title: [Metaplasic Paneth cells in ulcerative colitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paneth cells are normally present in small intestine, but its appearance in other areas of the gastrointestinal tract is related to chronic inflammatory processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our study we retrospectively examined 29 patients with diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, from the files of Instituto de Histopatología de Rosario, and from the casuistry of two authors (O.B. and P.S.M.), during two years. Biopsies corresponded to rectal or sigmoid mucosa and were stained with H.E.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distal Paneth cells in rectum and/or sigmoid colon were found in 60% of patients. This finding was related to the time of evolution of the disease (median 7 years for patients with Paneth cells and 3 years for patients without Paneth cells). With more time of evolution, there were more number of affected crypts and more number of Paneth cells. Some of the patients with longer evolution had 2-5 crypts with Paneth cells (up to 11 Paneth cells). When the time of evolution of the disease was longer, we found an irregular distribution of Paneth cells, with migration from the depth of the crypt to highest crypt levels. There was a relationship between the number of Paneth cells and the degree of leukocyte infiltration of the mucosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a direct correlation of the presence of Paneth cells with the time of evolution of the disease and with the leukocyte infiltration of the mucosa.
authors.forename: Oscar Alfredo
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Bedini
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naves
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: San Miguel
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quispe
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guida
mesh_terms: D058739:Aberrant Crypt Foci / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000473:pathology*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors