Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor FokI polymorphism as risk factors for COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Given the sparse data on vitamin D status in pediatric COVID-19, we investigated whether vitamin D deficiency could be a risk factor for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. We also investigated whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism could be a genetic marker for COVID-19 susceptibility. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients diagnosed to have COVID-19 and 200 matched control children and adolescents were recruited. Patients were laboratory confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 positive by real-time RT-PCR. All participants were genotyped for VDR Fok1 polymorphism by RT-PCR. Vitamin D status was defined as sufficient for serum 25(OH) D at least 30 ng/mL, insufficient at 21-29 ng/mL, deficient at <20 ng/mL. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients (52%) had low vitamin D levels with 74 (41%) being deficient and 20 (11%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with 2.6-fold increased risk for COVID-19 (OR = 2.6; [95% CI 1.96-4.9]; P = 0.002. The FokI FF genotype was significantly more represented in patients compared to control group (OR = 4.05; [95% CI: 1.95-8.55]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency and VDR Fok I polymorphism may constitute independent risk factors for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. IMPACT: Vitamin D deficiency could be a modifiable risk factor for COVID-19 in children and adolescents because of its immune-modulatory action. To our knowledge, ours is the first such study to investigate the VDR Fok I polymorphism in Caucasian children and adolescents with COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency and the VDR Fok I polymorphism may constitute independent risk factors for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. Clinical trials should be urgently conducted to test for causality and to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 taking into account the VDR polymorphisms.

Association of interleukin-17A gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children and adolescents: a multi-centre study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T could be susceptibility markers for juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in Egyptian children and adolescents. METHODS: In this multi-centre study, we genotyped 320 patients diagnosed with JSLE and 320 matched control children for three IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T using TaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, IL-17A serum levels were assessed using ELISA. RESULTS: The IL-17 rs2275913 A/A genotype and A allele were more represented in JSLE patients compared to the control group (21% vs. 7%, odds ratio (OR) = 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78-5.5, p = 0.001, pBonf = 0.003 for the A/A genotype; 37% vs. 29%, OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.11-1.8, p = 0.003, pBonf = 0.009 for the A allele. No significant difference was found for IL-17 rs8193036 and rs3748067 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genotype distribution or allele frequencies (p>0.05). Patients carrying the IL-17 rs2275913 A/A genotype and A allele were more likely to develop LN (OR = 5.64, 95% CI 2.39-13.77, pBonf = 0.001 for the A/A genotype; OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.84-4.07, pBonf = 0.02 for the A allele). CONCLUSION: The IL-17 rs2275913 A allele and A/A genotype were associated with high IL-17 serum levels and may contribute to susceptibility to JSLE and the development of LN in Egyptian children and adolescents. However, no significant association was evident between the studied IL-17A SNPs and other clinical phenotypes, disease activity scores or laboratory profile of JSLE.

Reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonatal intensive care unit using "VAP prevention Bundle": a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious health care-associated infection, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. It also prolongs hospital stay and drives up hospital costs. Measures employed in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in developing countries are rarely reported. In this study we tried to assess the efficacy of our designed "VAP prevention bundle" in reducing VAP rate in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHOD: This prospective before-and-after study was conducted at university hospital NICU, all neonates who had mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 h were eligible. VAP rates were evaluated before (phase-I) and after (phase-II) full implementation of comprehensive preventive measures specifically designed by our infection control team. RESULTS: Of 143 mechanically ventilated neonates, 73 patients developed VAP (51%) throughout the study period (2500 mechanical ventilation days). The rate of VAP was significantly reduced from 67.8% (42/62) corresponding to 36.4 VAP episodes/1000 mechanical ventilation days (MV days) in phase-I to 38.2% (31/81) corresponding to 23 VAP/1000 MV days (RR 0.565, 95% confidence interval 0.408-0.782, p = 0.0006) after VAP prevention bundle implementation (phase-II). Parallel significant reduction in MV days/case were documented in post-intervention period (21.50 ± 7.6 days in phase-I versus 10.36 ± 5.2 days in phase-II, p = 0.000). There were a trend toward reduction in NICU length of stay (23.9 ± 10.3 versus 22.8 ± 9.6 days, p = 0.56) and overall mortality (25% versus 17.3%, p = 0.215) between the two phases but didn't reach statistical significance. The commonest micro-organisms isolated throughout the study were gram-negative bacteria (63/66, 95.5%) particularly Klebsilla pneumonia (55/66, 83.4%). CONCLUSION: Implementation of multifaceted infection control bundle resulted in reduction of VAP rate, length of stay in our NICU.

Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G Polymorphism and Susceptibility to SLE in Egyptian Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key molecule residing at the nexus between thrombosis and inflammatory processes. Recently, PAI-1 and its gene expression have emerged as a potential candidate for autoimmune disorders such as SLE. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism at position -675 could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents. METHODS: Three hundred fifty patients diagnosed with childhood-onset SLE and 350 well-matched healthy controls were included in this multi-center study. All subjects were genotyped for the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism at position -675 using PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Serum PAI-1 levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The PAI-1 (- 675) 4G/4G genotype was more represented in c-SLE patients, as compared to the control group (38% vs 23%; OR =2.7; [95% CI: 1.47-2.9]; P < 0.001). Patients carrying the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype or 4G allele were more likely to develop lupus nephritis (OR: 3.38; [95% CI: 1.9-5.9]; P <0.001, for the 4G/4G genotype and OR: 2.6; [95% CI: 1.85-3.67]; for the 4G allele; P < 0.01). The PAI-1 4G/4G genotype was associated with higher PAI-1 serum concentrations (mean; 86.6±22.7 ng/mL) as compared to those with a 4G/5G genotype (mean; 48.3±16.5 ng/mL) and the lowest for the 5G/5G genotype (mean; 34.7±11.4 ng/mL); P = 0.004. CONCLUSION: The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism may confer susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents. Moreover, the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele were associated with higher PAI-1 serum levels and higher disease activity scores.

Ficolin-1 gene (FCN1) -144 C/A polymorphism is associated with adverse outcome of severe pneumonia in the under-five Egyptian children: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the foremost cause of child death worldwide. M-ficolin is encoded by the FCN1 gene and represents a novel link between innate and adaptive immunity. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the FCN1 -144 C/A (rs10117466) polymorphism as a potential marker for pneumonia severity and adverse outcome namely complications or mortality in the under-five Egyptian children. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study that included 620 children hospitalized with World Health Organization-defined severe pneumonia and 620 matched healthy control children. Polymorphism rs10117466 of the FCN1 gene promoter was analyzed by PCR-SSP, while serum M-ficolin levels were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: The FCN1 A/A genotype and A allele at the -144 position were more frequently observed in patients compared to the control children (43.4% vs 27.6%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.62; [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.18-2.2]; for the A/A genotype) and (60.8% vs 52.5%; OR: 1.4; [95% CI: 1.19-1.65]; for the A allele); P < .01. The FCN1 -144 A/A homozygous patients had significantly higher serum M-ficolin concentrations (mean: 1844 ± 396 ng/mL) compared with those carrying the C/C or C/A genotype (mean: 857 ± 278 and 1073 ± 323 ng/mL, respectively; P = .002). FCN1 -144 A/A genotype was an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in children with severe pneumonia (adjusted OR = 4.85, [95% CI: 2.96-10.25]; P = .01). CONCLUSION: The FCN1 A/A genotype at the -144 position was associated with high M-ficolin serum levels and possibly contributes to enhanced inflammatory response resulting in the adverse outcome of pneumonia in the under-five Egyptian children.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with CAP: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is a potential candidate gene for CAP risk. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs4340) could be a genetic marker for CAP susceptibility in Egyptian children, and we also measured the serum ACE level to assess its relation to such polymorphism. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study included 300 patients with CAP, and 300 age, gender, and ethnicity matched healthy controls. The ACE I/D polymorphism (rs4340) at intron 16 was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), while the serum ACE levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared to the controls subjects, the frequencies of the ACE DD genotype and D allele were overrepresented in patients with CAP (OR = 3.05; [95%CI: 2.14-4.35] for the DD genotype; P < 0.001) and (OR: 1.8; [95%CI: 1.42-2.29]; for the D allele; P < 0.01, respectively). Patients with the DD genotype had significantly higher mean serum ACE levels (45.6 ± 11.4 U/L) compared to those with ID genotype (36.5 ± 8.3 U/L) and II genotype (21.6 ± 5.7 U/L); P < 0.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ACE I/D polymorphism (rs4340) may contribute to the genetic susceptibility of CAP in Egyptian children. The ACE D allele and DD genotype were associated with higher serum ACE levels among studied CAP patients.

