Immunohistochemical analysis of Hodgkin's disease in Kampala, Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Histopathological examination remains crucial for diagnosis and classification of Hodgkin's disease (HD) but poses problems when characteristic features of HD are not present and hence the value of immunohistochemistry. Experience with immunohistochemistry in developing countries is limited due to cost.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the immunophenotypic and histologic types of Hodgkin's disease in Kampala, Uganda


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Makerere University Medical School, Department of Pathology.


METHODS
Two hundred formalin fixed, paraffin- embedded biopsies, which had been previously diagnosed as Hodgkin's disease in the Makerere University, Department of Pathology from 1980--2000, were re-assessed with haematoxylin and eosin. The sections were then subjected to immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies: leucocyte common antigen (CD45), antibodies to Reed-Sternberg cells (CD15, CD30) and to B cells (CD20).


RESULTS
Of the 200 biopsies, 171 (71.3%) were diagnosed as Hodgkin's disease using immunohistochemistry. The mean age of the 171 cases was 26.1(SD 16.2) years; mode 20.0; median 22.5 years. The 15-24 year age group was most affected (47.2%). There were more males (65.9%) than females and most were Baganda who are the main tribe in the central region of Uganda. Mixed cellularity (35.7 %) and lymphocyte depleted (24.6 %) HD were the commonest histological types. Classic HD (CD30, CD 15, CD20, CD45) was the most commonest (77.8%) immunophenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Classic Hodgkin's disease (CD30, CD 15, CD20 and CD45) is the most commonest immunophenotype in Kampala, Uganda, and mixed cellularity and Iymphocyte depleted are the main histologic subtypes.
Tumwine
L K
LK
Department of Pathology, Makerere Medical School, Kampala, Uganda.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005260:Female; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
D018951:Antigens, CD20; D004396:Coloring Agents; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin