Helicobacter pylori attachment-blocking antibodies protect against duodenal ulcer disease.

The majority of the world population carry the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Fortunately, most individuals experience only low-grade or no symptoms, but in many cases the chronic inflammatory infection develops into severe gastric disease, including duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Here we report on a protective mechanism where H. pylori attachment and accompanying chronic mucosal inflammation can be reduced by antibodies that are present in a vast majority of H. pylori carriers. These antibodies block binding of the H. pylori attachment protein BabA by mimicking BabA's binding to the ABO blood group glycans in the gastric mucosa. However, many individuals demonstrate low titers of BabA blocking antibodies, which is associated with an increased risk for duodenal ulceration, suggesting a role for these antibodies in preventing gastric disease.

Peculiarities of antibiotic-associated diarrhea development in children with acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the main cause of morbidity in most countries. The probability of complications and age determine antibiotics administration. Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is one of the side effects of antibiotics. The aim: The study of the prevalence rate of AAD and the characteristics of its development in children with ARI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study included 75 children aged from 1 to 12 y diagnosed with ARI, who were treated with age-specific doses of antibiotics. The influence of children's anamnesis, parents' health on the development of AAD was studied with odds ratio calculation (OR). RESULTS: Results: In general, AAD incidence was 52%. The highest frequency 59.3% was observed in children under 3 y. AAD most often developed in children treated with amoxicillin - 92%. The greatest dependence of AAD development was connected with breastfeeding less than 6 months - OR was 7.65, preterm birth - 2.9, functional GIT disorders in anamnesis - up to 3.14, allergy - 2.33. The risk of AAD development increased with the age of parents more than 35 y - 5.03, at the age of parents less than 18 and older than 35 y - 4.09, parents' allergies - 3.74 and parents smoking - 2.43. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The most important factors of AAD development on antibiotics therapy in children with ARI are breastfeeding less than 6 months, functional GIT disorders and allergic conditions in anamnesis. Suboptimal age and parents' health (GIT disorders, allergic conditions and unhealthy habits) also increase the risk of AAD development.

Trace Element Status (Iron, Zinc, Copper, Chromium, Cobalt, and Nickel) in Iron-Deficiency Anaemia of Children under 3 Years.

Aim. To determine trace element status and aetiologic factors for development of trace elements deficiencies in children with iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) aged 0 to 3 years. Contingent and Methods. 30 patients of the University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria-I group; 48 patients of the Sumy Regional Child's Clinical Hospital, Sumy, Ukraine-II group; 25 healthy controls were investigated. Serum concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, chromium, cobalt, and nickel were determined spectrophotometrically and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results. Because the obtained serum levels of zinc, copper, and chromium were near the lower reference limits, I group was divided into IA and IB. In IA group, serum concentrations were lower than the reference values for 47%, 57%, and 73% of patients, respectively. In IB group, these were within the reference values. In II group, results for zinc, cobalt, and nickel were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and results for copper were significantly higher in comparison to controls. Conclusion. Low serum concentrations of zinc, copper, cobalt, and nickel were mainly due to inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, and micronutrient interactions in both studied groups. Increased serum copper in II group was probably due to metabolic changes resulting from adaptations in IDA. Data can be used for developing a diagnostic algorithm for IDA.