MicroRNA-21 as a novel biomarker in diagnosis and response to therapy in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: The underlying molecular mechanisms leading to asthma remain largely unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs exert powerful effects on immunological function by tuning networks of target genes that orchestrate cell activity. However, the role of miRNAs, specifically microRNA-21 (miRNA- 21), in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation is not well defined. Our aim was to investigate the serum miRNA- 21 expression levels as potential biomarker in childhood asthma [with, without inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy, and steroid resistant (SR)]; and their possible contributions in disease status, its molecular target interleukin-12 (IL-12) p35, and response to therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 175 children; 95 were asthmatic patients subdivided into 3 groups [40 asthmatic children without ICS, 40 steroid sensitive (SS) asthma children and 15 steroid resistant (SR) asthma children] and 80 were healthy children as healthy controls. The miRNA-21 expressions levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in all children. Serum IL-12p35 and total IgE levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The expression levels of miRNA-21 were significantly higher in the asthmatic children than in control group (P<0.001); with significantly higher levels in asthmatic patients without ICS or in SR patients compared to SS children (P<0.001). On contrast, serum IL-12p35 levels were significantly decreased in asthmatic patients without ICS therapy or in SR asthma patients as compared to SS patients (P<0.001). Our data revealed that serum miRNA-21 expression levels was significant negatively correlated with serum IL-12p35 levels and FEV1, while it was positively correlated with both sputum and blood eosinophils. Importantly, serum miRNA-21 had a predictive value in differentiating SS from SR patients, with an AUC value of 0.99, specificity of 86.7%, sensitivity of 97.5% and P<0.001. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that serum miRNA-21 is stable and detectable in serum of asthmatic children, which could promise potential biomarker in diagnosis as well as in response to therapy of asthma.

Interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms in Egyptian children with febrile seizures: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Febrile seizures are the most common form of childhood seizures. Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 is the key acute-phase cytokine. To date, only a few studies concerned the association of interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms with febrile seizures.In this study, we aimed to investigate 3 cytokine single-nucleotide polymorphisms situated at positions -174 (G/C), -572 (G/C), and -597 (G/A) in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene for the first time in Egyptian children with febrile seizures. METHODS: This was a case-control study included 100 patients with febrile seizure, and matched with age, gender, ethnicity 100 healthy control subjects. Interleukin-6 -174 (G/C), -572 (G/C), and -597 (G/A) polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), while the serum IL6 levels were measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: Compared to the controls subjects, the frequency of the -174 GG and -597 GG IL6 genotypes were observed to be increased in children with febrile seizures (OR: 4.17; 95 % CI: 1.86-9.49; P <0.01 and OR: 1.96; 95 % CI: 1.06-3.63;P <0.05, respectively). We found a significant positive association between the -597 GG genotype and susceptibility to complex febrile seizures as did the G allele at the same position (OR: 4.2; 95 % CI: 1.4-13.3 for the GG genotype; P <0.01) and (OR: 2.89; 95 % CI: 1.1-7.7 for the G allele; P <0.05 respectively). Our data revealed no association between IL6- genotypes and serum IL6 levels in patients with febrile seizures (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our data brought a novel observation that the presence of a G allele or GG genotype at the -174 and the GG genotype at the -597 positions of the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene constitute risk factors for developing febrile seizures in Egyptian children. Moreover, we observed a significant positive association between the IL6 -597 GG genotype and susceptibility to complex febrile seizures as did the G allele at the same position. However, we found no association between IL6- genotypes and serum IL6 levels in patients with febrile seizures.

