Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an uncommon and distinct type of chronic infective pyelonephritis causing destruction of the kidney, severely affecting the renal function. The perinephric adipose tissue and peritoneum is not uncommonly involved. The study was undertaken to decipher the clinicopathologic spectrum of XGP. Forty cases of XGP were diagnosed on histopathology over a period of 13 years (2005–2017). Relevant clinical details and radiological findings were recorded from the case files. Out of a total of 40 cases, 26 were female and 14 were male with a mean age of 39.5 ± 13.6 years. Flank pain was the most common presenting symptom. All the patients had unilateral disease and underwent nephrectomy for a nonfunctional kidney. Gross examination showed enlarged kidney with replacement of cortico-medullary tissue by yellow nodular areas of fatty tissue and dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system. Thirty-six (90%) cases had nephrolithiasis. Histologically, the characteristic feature was the existence of lipid-laden foamy macrophages. Renal parenchymal involvement was diffuse in majority (31, 77.5%). Two (5.0%) of the patients had coexisting carcinoma in the same kidney. Histopathologic examination gives the definitive diagnosis of XGP which relies on the characteristic morphology. Surgical intervention in the form of nephrectomy is the treatment of choice and offers good treatment outcomes.

Background: The management of musculoskeletal neoplasms requires an accurate diagnosis, histologic type, and degree of tumor differentiation. Aim: The present study was undertaken to compare the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumors and further to compare the results with histopathological examination of surgical specimens. Grading of malignant tumors was also compared on these techniques. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 50 patients with musculoskeletal neoplasms. Detailed history, clinical examination, and radiological investigations were undertaken. FNAC followed by CNB were performed in each case. The tumors were categorized as benign and malignant with a definitive histotype diagnosis. For malignant neoplasms, cytologic and histologic gradings were done into three grades. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC and CNB were compared. Results: Of the 50 cases with musculoskeletal neoplasms, 32 (64%) were bone tumors and 18 (36%) were soft tissue tumors. The sensitivity of FNAC and CNB for categorizing bone tumors into benign and malignant was 94.7%. For soft tissue tumors, FNAC had a sensitivity of 90.9% and CNB had a sensitivity of 100%. The specificity of both the techniques, FNA and CNB for bone and soft tissue tumors was 100%. For malignant bone tumors, cytologic grade was concordant with CNB grade in 72.2% of the cases. Cytologic grade was concordant with the grade on CNB in 81.8% cases for malignant soft tissue neoplasms. Conclusion: FNAC and CNB alleviate the need for an open biopsy in diagnosing and grading musculoskeletal neoplasms, thus facilitating appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Zoonotic diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and they comprise about 75% of all emerging infectious diseases. These can be transmitted via the direct (scratches on skin or animal bites) or indirect mode (through environmental shedding of infectious agent by the infected animal) of transmission. Environmental changes, whether in the form of urbanization, industrialization or destruction of wildlife habitats, lead to more human invasion in wildlife areas, subsequently leading to an increased passage of animals towards human dwellings and more exposure to animals, making humans susceptible to these infections. Climate change is another major factor. Global warming and the evolving thermotolerance of fungi, adapting more to human body temperature than their saprophytic nature, is leading to the emergence of humans as new hosts for fungi. The domestication of animals, rising populations, enhanced tourism, migratory populations, intrusions into wildlife, etc., are other known factors. Zoonotic fungal infections have long been neglected and are now gaining due attention. In this review, we briefly discuss the various aspects currently known for zoonotic fungal infections and bring forth the importance of this particular issue to be addressed in a timely manner.