Toxocara sero-prevalence and its relationship with allergic asthma in asthmatic patients in north-eastern Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 677-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Khozime ◽  
M. Mirsadraee ◽  
H. Borji

AbstractToxocariasis is an important neglected tropical disease that has been suggested as a possible etiologic agent of asthma. The objective of the present study was to investigate possible significant association between Toxocara seroprevalence and asthma in a clinic-based case-control study. Blood samples were collected from human subjects aged 5–70 years, 50 of whom had signs of asthma and 50 of whom had no signs of asthma. Risk factors for asthma and Toxocara spp. infection were assessed by a questionnaire given to each patient. Blood samples were analysed to measure levels of anti-Toxocara spp. immunoglobulin G (IgG). Patients with bronchial asthma were observed to have higher Toxocara spp. seropositivity than that of the non-asthmatic controls (6 vs 2%, P = 0.47). The mean anti-Toxocara spp. antibody titre was not significantly higher in patients with bronchial asthma than in individuals without asthma (P = 0.395, 95% CI = 0.579–1.45). There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, social class, exposure to smoking and presence of domestic dog or cat at home between the two groups (P ≥ 0.05). The presence of anti-Toxocara spp. IgG was statistically associated with higher blood eosinophils, but it was not associated with asthma (P ≥ 0.05). The observed relationship between exposure to Toxocara spp. infection and bronchial asthma in Iranian patients warrants further evaluation. An understanding of any potential influence on the pathogenesis of human asthma provides a potential avenue for prevention.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Al-Azab ◽  
Mohammed Safi ◽  
Elina Idiiatullina ◽  
Mohammed Al Shaikh ◽  
Abdulbaki Al-Robasi ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough. Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma. Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yemen


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 119-124
Author(s):  
Hayder Abdul-Amir Makki Al-Hindy ◽  
Ali Jihad Hemid Al-Athari ◽  
Mazin J. Mousa ◽  
Safa Jihad Hameed ◽  
Suhad Hafidh Obeed

Background: Bronchial asthma (BrA), recognized lately as an umbrella, covers various subtypes rather than only one disease. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways, in which cytokines could play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Hence, labors to progress noninvasive markers for asthma had centered through this era. Presently, the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin levels are emerging analytical biomarkers in this field. FeNO is a noninvasive and practical tool even in mild asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of serum IL-1β and CRP together with fractional exhaled nitric oxide in the diagnosis of adult bronchial asthma. Method: The study was a case control, including 150-patients and 100-healthy controls. FeNO tests, measurements of plasma levels IL-1β and HS-CRP had undertaken for all the participants. The statistical data had examined by SPSS (V/27) for Windows. Descriptive data of the variables had compatibly used. A significance lower than or identical to 0.05 had intended. ROC curve examination of FeNO tests, IL-1β, and HS-CRP, to predict asthma from healthy control had applied. Results: there was a significant difference in the FeNo test, HS-CRP levels, and BMI, while no significant difference in all other variables between the groups. The FeNo results correlate positively, though not significantly, with the levels of IL-1β in asthmatic patients (> 0.05). There was a nonsignificant negative correlation between the FeNo results with the level of HSCRP. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the IL-1β to distinguish asthma were 68.6% and 58% at 95% CI [0.41-0.745], respectively, which was not significant (p>0.05). However, ROC analysis of HS-CRP revealed predictability for asthma patients (p-0.000), with higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity: 89.9%, and 68.1% at 95% CI [0.820-0.979], respectively. The FeNo tests revealed highly significant (0.000), high sensitivity, and specific (91% for both) with high 95% CI [0.938-1.000] predictability for asthma. Conclusion: The utility of circulating HS-CRP is more valuable than IL-1β when combined with fractional exhaled nitric oxide in the diagnosis of asthma. Novel biomarkers could improve the precision of this field.


Author(s):  
Tahereh Hajian ◽  
Maryam Razavi ◽  
Ali Dashipour

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of tranexamic acid and its side effects in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in patients referred to Ali ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan during 2020-2021. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups of 85 patients. Vital signs as well as drug side effects related to tranexamicity are monitored and recorded every15 minutes in the first hour and every 30 minutes in the second hour. Also, blood samples are taken from patients to measure hemoglobin and hematocrit within6 hours after delivery. The number and weight difference of droschitis used during 2 hours after delivery are also measured. In addition, PPH (Postpartum hemorrhage) cases in both groups were checked by repeated examination of the uterine fundus during the first 2 hours and after 6 weeks. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the number of deliveries and further decrease in hemoglobin levels in the control group compared to the intervention group. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness were observed in the intervention group and thrombosis was not observed in any group. According to the independent samples t-test, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean blood volume lost between the two groups. The mean hematocrit drop was statistically significant between the two groups. No blood transfusion was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Tranxamic acid injections can effectively reduce postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit following this complication.


Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Rajesh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Raj Kumar ◽  
Sonam Spalgais ◽  
Anil Kumar Mavi ◽  
...  

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with distinct phenotypes. Serum tIgE, SSIgE and SPT are the methods of evaluating allergen sensitization. The present study evaluates the exposure and sensitization to cockroach (Periplaneta americana) antigens in asthma patients in a metropolitan city of India. The study enrolled 200 consecutive bronchial asthma patients, diagnosed as per GINA guidelines. As per history of exposure to cockroaches, the patients are divided in two groups as exposed and non-exposed asthmatic. All the enrolled subjects underwent SPT against common aeroallergens including cockroach, spirometry and estimation of tIgE level and SSIgE against cockroach. Out of 200 asthma patients, a total of 114 (57%) asthmatic were found SPT positive against one of the common aeroallergens, of which 68 (34%) showed SPT sensitivity against cockroach. A total of 103 (51.5%) patients were found exposed to cockroaches. In the cockroach exposed group, the mean serum tIgE was found significantly higher than the non-exposed group (569.31±224.64 vs 479.29±237 IU/ml; p=0.007). The mean SSIgE against cockroach in exposed groups was found not significant than non-expose group (4.87±11.19 vs 4.11±8.39 KUA/L; p=0.589). The mean tIgE was also not significant in atopic compared to non-atopic asthmatic (553.25±218.12 IU/ml vs 489.1±251.16 IU/ml; p=0.056). The mean SSIgE against cockroach was 5.66±10.45 KUA/L for atopic and 2.96±8.98 KUA/L for non-atopic (p=0.054). The airway obstruction was almost the same in both groups.  Asthmatic patients who were exposed to cockroach and atopic had high tIgE, SSIgE levels and SPT positivity against cockroach antigen compared to non-exposed patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1346-1348
Author(s):  
Khairina Nasution ◽  
Kristina Nadeak ◽  
Syahril Rahmat Lubis

BACKGROUND: To establish the diagnosis of leprosy accurately, additional examination such as serologic examination with ELISA is required. There are considerations about taking a blood sample from the earlobe region.AIM: To determine the differences in IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe capillary and median cubital vein blood sample in leprosy patients.METHODS: An observational analytic study using a cross-sectional study involving 30 patients with leprosy. ELISA examination of earlobe blood samples with filter paper, and the median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper and conventional methods were performed to determine IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels.RESULTS: The mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe blood samples with filter paper (1476.62 μ/ml) was relatively similar with median cubital vein blood samples with conventional method (1476.77 μ/ml), but the mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper (1210.37 μ/ml) was lower from other methods. However, there was no statistically significant difference between them.CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences between the mean levels of IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody from earlobe and the median cubital vein blood samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oloruntoba A. Ekun ◽  
Isiaq T. Salau ◽  
Nora C. Madu

Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease that has been recognized as an important global public health disorder. It is a leading risk factor for stroke, heart failure, kidney diseases, and sudden death; as such its effective management may go a long way in preventing some of these possible complications. In humans, trace elements play key roles in normal metabolic activities that are required for healthy living. It has been hypothesized that trace elements are key to normal heart functions. Thus, deficiency in one or more trace elements may result(s) in or accentuate heart disease(s). This study, therefore, assessed trace elements in hypertensive and control volunteers. Methods: A total number of two hundred and fifty-six(256) participants comprising of one hundred and sixtynine (169) hypertensive and eighty-seven (87) normotensive control volunteers participated in this study. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected from all participants. The blood samples were collected into plain vacutainer and were allowed to clot. The samples were centrifuged and the serum from each sample was aspirated and analyzed for trace elements {Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe)} using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and calcium using Cobas C-111. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean age and weight of the participants. However, the mean body mass index (BMI), systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive volunteers were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the controls. The mean Cu and Fe were higher (p<0.05) in hypertensive volunteers whereas the mean Zn, Se, and calcium were not different (p>0.05) between the two groups that participated in this study. There were positive associations between body mass index, systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), and Cu whereas negative correlations existed between body mass index, Zn, and Se, among hypertensive volunteers. Conclusion: From this study, it appears that high blood pressure among Nigerian population is associated with elevated serum copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) trace elements. These may play a part in accentuation of hypertension in some of the volunteers if not properly monitored. Also hypertensive individuals also presented an increased body mass index (BMI) which could also complicate effective management of hypertension .


