Transfusion of blood components in pediatric age groups: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline adapted for the use in Egypt using 'Adapted ADAPTE'.

Pediatric transfusion is a complex area of medicine covering a wide age range, from neonates to young adults. Compared to adult practice, there is a relative lack of high-quality research to inform evidence-based guidelines. We aimed to adapt the pre-existing high-quality practice guidelines for the transfusion of blood components in different pediatric age groups to be available for national use by general practitioners, pediatricians, and other health care professionals. The guideline panel included 17 key leaders from different Egyptian institutions. The panel used the Adapted ADAPTE methodology. The panel prioritized the health questions and recommendations according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The procedure included searching for existing guidelines, quality appraisal, and adaptation of the recommendations to the target context of use. The guideline covered all important aspects of the indications, dosing, and administration of packed red cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. It also included transfusion in special situations, e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia and aplastic anemia, management of massive blood loss, malignancies, surgery, recommendations for safe transfusion practices, and recommendations for modifications of cellular blood components. The final version of the adapted clinical practice guideline (CPG) has been made after a thorough review by an external review panel and was guided by their official recommendations and modifications. A set of implementation tools included algorithms, tables, and flow charts to aid decision-making in practice. This adapted guideline serves as a tool for safe transfusion practices in different pediatric age groups.

Role of interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 6 (IL6) in the pathogenesis and prognosis of childhood primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the breakdown of immune tolerance. Impairment of the cellular immunity is primarily evaluated by the levels of the cytokines which can help in predicting the course of ITP. We aimed to assess the levels of IL4 and IL6 in children with ITP and evaluate their role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of this disease. A prospective cohort study was carried on 60 children (15 patients with newly diagnosed ITP, 15 patients with persistent ITP, 15 patients with chronic ITP and 15 healthy children as a control group). Serum IL-4 and serum IL-6 were measured using Human IL-4 and IL-6 ELISA kit in patients and controls. Patients with newly diagnosed and persistent ITP had significantly higher levels of IL4 and IL6 compared to patients with chronic ITP and healthy controls (p < 0.001). The mean serum level of IL4 was 762.0, 741.0, 364.6 and 436.8 pg/ml, and the mean serum level of IL6 was 178.5, 164.4, 57.9 and 88.4 pg/ml for patients with newly diagnosed, persistent, chronic ITP and healthy controls respectively. Serum IL-4 was significantly higher in patients who achieved remission than those who did not improve on first line therapy. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-4 and IL-6 may have a role in the pathogenesis of primary ITP. IL-4 seems to be a good predictor to treatment response. WHAT IS KNOWN: • There is a delicate balance of specific cytokine levels in immune thrombocytopenia, which has an important role in the immune system and is known to be deregulated in autoimmune diseases. changes in IL-4 and IL-6 might be involved in the pathogenesis of newly diagnosed ITP in both paediatric and adult patients. • We conducted this research study to measure the serum level of IL-4 and IL-6, in newly diagnosed, persistent and chronic ITP patients and study their relation to disease pathogenesis as well as patient's outcome. WHAT IS NEW: • We found that IL4 seems to be a good predictor to treatment response and it was a very interesting observation in our study, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no published data about this finding.

Contribution of T helper 17 cells and interleukin-17 to the pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia in Egyptian children.

Though pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is still rendered unclear, yet there are many research efforts that have been directed to the role of T helper 17 (Th17) and interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the pathogenesis of this disease. The Th17 cell, which produces IL-17, is a subset of T helper cells. Interleukin 17 is pro-inflammatory cytokine that is recently proved to have a crucial role in the emergence of autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the role of T helper17 cells and interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children. This study was carried out on 100 children with ITP and 100 apparently healthy children as a control group. Patients were subjected to full medical history taking, thorough physical examination and routine investigations according to our local standards. Percentage of Th17 cells was measured by flow cytometry in study groups. Also, serum IL-17 was measured in in study groups by ELISA. Th 17 cells were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Moreover, 3.1-fold increased serum levels of IL-17 were observed in patients with ITP compared to controls. Newly diagnosed patients had significantly higher percentage of Th-17cells as well as higher IL-17 levels than patients with either persistent or chronic ITP.   Conclusion: We concluded that Th 17 cells and IL-17 seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children. What is Known -- What is New: • The pathogenesis of ITP is heterogeneous A novel subset of CD4+ T cells, distinct from Th1 and Th2, was recently identified. It is characterized by the production of IL-17 and, therefore, designated as Th17 cells. Several studies support a pivotal role for serum cytokines in the pathogenesis of ITP and provide evidence to suggest that helper Tlymphocytes polarize into Th1 and Th2 immune response. we aimed to investigate the role of T helper17 cells and interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of ITP in Egyptian children.