Serum and CSF adiponectin, leptin, and interleukin 6 levels as adipocytokines in Egyptian children with febrile seizures: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A febrile seizure (FS) is the most common convulsive disorder in children. Activation of cytokine network is involved in FS pathogenesis. Adiponectin, leptin and IL-6 are the major adipocytokines secreted by fat cells. To date, only a few studies concerned the association of adipocytokines with febrile seizures. In this study, we tried to investigate serum and CSF levels of adiponectin, leptin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6); as adipocytokines, for the first time in Egyptian children with febrile seizures. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study included one hundred patients with febrile seizure, and matched with age, gender, 100 children with febrile illness without seizures (febrile control, FC) and 100 healthy control group (HC). Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of adiponectin, leptin, and (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin was significantly higher in children with FS (16.8 ± 3.7 ug/ml) and the FC group (18.3 ± 4.3 ug/ml) compared to the HC group (9.5 ± 2.2 ug/ml); P < 0.05, respectively. Serum leptin was significantly lower in children with FS (0.9 ± 0.3 ng/ml) compared to both the FC group (4.7 ± 1.2 ng/ml) and the HC group (1.8 ± 0.4 ng/ml); P < 0.01, respectively. Children with FS had significantly higher serum IL-6 levels (43.7 ± 11.7 ng/ml) than the FC group (21.9 ± 4.5 ng/ml) and the HC group (6.5 ± 1.8 ng/ml); P < 0.01, respectively. Patients with simple febrile seizures (SFS) had serum and CSF adiponectin levels similar to those with complex febrile seizures (CFS); (P > 0.05). Serum and CSF leptin levels were significantly lower in patients with CFS compared to the SFS group (P < 0.05). Serum and CSF IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with CFS compared to the SFS group (P < 0.01). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the high serum IL-6 levels was the most significant risk factor associated with febrile seizures among studied children (OR: 6.2; 95 % CI: 3.58 -10.57; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data brought a novel observation that some adipocytokines like leptin and IL-6 could be, at least in part, an aetiopathogenetic factor in the manifestation of febrile seizures in susceptible Egyptian children. Moreover, we observed a significant association between high CSF IL-6 levels and susceptibility to complex febrile seizures as did the low CSF leptin levels.

Serum Hepcidin Levels in Childhood-Onset Ischemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study.

Recently, hepcidin, an antimicrobial-like peptide hormone, has evolved as the master regulator of iron homeostasis. Despite the growing evidence of iron imbalance in childhood-onset ischemic stroke, serum hepcidin level in those patients has not yet been researched. In this study, we aimed to estimate serum (hepcidin) level in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and to investigate whether subcutaneous enoxaparin sodium, which is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) derivative, could modulate serum hepcidin level in those patients. This was a case-control study included 60 (AIS) cases, and 100 healthy children with comparable age and gender as control group. For all subjects' serum hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]) levels were assessed by (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method). Iron parameters including (serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, and total iron binding capacity [TIBC]) were also measured. The patients were subdivided according to treatment with an LMWH derivative into 2 groups and serum hepcidin levels were assessed initially and 1 week after stroke onset for all cases. We found that AIS cases had higher serum iron, ferritin, and IL6 levels compared to the control group (all P < 0.01). Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in AIS cases (median, 36[15-73]ng/mL) compared to the control group (median, 24[10-41]ng/mL; P < 0.01). On the 1st day of AIS diagnosis, serum hepcidin levels were similar in both stroke subgroups (P > 0.05). However, on the 7th day of diagnosis serum hepcidin level decreased significantly in AIS cases treated with LMWH (group 1) (median, 36 vs 21 ng/mL; P < 0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, no significant change was observed in serum hepcidin level in AIS cases not treated with LMWH (group 2) (P > 0.05). Serum hepcidin showed significant positive correlations with serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and IL6 (r = 0.375, P < 0.05; r = 0.453, P < 0.05; r = 0.687, P < 0.01; r = 0.515, P < 0.01; respectively). Our data brought a novel observation of elevated serum hepcidin level in pediatric AIS patients and pointed out that treatment with LMWH could modulate hepcidin level in those patients.