in 7/19 cases. Lymphadenitis was second most common in 4/19 patients followed by an epidermoid cyst in 3/19 patients, one each of sebaceous cyst, dermoid cyst, forehead cyst, cellulitis, and myositis. In none of the cases, an infective etiology was considered as a diagnostic possibility. The demographic details with clinical diagnosis are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1: Demographic and clinical details.

A characterisitic parasite morphology was seen in 15 cases (78.9%), while four cases showed dead or calcified parasites on extensive examination of the tissue. Amongst the other histopathological features, presence of histiocytes (13/19, 68.4%), granulomas (11/19, 57.8%), eosinophilia (10/19, 52.6%) were the top three histopathological findings. These findings were also consistently seen in the cases without a discernable parasite in the sections (Figure 1). Complete findings and the associated agents are summarised in Table 2.

Figure 1: Tissue reaction patterns showing foreign body granulomatous reaction (A, H&E, 100x), histiocytic infiltrates (B, H and E, 100x), eosinophila (C, H and E, 100x), and a calcified filarial worm with surrounding necrosis and chronic inflammation (D, H and E, 50x). Click here to view figure

Table 2: Histopathological findings and the associated organism.

The most common etiological agent seen in the histopathology specimens was filarial worms (7/19, 36.8%) followed by cysticercosis (4/19, 21%), dirofilaria (3/19, 15.7%) and echinococcus (1/19, 5%) (Figure 2). 4/19 cases (21.1%) did not have a discernible parasite morphology, but a calcified remnant which was suspicious of a parasitic etiology.

Figure 2: (A) Cross section of a filarial parasite with surrounding necrosis, and chronic inflammatory infiltrate (H&E, 100x). (B) Crosssection of dirofilaria with surrounding foreign bodt granulomatous reaction (H&E, 200x). (C) Cysticercus larval form in the muscle tissue,  the head shows protoscoleces (H&E, 100x). (D) Hydatid sand with fewfragments of the laminated wall and occasional scolies (H&E,100x). Click here to view figure

Discussion 

A variety of arthropods, protozoa, and helminths infect the skin and subcutaneous tissues and can be identified by pathologists in cytology and histology preparations. The specific organisms depend on patient’s exposure history. Arthropods are the most common parasite seen and include Sarcoptesscabei, Demodex species and Tunga penetrans. Helminths are less often seen, and include round worms (eg, Dirofilaria spp.), tapeworms (eg, Taenia solium, Spirometra spp.), and flukes (eg, Schistosomaspp.)^8,9,10.

Filariasis is usually caused by nematodes including Wucheriabancrofti, Brugia spp. And manifests primary as lymphedema of the extremities, genitalia, and breasts. The most common presentations of W. bancrofti infestation are elephantiasis, chronic lymphedema, epididymitis, funiculitis, and lymphadenitis. Subcutaneous swelling is an extremely uncommon presentation of bancroftian filariasis even in endemic areas¹¹. In contrast to W. bancrofti, Loa loa commonly presents as a subcutaneous nodule. The cycle starts when a female Chrysops takes microfilariae from the blood of an infected individual during a blood meal. Then the microfilariae mature toward infective larvae (L3), which become infective and can be transmitted to another human during the next blood meal. In humans, filarial worms will develop to adult stage and then can produce microfilariae, which can be transmitted to the next individual during another blood meal. The microfilariae have a diurnal periodicity, appearing in the peripheral blood in the day time, and reach their maximum at around midday (11:00 am to 1:00 pm)¹² The diagnosis of filariasis is by a demonstration of microfilaria in stained or unstained blood films, circulating filarial antigen detection and demonstration of organism in histopathological sections¹³. Other histological features seen with filarisis are foreign body giant cells, forming tubercle-like nodules. While intact microfilariae are not generally seen, there may be fragments of the parasite in the granulomata. The eosinophilic debris, in the form of Splendore-Hoeppli material can been seen surrounding the parasite¹⁴. The inflammatory reaction develops in nodular fashion around fragmented and necrotic worms. Epithelioid cells and foreign body giant cells appear subsequently. In the present study seven cases with filariasia was seen. Tissue histiocytic infiltrate (6/7 cases), granulomas (4/7 cases), andeosinophilia (4/7 cases) were the most consistent findings. Amongst the four cases with calcified worms, tissue eosinophila (4/4 cases), histiocytes, granulunomas and foreign body giant cells (3/7 cases each) were the most consistent features, pointing to the fact that in the presence of such features an effort should be made to locate an etiology by taking more tissuesections.

