Pancreatic autoantibodies, HLA DR and PTPN22 polymorphisms in first degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes and multiethnic background.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of pancreatic auto-antibodies (PAb) as well as its relationship with HLA DR B1 and PTPN22 polymorphisms in first degree relatives (FDR) of Brazilian patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and multiethnic background. METHODS: FDR of patients with T1D were interviewed and blood was sampled for PAb measurement, HLA DRB1 and PTPN22 genotyping. Genotyping was also performed in index cases. RESULTS: In FDR (n=78), 16.7% presented at least one PAb. These individuals had a higher prevalence of HLA DRB1* 03 than others (p=0.03), without differences in PTPN22 genotyping. While the genetic profile was similar in FDR with PAb and their index cases, those without PAb had a lower frequency of HLA DR B1 * 03 than their correspondent patients (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: In this multiethnic population, a significant proportion of FDR of T1D patients had PAb, which was associated with HLA DR B1 * 03 but not with the PTPN22 polymorphism.

Relationship between the prevalence of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies and duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Brazilian patients.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether the duration of disease has any influence on the prevalence of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) in Brazilian patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and variable disease duration. We evaluated 83 patients with T1D. All participants were interviewed and blood was obtained for GADA measurement by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RSR Limited, Cardiff, UK). Four groups of patients were established according to disease duration: A) 1-5 years of disease (N = 24), B) 6-10 years of disease (N = 19), C) 11-15 years of disease (N = 25), and D) >15 years of disease (N = 15). GADA prevalence and its titers were determined in each group. GADA was positive in 38 patients (45.8%) and its frequency did not differ between the groups. The prevalence was 11/24 (45.8%), 8/19 (42.1%), 13/25 (52%), and 6/15 (40%) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (P = 0.874). Mean GADA titer was 12.54 +/- 11.33 U/ml for the sample as a whole and 11.95 +/- 11.8, 12.85 +/- 12.07, 10.57 +/- 8.35, and 17.45 +/- 16.1 U/ml for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (P = 0.686). Sex, age at diagnosis or ethnic background had no significant effect on GADA (+) frequency. In conclusion, in this transversal study, duration of disease did not affect significantly the prevalence of GADA or its titers in patients with T1D after one year of diagnosis. This was the first study to report this finding in the Brazilian population.

Relationship between the prevalence of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies and duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Brazilian patients

The objective of the present study was to determine whether the duration of disease has any influence on the prevalence of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) in Brazilian patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and variable disease duration. We evaluated 83 patients with T1D. All participants were interviewed and blood was obtained for GADA measurement by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RSR Limited, Cardiff, UK). Four groups of patients were established according to disease duration: A) 1-5 years of disease (N = 24), B) 6-10 years of disease (N = 19), C) 11-15 years of disease (N = 25), and D) >15 years of disease (N = 15). GADA prevalence and its titers were determined in each group. GADA was positive in 38 patients (45.8 percent) and its frequency did not differ between the groups. The prevalence was 11/24 (45.8 percent), 8/19 (42.1 percent), 13/25 (52 percent), and 6/15 (40 percent) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (P = 0.874). Mean GADA titer was 12.54 ± 11.33 U/ml for the sample as a whole and 11.95 ± 11.8, 12.85 ± 12.07, 10.57 ± 8.35, and 17.45 ± 16.1 U/ml for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (P = 0.686). Sex, age at diagnosis or ethnic background had no significant effect on GADA (+) frequency. In conclusion, in this transversal study, duration of disease did not affect significantly the prevalence of GADA or its titers in patients with T1D after one year of diagnosis. This was the first study to report this finding in the Brazilian population.

Thyroglossal duct cyst causing airway obstruction in an adult.

Thyroglossal duct cysts, though not uncommon, rarely present with evidence of laryngeal compromise. The case presented is one of the very few cases with documented laryngeal invasion reported in the English language. Of clinical significance is the patient's presentation with laryngeal symptoms of choking and dysphonia in the presence of a small anterior cervical mass. While the thyroglossal duct cyst usually presents as an asymptomatic anterior neck mass, this case illustrates the importance of considering a thyroglossal duct cyst in any patient with airway compromise in the absence of a neck mass.

Retropharyngeal cellulitis: a manifestation of Kawasaki disease in children.

Kawasaki disease (KD) or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is an acute febrile illness with prominent vasculitic features. The cause is unknown and the disease is seen most commonly in young children. After its initial description in Japan, the disease was thought to be rare in the United States, but recognition has dramatically increased over the past decade. Common symptoms of the disease for which the otolaryngologist may be initially consulted include inflammation of the lips and oral cavity and acute cervical lymphadenopathy. We present a case of Kawasaki disease initially complicated by retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling. Similar reports are rare in the pediatric literature; however, no such reports appear in the otolaryngology literature.

Superficial carotid artery secondary to cervical teratoma.

Cervical teratomas are rare tumors, presenting as a mass in the neck at birth. Affected infants usually have respiratory compromise and dysphagia, secondary to tracheal and esophageal compression. Treatment consists of airway control, followed by surgical excision, which may be complicated by marked displacement of normal tissues. We present a case in which displacement of neck contents by mass effect resulted in a carotid artery course as close as 2mm from the skin surface. Radiographic and ultrasonographic documentation is included.

Transplantation of cryopreserved canine venous allografts.

Local vascular reconstructions frequently require the use of vein grafts to bridge arterial or venous defects. Most previous studies on the use of cryopreserved veins have used relatively large caliber vessels. There have been few studies on the effectiveness of cryopreserved micro- or small-venous allografts. Here, we tested two types of cryopreserved venous allografts: (1) 1.5- to 1.9-mm diameter microvenous grafts (MVG); and (2) 4- to 5-mm diameter small venous grafts (SVG). Cryopreserved MVG allografts were placed into saphenous arteries of six experimental dogs and SVG cryopreserved allografts were placed into femoral arteries of six experimental dogs for 3 to 6 weeks. Two fresh MVG autografts were also transplanted into experimental dogs as controls and autografts were transferred to the contralateral side in SVG dogs as controls. None of the six cryopreserved MVG grafts retained patency but three/six cryopreserved SVG allografts were patent at harvest. Histological examination of grfts revealed control autografts were undergoing arterialization with an intact intima. Experimental cryopreserved allografts showed extensive medial fibrosis, significant lymphocytic infiltrates, and sporadic areas of intact intima for both patent and nonpatent grafts.