BioTechniques ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Samantha Damude ◽  
Anneke C Muller Kobold ◽  
Esther Bastiaannet ◽  
Schelto Kruijff ◽  
Harald J Hoekstra ◽  
...  

S-100B is used in melanoma follow-up. This serum biomarker is also present in adipocytes; therefore, subcutaneous adipocytes trapped in the needle before performing a venipuncture could contaminate the serum. The aim was to study the influence of adipocyte contamination on blood samples used for S-100B analysis, possibly resulting in falsely elevated S-100B values. A total of 294 serum samples were collected from 147 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging stage III melanoma patients. The mean difference between the first (dummy) and second tubes was 0.003 μg/l (p = 0.077), with a decrease in the second tube. Compared with the second tube, the S-100B level was higher in the first tube in 33.3% of the samples, equal in 36.8% of the samples and lower in 29.9% of the samples. No significant difference between the two consecutively drawn tubes was found. There seems to be no necessity of implementing a dummy tube system for accurate S-100B determination in melanoma patients.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atilla Alpay ◽  
Özlem Özcan ◽  
Sılay Cantürk Uğurbaş ◽  
Suat Hayri Uğurbaş N

Abstract Purpose To investigate the intravitreal and blood Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Materials and Methods Twenty eyes of 20 patients with DR with the decision of vitrectomy, and 20 eyes of 20 patients without diabetes as a control group were included in the study. During vitrectomy, vitreous and minimum 3ml peripheral blood samples were taken simultaneously. Serum and vitreous ADMA levels were compared between the two groups. Results The serum ADMA level was higher in the diabetic group compared to the non-diabetic group (p=0,009). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean vitreous ADMA levels. There was no correlation between serum and vitreous ADMA levels. Conclusion In patients with diabetic retinopathy, serum ADMA levels increased, but no increase in vitreous ADMA levels was detected.


Author(s):  
Naivah Harharah

Objective: To compare serum Anti Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels in infertile women with and without endometriosis, and to determine the mean levels of serum AMH in every stage of endometriosis. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study. Sixty-eight subjects who have undergone laparoscopy and fulfilled both inclusion and exclusion criteria are recruited consecutively. They are divided into two groups, namely group with endometriosis and without endometriosis. Blood samples are taken from each subject before laparoscopy, where serum AMH levels are then measured. The difference in mean levels of each group are tested with Mann-Whitney test. Result: The mean levels of serum AMH were significantly lower in the endometriosis group than those in the group without endometriosis (2.30 1.8 ng/ml vs 3.75 2.13 ng/ml; p=0.005). Using Kruskal-Wallis test, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference among endometriosis groups based on the severity of endometriosis. There was no significant difference in the mean serum AMH levels between the minimal-mild endometriosis group and without endometriosis group (p=0.34), but the mean levels of serum AMH were significantly lower in the moderate-severe endometriosis compare to the group without endometriosis (p


1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 664-675
Author(s):  
O. M. Badr El Din ◽  
I. H. El Sawy ◽  
O. E. El Azzouni ◽  
M. M. A. Badr El Din ◽  
A. M. Salem

To study the value of eosinophil cationic protein [ECP] as a serological marker of disease activity in childhood bronchial asthma, ECP levels were measured in 20 healthy control children and 25 asthmatic children, during and 2 weeks after acute exacerbation. The mean serum ECP level of all asthmatic patients, during and after exacerbation, was significantly higher than the control group and was significantly higher during attacks than 2 weeks after their termination. ECP levels were highest in severe attacks, but did not differ between mild and moderate attacks. ECP levels in asthmatic patients 2 weeks after mild and moderate attacks were comparable to normal; after severe attacks levels remained higher than normal. Measurement of serum ECP will be helpful in determining asthma activity and deciding the use of anti-asthma drugs


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