Subclinical nephrotoxicity in patients with beta-thalassemia: role of urinary kidney injury molecule.

We aimed to investigate the role of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in detection of subclinical nephrotoxicity in patients with Beta-thalassemia (ß-TM) in relation to chelation therapy and to correlate the urinary KIM-1 level with other clinical and laboratory findings. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 66 thalassemic patients. Their ages range from 7 to 22 years. Routine kidney indices and novel urinary KIM/creatinine ratio (UKIM-1/Cr) were measured. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Results indicate that the level of serum creatinine was significantly higher in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy [median(IQR), 0.85(0.63-0.99), 0.50(0.34-0.58) and 0.44(0.36-0.45)] mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.001]. The median(IQR) level of eGFR was significantly lower in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy [63.3(56.5-92.1), 117.3(91.9-162) and 136.7(109.4-157.6)] ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, p < 0.001]. The mean level of UKIM-1/Cr was significantly higher in patients on deferasirox therapy than patients on deferoxamine and deferiprone therapy (7.0 ± 1.9, 4.1 ± 1.7 and 4.2 ± 1.5) ng/mg creatinine, respectively, p < 0.001). We concluded that urinary KIM-1 is an early predictive biomarker for decline in eGFR in patients with ß-TM on deferasirox therapy. The appropriate chelation therapy and good monitoring of those patients are intensely needed for early detection of renal dysfunction and timely intervention.

First report of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an Egyptian child with ß-thalassemia major.

ß-Thalassemia (ß-thal) is the most common hereditary anemia in humans. With improvement of treatment protocols, patients are living longer and new complications have emerged. Few articles have reported the occurrence of malignancies among patients with ß-thal in different parts of the world. We herein report the first pediatric patient with ß-thal major (ß-TM), who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egypt with analysis of the different theories of pathogenesis.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Emicizumab Prophylaxis in Egyptian Pediatric Patients with Hemophilia A: Single Center Cross Sectional Study.

Purpose: Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked hereditary bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of coagulation factor VIII activity. Emicizumab is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that replaces the function of activated FVIII and prevents bleeds in patients with hemophilia A. Emicizumab is expected to reduce the risk of severe bleeds in those patients with their subsequent complications. However, data about its safety and efficacy in patients with hemophilia A is limited. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of Emicizumab prophylaxis in Egyptian pediatric patients with HA. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 88 HA patient who received prophylaxis with Emicizumab. Breakthrough bleeding episodes as well as annualized bleeding rate(ABR) were reported for all patients before and after Emicizumab prophylaxis. All adverse events during prophylaxis were reported to evaluate the safety of Emicizumab. Results: Joint bleeds were present in 94 % of the patients. 58% of them had one target joint, 36.4% had more than one target joint while 5.6% had no target joints. 17% of patients were positive for FVIII inhibitors. The median annualized joint bleeding rate (AJBR) was reduced remarkably after Emicizumab prophylaxis (36 before versus zero after Emicizumab. Also, the median ABR was 48 before Emicizumab versus zero after Emicizumab. Eight patients developed mild breakthrough bleeding episodes. The most common adverse events were local reaction at the injection sites, headache, arthralgia, fever and diarrhea. Conclusion: Emicizumab prophylaxis was associated with significantly lower rate of bleeding events in patients with HA with and without inhibitors. The majority of patients had zero bleeds with Emicizumab prophylaxis.

Egyptian Pediatric Guidelines for the Management of Children with Isolated Thrombocytopenia Using the Adapted ADAPTE Methodology-A Limited-Resource Country Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a prevalent presentation in childhood with a broad spectrum of etiologies, associated findings, and clinical outcomes. Establishing the cause of thrombocytopenia and its proper management have obvious clinical repercussions but may be challenging. This article provides an adaptation of the high-quality Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) of pediatric thrombocytopenia management to suit Egypt's health care context. METHODS: The Adapted ADAPTE methodology was used to identify the high-quality CPGs published between 2010 and 2020. An expert panel screened, assessed and reviewed the CPGs and formulated the adapted consensus recommendations based on the best available evidence. DISCUSSION: The final CPG document provides consensus recommendations and implementation tools on the management of isolated thrombocytopenia in children and adolescents in Egypt. There is a scarcity of evidence to support recommendations for various management protocols. In general, complete clinical assessment, full blood count, and expert analysis of the peripheral blood smear are indicated at initial diagnosis to confirm a bleeding disorder, exclude secondary causes of thrombocytopenia and choose the type of work up required. The International Society of Hemostasis and thrombosis-Bleeding assessment tool (ISTH-SCC BAT) could be used for initial screening of bleeding manifestations. The diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is based principally on the exclusion of other causes of isolated thrombocytopenia. Future research should report the outcome of this adapted guideline and include cost-analysis evaluations.

FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism in Egyptian children with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

INTRODUCTION: Phagocytosis of autoantibody-sensitized coated platelets through Fc gamma receptors on phagocytic cells is an important mechanism of thrombocytopenia in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the contribution of the FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism to the risk of ITP and their association with disease characteristics in Egyptian children. METHODS: A case control study was conducted on eighty children with primary ITP and eighty age and sex healthy matched subjects as a control group. The FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: We found that the FcγRIIa-131H and -131R allele frequencies were 51.3 % and 48.7%, respectively, in children with ITP, versus 75% and 25%, respectively, in controls (p = 0.002). The compound heterozygous HR genotype was significantly higher in ITP patients (p < 0.05). The FcγRIIIa-158F and -158V allele frequencies were 46.3% and 53.7%, respectively, in children with ITP, versus 70% and 30%, respectively, in controls (p = 0.002). The compound heterozygous VF genotype was significantly higher in ITP patients (p < 0.05). The combined HR/FV genotype was 47.5% in ITP patients, versus 10% in controls (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between children with newly diagnosed ITP and those who developed chronic ITP, regarding the frequency distribution of the FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa alleles and genotypes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a possible association of the FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism with the risk for, and genetic susceptibility to ITP in Egyptian children, but large-scale studies are still needed to support our findings.

Cerebral sinuses thrombosis prior to the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a child: A case report.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common malignancy in children. In children, venous thromboembolism is relatively common. In most cases, venous thromboembolism manifests in patients who are diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Several risk factors associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia predispose patients to the development of venous thromboembolism. Unlike most reported cases of venous thromboembolism, herein we report a child who developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis prior to the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient recovered from an attack of acute gastroenteritis with sepsis, pancytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation 2 weeks before the development of thrombosis. Her laboratory workup for coagulopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation was normal at the time of diagnosis of cerebral sinus thrombosis. The genetic workup for thrombophilia risk identified several genetic thrombophilia mutations: the homozygous factor XIII V34L and MTHFR A1298C mutations and heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. Three weeks later, the patient was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, it remains questionable whether the thrombotic event was caused by the previous infection of gastroenteritis, sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation picture (which was augmented by her genetic thrombophilia risk), or was it caused by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (that was not detected at early stages with its associated hypercoagulable state), or was it caused by a type of paraneoplastic syndrome. A multifactorial etiology is proposed.

Role of serum cystatin C in the prediction of acute kidney injury following pediatric cardiac surgeries: A single center experience.

Intense contemporary research is directed towards validating novel biomarkers to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in children undergoing cardiothoracic surgeries. We aimed to evaluate the role of cystatin C in early prediction of AKI following cardiac surgery in children with congenital heart disease. Prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 40 children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery. 40 healthy children with matched age and sex were enrolled as a control group. Children were subjected to physical examination, routine blood tests, echocardiography, and measurement of plasma cystatin C level on different occasions. The median age of the patients was 3.65 years, a range from 1 to 5 years with no significant difference regarding the age and sex of cases and control groups. The mean serum cystatin C level in patients was 0.75 ±â€…0.15, 1.35 ±â€…0.34 and 1.21 ±â€…0.38 mg/dL (preoperative, at 6 h and at 24 h postoperative, respectively) with statistically significant difference P < .05. 30% of the patients developed postoperative AKI with significantly higher serum cystatin C at 6 hours postoperative >1.33 mg/dL compared to preoperative level p P < .05. Serum cystatin C level was positively correlated with cardiac bypass time, ischemic time and length of hospital stay at 6 hours postoperative. Serum cystatin C is a sensitive marker for early detection of AKI following cardiac surgery in children with congenital heart disease and it was positively correlated with cardiac bypass time, ischemic time and length of hospital stay.

Association between ATP binding cassette gene member 1 polymorphism and glucocorticoid response in children with immune thrombocytopenia.