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a rare helminthic infection caused by filarial worms of  the genus Dirofilaria, which is the natural parasites of dogs, cats, foxes, and wild mammals. Dirofilaria species belongs to the filarial nematodes, causes zoonotic infections in man, occasionally. Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is caused mainly by Dirofilaria repens, which causes subcutaneous nodules in and around the eye¹⁵. Human dirofilariasis due to D. repens has increasingly been recognized in India with most cases presenting with ocular menifestations¹⁵. Dirofilaria usually presents as subcutaneous nodule, either tender or nontender; occasionally migratory; and may be associated with an abscess. It is commonly found on the eyelids, scrotum, breasts, arms, and legs¹⁶. Mode of transmission of dirofilaria is through bite of an infected mosquito of the Culex and Anopheles species. Histologic examination for species identification can be made by analysis of the length and morphology of the parasite; patients do not typically exhibit eosinophilia¹⁶. Dirofilariais characterized by a relatively large size, thick cuticle, and prominent musculature with muscle cells extending far into body cavity¹⁷. Different Dirofilaria species can be distinguished by their size, thickness of cuticle, and presence or absence of longitudinal ridges¹⁷. The presence of thick laminated cuticles,large muscle cells, and wide lateral chords is diagnostic for this parasite. Histopathological sections usually show cross section of the prarasite with surrounding granulomatous tissue reaction with an intense inflammatory cell infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells along with foreign body giant cells¹⁸. Despite Dirofilaria being a filarial nematode, the present study describes the cases saperate from those of filariasis as it is an emerging zoonotic parasitic infection and not very well documented in the literature. The present study describes three cases of subcutaneous dirofilariaisis affecting the eyelids. The most consistent tissue reactions were granulomas (3/3 cases), histiocytic infiltration, giant cells, and acute inflammatory infiltrate (2/3 cases each). Scanty tissue eosinophils were seen in onecase.

Human cysticercosis is a potentially deadly infestation and is the consequence of ingestion of eggs of Taenia solium. Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system, muscle and subcutaneous tissue. About 54% of the patients present with subcutaneous nodules¹⁹. Clinical features of cysticerosis shows numerous small papules and nodules, cysts in subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscles, or mucous membranes, urticaria from leaking cyst fluid¹⁹. Histological examination usually shows preserved parasitic morphology with calcospherules. The host tissue reaction ranges from epitheloid to histocytic to lymphocytic proliferation with or without a capsule. The parasite appears in the well formed cyst as usually distorted and often mummified. But the hooklets were relatively preserved up to the late stage²⁰. The present study describes tissue cysticercosis in chest wall in 2 patients and 1 each of abdominal wall and right thigh lesion. The histological findings include inflammation with eosinophilia(2/4 cases), histiocytic granulomas with gaint cells(2/4 cases), necrosis(1/4 cases) and dicernable worms in the microscopic examination(3/4 cases).

