Morphologic and morphometric evaluation of pancreatic islets in chronic Chagas' disease

Authors

  • João Carlos Saldanha Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology
  • Vitorino Modesto dos Santos Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology
  • Marlene Antônia dos Reis Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology
  • Daniel Ferreira da Cunha Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology
  • Vicente de Paula Antunes Teixeira Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812001000500001

Keywords:

Chagas' disease, Morphometry, Pancreatic islets, Pancreas

Abstract

PURPOSE: Hyperglycemia and abnormal glucose tolerance tests observed in some patients with chronic Chagas' disease suggest the possibility of morphological changes in pancreatic islets and/or denervation. The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology and morphometry of pancreatic islets in chronic Chagas' disease. METHODS: Morphologic and computerized morphometric studies were performed in fragments of the head, body, and tail regions of the pancreas obtained at necropsies of 8 normal controls and 17 patients with chronic Chagas' disease: 8 with the digestive form (Megas) and 9 with the congestive heart failure form. RESULTS: The Megas group had a larger (p < 0.05) pancreatic islet area in the tail of the pancreas (10649.3 ± 4408.8 µm²) than the normal control (9481.8 ± 3242.4 µm²) and congestive heart failure (9475.1 ± 2104.9 µm²) groups; likewise, the density of the pancreatic islets (PI) was greater (1.2 ± 0.7 vs. 0.9 ± 0.6 vs. 1.9 ± 1.0 PI/mm², respectively). In the tail region of the pancreas of patients with the Megas form, there was a significant and positive correlation (r = +0.73) between the area and density of pancreatic islets. Discrete fibrosis and leukocytic infiltrates were found in pancreatic ganglia and pancreatic islets of the patients with Chagas' disease. Trypanosoma cruzi nests were not observed in the examined sections. Individuals with the Megas form of Chagas' disease showed increased area and density of pancreatic islets in the tail of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: The observed morphometric and morphologic alterations are consistent with functional changes in the pancreas, including glycemia and insulin disturbances.

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Published

2001-10-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Morphologic and morphometric evaluation of pancreatic islets in chronic Chagas’ disease . (2001). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 56(5), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812001000500001