Evaluation of Serum Ferritin Concentration in Mild and Severe Pre-Eclamptic Women.

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most important complications of pregnancy. About 16% of maternal death is associated with pre-eclampsia in Bangladesh. It is necessary to diagnose or to predict pre-eclampsia for minimizing maternal morbidity and mortality. This case control study was carried out in the department of Clinical Pathology, in collaboration with department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from March 2011 to February 2012 which included 20 mild pre-eclamptic and 20 severe pre-eclamptic patients and 30 gestation matched normotensive pregnant women within 28-40 weeks of gestation. Serum iron profile was measured and PBF was done to observe the association of higher concentration of serum ferritin, serum iron, percent saturation of total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin and lower level of total iron binding capacity, increased neutrophil count and decreased platelet count with pre-eclampsia. The mean serum ferritin concentration of mild pre-eclamptic group 99.91±7.84 ng/ml was 5 times and severe pre-eclamptic group 149.59±13.75 ng/ml was 8 times higher than that of control group 18.47±2.03 ng/ml. The mean serum iron level of mild pre-eclamptic group was (114.45±8.72 µg/dl) and in severe pre-eclamptic group was (174.35±13.59 µg/dl) and control group was (72.64±4.72 µg/dl) (p<0.05). The mean TIBC was higher and percent saturation was lower in control group than mild and severe pre-eclamptic group. The mean differences of iron parameters were statistically significant (p<0.05) among the three groups in ANOVA test. Both hemoglobin (gm/dl), total count of WBC and percentage of neutrophil were significantly higher (p<0.05) but platelet count was significantly lower in mild and severe pre-eclamptic group than normal control group. So higher concentration of serum ferritin, serum iron, percent saturation of total iron binding capacity and hemoglobin level increased and total iron binding capacity decreased in mild and severe pre-eclampsia than those of uncomplicated normal pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is one of the most important complications of pregnancy. About 16% of maternal death is associated with pre-eclampsia in Bangladesh. It is necessary to diagnose or to predict pre-eclampsia for minimizing maternal morbidity and mortality. This case control study was carried out in the department of Clinical Pathology, in collaboration with department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from March 2011 to February 2012 which included 20 mild pre-eclamptic and 20 severe pre-eclamptic patients and 30 gestation matched normotensive pregnant women within 28-40 weeks of gestation. Serum iron profile was measured and PBF was done to observe the association of higher concentration of serum ferritin, serum iron, percent saturation of total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin and lower level of total iron binding capacity, increased neutrophil count and decreased platelet count with pre-eclampsia. The mean serum ferritin concentration of mild pre-eclamptic group 99.91±7.84 ng/ml was 5 times and severe pre-eclamptic group 149.59±13.75 ng/ml was 8 times higher than that of control group 18.47±2.03 ng/ml. The mean serum iron level of mild pre-eclamptic group was (114.45±8.72 µg/dl) and in severe pre-eclamptic group was (174.35±13.59 µg/dl) and control group was (72.64±4.72 µg/dl) (p<0.05). The mean TIBC was higher and percent saturation was lower in control group than mild and severe pre-eclamptic group. The mean differences of iron parameters were statistically significant (p<0.05) among the three groups in ANOVA test. Both hemoglobin (gm/dl), total count of WBC and percentage of neutrophil were significantly higher (p<0.05) but platelet count was significantly lower in mild and severe pre-eclamptic group than normal control group. So higher concentration of serum ferritin, serum iron, percent saturation of total iron binding capacity and hemoglobin level increased and total iron binding capacity decreased in mild and severe pre-eclampsia than those of uncomplicated normal pregnancy.

Comparative Study of Adenosine Deaminase and Other Conventional Diagnostic Parameters in Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.

Though pulmonary tuberculosis is the common presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is also a growing problem worldwide. Tuberculous pleural effusion is the second frequent form of extra-pulmonary presentation after tuberculous lymphadenitis and if untreated up to 65% of patients with tubercular pleural effusions will eventually develop active TB. Traditional diagnostic methods are very useful for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB but have a low yield when applied to pleural fluid. So,the aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADA level in plural fluid and other conventional methods for diagnosis of tubercular plural effusion. This was a cross sectional study. This study was carried out in 64 Patients suffering from plural effusion and were consecutively selected and divided into two groups: tuberculous (n=40) and non tuberculous (n=24), depending upon etiology. Details clinical history, physical examination, routine and other relevant investigations including ADA estimation was measured. The mean value of ADA in the tuberculous group was 64.11 ± 19.50 U/L which was significantly higher (p<0.05). Cut off value of ADA was ≥ 40 U/L with 97% sensitivity and 93%specificity. In this study, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of ADA level in pleural effusion were more significant than other conventional parameters.

Comparison of Serum CA72-4 and CEA Levels in Patient with Endoscopically Suspected Gastric Carcinoma.

Several serum tumour markers have been described for gastric cancer. Preoperative level of tumor marker helps to predict the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. CA72-4 as a serum tumour marker for gastric cancer is evaluated, and compared its utility in this regard with that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Analysis of gastric carcinoma by serum levels of CEA and CA72-4 and their correlation with histopathology help the clinician to develop his management strategies for gastric carcinoma. A prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Clinical Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in collaboration with Department of Surgery BSMMU, DMCH, Delta Hospital Limited, Dhaka, during the period of October 2010 to September 2011. Serum CA72-4 and CEA were analyzed in 71 endoscopically suspected patients for gastric carcinoma. Among them 58 cases were diagnosed as malignant gastric disease and 13 cases were nonmalignant gastric disease. Sensitivity of CA 72-4 and CEA were 48.3% and 31% respectively and specificity were 92.3% and 76.9% respectively. In poorly differentiated carcinoma, positivity for CA72-4 and CEA were 55.6% and 36.1% respectively. Because of the high positivity of CA72-4 in poorly differentiated carcinoma, CA72-4 is reliable tumour marker in advanced cases. As the sensitivity of CA72-4 was more than that of CEA in diagnosis of gastric cancer, CA72-4 can be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests like endoscopy that would be more helpful for the patients.