Hydatid cyst disease is an endemic parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcusgranulosus and it is an important public health problem in the Mediterranean countries, Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia^21,22. It most commonly affects the liver (60–70%) while lungs are the second most common site (5–27%)²¹. If parasite passes liver and lungs, it may locate in any organ. Primary subcutaneous hydatid disease means that there is not any primary focus of hydatidosis. The main symptom of subcutaneous hydatosis was mobile painless, slow growing mass and only 30% of the patients complained with pain. Kayaalp C etal²² reported the incidence of subcutaneous hydatid disease as 1.5% among all cases of hydatid disease in endemic areas. Serology is a useful tool particularly for the differential diagnosis of hydatid liver cysts, however, it is usually negative (79%) for subcutaneous hydatid cysts.Microscopically,hydatidcysthas3layers.Innermost(germinallayer)is10-25

microns, contains nuclei, gives rise to brood capsules attached by short stalk in infectious (fertile) cysts, often with daughter cysts. Alsoprotoscolices (attached or separated) with double row of refractile, birefringent, acid fast hooklets 22 – 40 microns and 4 round suckers that comprise “hydatid sand”. Daughter cysts may merge and provide internal septation. The second layer is a laminated membrane beneath germinal layer, which is 1 mm thick, avascular, eosinophilic, refractile and chitinous; strongly positive for Periodic acid Schiff, and Gomori’smethanamine silver. Outer layer is dense fibrovascular tissue with chronic inflammatory cells, variable calcification develops after over a long period of time if the disease goes unnoticed²³. The present study described a case of subcutaneous hydatidosis involving the right calf muscles, the tissue reaction showed a pericytic histiocytic infiltrate along with chronic inflammation, the debris on processing showed laminated memebranes, germinal layer and occasionalprotoscoleces.

Fine Needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, reliable, rapid and cheap method of evaluating swellings. It is well tolerated by patients and usually done as an outpatient procedure. In cases of suspected malignancy, FNAC is a good choice as it prevents spread and in cystic swellings can be therapeutic²⁴. FNAC is currently being used for diagnosis of parasitic infections²⁴. Utility of FNAC in parasitic infections such as cysticerosis, filariasis and hydatid cyst disease has been well documented, but isnotwithour pitfalls²⁵. The cytological specimen  is then evaluated and smears are made of the aspirate for further evaluation. Parasitic infections are usually confirmed when there are demonstrable organisms in the smear along with other features of infections. Lymphocytic infiltration, particularly eosinophilic, along with giant cells, fibrous tissue are usually made out in the stained smears.²⁶ In cases where there are no discernible organisms or parts thereof, biopsy with histopathological examination may reveal the diagnosis. Histopathological analysis helps in understanding the interactions between the host and the parasite and aids in the diagnosis where cytopathology does not reveal a conclusive diagnosis²⁷. In some cases like hydatid cyst disease, it is better to an excision then risk spillage of the hydatid fluid which can causereactions⁹.

Parasitic infections are on an increase in the recent years. Many factors or combinations of factors contributing to disease emergence include ecological changes, such as those due to human activities or to anomalies in climate; travel and immigration, technology and industry; microbial adaptation and change and breakdown of public health measures. The emerging infectious diseases are also attributed to the population growth, ageing population, poverty and malnutrition, environmental pollution, deforestation, crowding, inadequate infrastructure, poor

sanitation and water supply, global warming, development of antimicrobial/insecticide resistance etc. In addition to this the immunocompromised patients, including patients with AIDS, solid organ transplant recipients, and patients on immunosuppressive therapy for disorders, are at high risk for opportunistic parasites²⁷.

Conclusion 

Histopathological features like granulomatous inflammation and tissue eosinophilia are strong indicators of a parasitic aetiology. Subcutaneous and intramuscular filariasis, cysticercosis and hydatid cyst are well documented in literature whereas Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonotic infection in the Indian subcontinent. Imaging techniques and fine needle aspiration can point towards the diagnosis with precision; however in the absence of characteristic features, histopathology can be relied upon to diagnose a helminthic aetiology.

Acknowledgement

The Authors acknowledge the role of the Department of Pathology, KMC Manipal and the support provided by the staff.

Conflict of Interest 

There has been no conflict of interest in the present study.

Funding Source 

There has been so funding source for this study.

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