Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin and Leukocyte Differential Count in Children with Febrile Urinary Tract Infection

Purpose: We aimed to study the association of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI).Methods: Medical records of 154 children aged 1 month to 13 years with febrile UTI who were hospitalized were retrospectively reviewed. Associations between pNGAL levels and blood leukocyte differential count at admission and after 48 hours of treatment were investigated in children with or without acute pyelonephritis (APN).Results: The APN group (n=82) showed higher pNGAL levels, neutrophil count, monocyte count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), compared to the non-APN group (n=72) (all P<0.05). After adjustment for age and sex, pNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil count and NLR in both groups (all P<0.05). Additionally, it was correlated with the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) only in the APN group (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, pNGAL was positively correlated with neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR in patients with APN while it was related with neutrophil count and NLR in those without APN (all P<0.05). Areas under the receiver operating curve of pNGAL, neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR for predicting APN were 0.804, 0.760, 0.730, and 0.636, respectively (all P<0.05). Only pNGAL was independently associated with the presence of APN in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (P<0.05).Conclusion: In children with febrile UTIs, pNGAL might be associated with leukocyte differential count and the presence of APN.

Blood cell morphology and leukocyte differential of Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) (Crocodylidae)

The objective of the study was to determine the morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes) and the leukocyte differential count (heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, azurophils) of captive Morelet’s crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) from Veracruz, Mexico. Peripheral blood from 80 apparently healthy farmed crocodiles (39 subadults [19 females, 20 males] and 41 adults [18 females, 23 males]) was examined for morphology through stained blood smears and manual count was used for the leukocyte differential. Blood was collected during the non-breeding (n = 42) and breeding (n = 38) seasons. Blood examination indicated similar morphological characteristics of blood cells in subadult and adult individuals and in females and males in both seasons. Erythrocytes were the largest blood cells and lymphocytes the smallest. The leukocyte differential count showed that lymphocytes were the most abundant leukocytes and basophils the least numerous. The percentages of some leukocytes showed difference by season (non-breeding and breeding) in subadult and adult males (p < 0.05) and by size (subadults and adults) in males and females but only in the non-breeding season (p < 0.05). The leukocytes that showed the greatest variation were lymphocytes, heterophils and eosinophils. The knowledge of blood cell morphology and the leukocyte differential count in healthy farmed Morelet’s crocodiles will allow the accurate diagnosis of some diseases of captive and wild individuals.

Preventive blood evaluation in obese dogs (Canis lupus familiares)

The objective of this study was to evaluate serum hematological and biochemical changes in obese young dogs clinically healthy. Twenty-six animals were selected, which were separated into two groups: thirteen with normal weight and thirteen with obesity. Exclusion criteria were used for the selection of groups, age between one and eight years, physical evaluation, blood count, and a questionnaire to investigate pre-existing pathologies (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, hepatic and/or renal insufficiency, congenital or acquired heart disease, locomotor problems, inflammatory and/or infectious diseases or physiological conditions such as pregnancy or lactation). 5-mL blood samples were collected from each patient by puncture of the cephalic vein in the morning after a feeding restriction of 10 hours. Hematocrit, total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte count, leukocyte differential count and serum albumin, total protein, globulins, ALT, ALP, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, glucose, and insulin were assessed. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the hematological assessments. Among the biochemical tests, there were significant differences in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and glucose (p ≤ 0.05).

Neutrophyl Lymphocyte Ratio in Tuberculosis Patients and Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients

Background: Delayed in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis will increase the risk of MDR TB. WHO recommends Xpert MTB/RIF as diagnostic tools to identify MDR TB. Availability of Xpert MTB/RIF is still limited, another diagnostic tool is needed. Neutrophyl lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was presumed to be able to identify the probability of MDR TB. The aim of this study is to evaluate the comparison of NLR in tuberculosis and MDR TB patients. Methods: This is an analytic descriptive study with case series approach in Adam Malik General Hospital Medan. This study held since January – December 2015 with number of sample as much as 100 bacteriological confirmed TB patients and 100 MDR TB patients. We performed leukocyte differential count from peripheral blood examination to obtain NLR Result: Mean NLR of TB patient 4.62±2.37 and MDR TB 3.28±1.44. There was significant difference of NLR between both groups using Mann-Whitney test (P=0.001). The cut off value by ROC analysis was 2.91 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy was 77%, 50%, 60.6%, 68.4% and 63.5% respectively. Conclusion: There was significant difference of NLR between bacteriological confirmed TB patients and MDR TB patients. Value of NLR

Efektivitas minuman kombinasi maltodekstrin dan vitamin C terhadap hitung jenis leukosit pada atlet sepak bola

Backgrounds: The immune system changing affects the fitness. Exercise induces the immune responses, oxidative stress and tissue damage that alters leukocyte counts. Maltodextrin supplies higher energy reserves, that can improve the immune system profiles. Vitamin C as an antioxidant against tissue damage.Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a maltodextrin and vitamin C combination drink on leukocyte differential count after exercise.Method: This study was quasi-experimental with the within-subject design. Subjects were 14 collegiate football players of the State University of Yogyakarta and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were selected with a purposive sampling. Subjects received a combination of 15% maltodextrin and 250 mg of vitamin C beverage, 300 mL. Subjects did wash out for 6 days, then received placebo beverage (300 mL plain water). Subjects drank 30 minutes before and 5 minutes after physical exercise. Exercise loads were yoyo intermittent test and run gradually until 80 HRmaks. Blood samples were taken immediately and 30 minutes after exercise.Results: In the administration of intervention beverage, immediately to 30 minutes after exercise neutrophils increased (p=0,006); lymphocytes decreased (p=0.015); monocytes decreased (p=0.000); and eosinophils decreased (p=0.613). In the administration of placebo beverage, immediately to 30 minutes after exercise, neutrophils increased (p=0.359); lymphocytes decreased (p=0.257); monocytes decreased (p=0.146); and eosinophils increased (p=0.549). Neutrophils (p=0.003) and monocyte (p=0.003) had significant difference between both administration drink at 30 minutes after exercise. Lymphocyte and monocyte significantly decrease (p<0.05) at intervention than placebo.Conclusion: Maltodextrin and vitamin C combination drink effect on the decreasing of lymphocyte and monocyte 30 minutes after exercise.