Study of Number of Germinal Centers of Vermiform Appendix in Bangladeshi People of Different Age and Sex.

Abstract

The vermiform appendix is a tubular, blind-ended secondary lymphoid organ located near the caecum, often referred to as the "tonsil of the abdomen" due to the abundance of lymphoid follicles in its histology. The presence of germinal centers, which are indicators of lymphatic tissue response to antigens and subsequent antibody production, helps assess the immune status of individuals. By counting these germinal centers, researchers can evaluate the immune status of the Bangladeshi population across different age and sex groups. This study was conducted at Mymensingh Medical College, approximately 120 km north of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Samples were randomly selected from the local population between 2016 and 2017, including 40 vermiform appendices from various age groups: Group A (up to 20 years), Group B (21-40 years), Group C (41-60 years) and Group D (over 60 years). After obtaining ethical approval, the germinal centers, identified by their lighter staining in the center of lymphoid follicles, were counted under a microscope (X4 objective, X10 eyepiece). The average number of germinal centers per age group was then calculated. The study found that the mean±SD number of germinal centers was 3.20±1.66, 2.40±0.66, 1.50±1.11 and 0.30±0.45 across the advancing age groups. The mean differences of number of germinal center between A&B, B&C were statistically non significant at p= or >0.05 level, difference between group C&D, A&C was statistically significant at p<0.05 level and differences between group B&D, A&D were statistically highly significant at p<0.001 level. Mean±SD number of germinal center of vermiform appendix in male was higher (3.60±1.02, 2.42±0.49, 1.50±1.26 and 0.33±0.47 in Group A, B, C and D respectively) than in female (2.80±1.17, 2.33±0.94, 1.30±0.87 and 0.25±0.43 in Group A, B, C and D respectively) but mean difference between sexes in the different groups was statistically non significant at p=or >0.05 level. Overall, the study observed a gradual decline in the number of germinal centers with increasing age.