Clinical features, biochemistry, and HLA-DRB1 status in youth-onset type 1 diabetes in Sudan.

OBJECTIVE: To further understand clinical and biochemical features, and HLA-DRB1 genotypes, in new cases of diabetes in Sudanese children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Demographic characteristics, clinical information, and biochemical parameters (blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 [GADA] and insulinoma-associated protein-2 [IA-2A], and HLA-DRB1) were assessed in 99 individuals <18 years, recently (<18 months) clinically diagnosed with T1D. HLA-DRB1 genotypes for 56 of these Arab individuals with T1D were compared to a mixed control group of 198 healthy Arab (75%) and African (25%) individuals without T1D. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 10.1 ± 4.3 years (range 0.7-17.6 years) with mode at 9-12 years. A female preponderance was observed. Fifty-two individuals (55.3%) presented in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Mean ± SD serum fasting C-peptide values were 0.22 ± 0.25 nmol/L (0.66±0.74 ng/ml). 31.3% were autoantibody negative, 53.4% were GADA positive, 27.2% were IA-2A positive, with 12.1% positive for both autoantibodies. Association analysis compared to 198 controls of similar ethnic origin revealed strong locus association with HLA-DRB1 (p < 2.4 × 10-14 ). Five HLA-DRB1 alleles exhibited significant T1D association: three alleles (DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:02, and DRB1*04:05) were positively associated, while three (DRB1*10:01, DRB1*15:02, and DRB1*15:03) were protective. DRB1*03:01 had the strongest association (odds ratio = 5.04, p = 1.7 × 10-10 ). CONCLUSIONS: Young Sudanese individuals with T1D generally have similar characteristics to reported European-origin T1D populations. However, they have higher rates of DKA and slightly lower autoantibody rates than reported European-origin populations, and a particularly strong association with HLA-DRB1*03:01.

Profile of Some Trace Elements in the Liver of Camels, Sheep, and Goats in the Sudan.

One hundred camels (Camelus dromedaries) and fifty sheep and goats being adult, male, and apparently healthy field animals were studied to provide data regarding the normal values of some hepatic trace elements. Liver samples were collected during postmortem examination, digested, and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, and Mn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the differences in mean liver concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Co between camels, sheep, and goats were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Hepatic Cu, Fe, and Co concentrations were higher in camels than in sheep and goats. All liver samples were adequate for Fe and Co, whereas only camel liver was adequate for Cu. In camels, hepatic Zn concentration was inadequately lower than that in sheep and goats. No difference in Mn concentration was detected between camels, sheep, and goats. All liver samples were inadequate compared to free-ranging herbivores. In camels, significant correlation (r (2) = -0.207, P value = 0.04) was detected between Zn and Co, whereas in sheep significant correlation (r (2) = -0.444, P value = 0.026) was detected between Zn and Mn. No significant correlation between trace elements was detected in goats.