ATP binding Cassette gene member 1 (ABCB1) polymorphism has been incriminated in susceptibility to many malignant, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that ABCB1 polymorphisms might have a link to disease progression as well as response to therapy. We aimed to study the association between ABCB1 gene polymorphism and glucocorticoid response in children with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). A case control study was conducted on 90 newly diagnosed children with ITP and 90 healthy controls over a period of 1 year. ABCB1 (C3435T) polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) in patients and controls. There was no significant difference between patients and controls as regards to frequency of different ABCB1 genotypes (CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 44.4%, 36.7%, and 18.9% respectively in patients and 48.9%, 38.9%, and 12.2% respectively in controls, P value = 0.18). 80% of patients who received steroids alone or steroids in combination with intravenous immunoglobulin showed complete recovery. There was highly significant relationship between ABCB1 genotypes and response to steroids where 55 % of responders had CC (wild) genotype while 40 % of nonresponders had TT (mutant) genotype. We concluded that ABCB1 gene polymorphism may contribute to the response to steroids in Egyptian children with ITP where patients with homozygous CC genotype responded better to steroids than patients with homozygous TT genotype. These results may help us choose the appropriate initial treatment in these children.

Contribution of interleukin 27 serum level to pathogenesis and prognosis in children with immune thrombocytopenia.

ABSTRACT: Concepts surrounding the mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in ITP have shifted from the traditional view of autoantibody mediated platelet destruction to more complex mechanisms in which impaired platelet production, T-cell-mediated effects, and disturbed cytokine profiles play a role. Interleukin 27 (IL-27) plays pleiotropic roles in immunomodulation and autoimmune diseases.We aimed to determine the level of IL-27 in patients with ITP and its relationship to patient and disease characteristics as well as disease chronicity and response to treatment.Sixty childrens with primary immune thrombocytopenia were consequetively enrolled in this study as well as 20 age and sex matched healthy controls.ITP patients had significantly higher levels of IL-27 than controls (770.6 and 373.8 pg/ml, respectively). Patients with acute ITP had the highest levels of IL-27 among patient groups, while patients in remission had the lowest IL-27 levels (860.1and 622.9 pg/ml, respectively). Patients who received IVIG and combined steroids plus IVIG had significantly higher IL-27 levels than others. Patients who received Eltrombopag had significantly lower IL-27 levels than others.IL-27 seems to play a role in pathogenesis of childhood ITP. IL-27 can be used as a predictor for disease occurrence as well as responsiveness to treatment.

Assessment of serum aflatoxin B1 levels in neonatal jaundice with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a preliminary study.

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of food products is still a major health issue globally. Prior studies suggest that exposure to AFs during pregnancy has harmful fetal outcomes. This preliminary study was designed to assess serum AFB1 levels in neonatal jaundice (NNJ) secondary to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Twenty-four full-term neonates with hemolytic jaundice secondary to G6PD deficiency were enrolled in the study. Erythrocyte G6PD status was assessed colorimetrically, and serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that AFB1 was detected in 58% (14/24) of the studied newborns while detected in 75% (18/24) of their mothers. AFB1 positive cases had a highly significantly lower birthweight and G6PD activity (P = 0.001, each). Birthweight (r = - 0.574, P = 0.032) and G6PD activity (r = - 0.585, P = 0.028) negatively correlated with serum AFB1 levels while serum alanine aminotransferase activity positively correlated with serum AFB1 levels (r = 0.536, P = 0.048). Maternal AFB1 exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes as verified by the low birthweight and the evident decline in the activity of G6PD enzyme with the resultant hemolytic NNJ.

PTPN22 gene polymorphism as a genetic risk factor for primary immune thrombocytopenia in Egyptian children.

OBJECTIVES: Several genetic and non-genetic risk factors are implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 gene (PTPN22) plays an important role in regulation of signal transduction through the T-cell receptors. PTPN22 1858 C > T single nucleotide polymorphism was reported to be associated with increased risk of autoimmune diseases. There are very few studies investigating the role of PTPN22(SNP) 1858 C > T in childhood ITP. METHODS: This case-control study was designed for assessing the contribution of PTPN22 1858 C > T polymorphism to the risk of ITP in Egyptian children. Eighty children with newly diagnosed ITP were recruited from pediatric hematology out-patient clinic. Also, eighty age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled as a control group. PTPN22 1858 C/T SNP gene polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Frequency of PTPN22 1858 C/T genotypes CT, CC, and TT were 32.5,55, and 12.5% in patients versus 10, 90, and 0% in controls (p < 0.05).TT genotype was significantly associated with higher risk of ITP (OR = 17.8(0.94-333.35), 95% CI, and P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PTPN22 gene polymorphism may play a pivotal role in genetic predisposition to ITP and disease progress in Egyptian children.

Genetic polymorphism of vitamin D receptors and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and osteonecrosis risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis (ON) is one of the major therapy-related complications in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The purpose of the current study is to assess the frequency of ON in children with ALL and to detect whether polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene can affect the risk of ON. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nighty-six ALL children were enrolled. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D levels were performed in addition to the detection of polymorphisms in PAI-1and VDR genes by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Ten out of 96 patients had ON (four males and six females aged above 10 years) and had an insufficient level of 25(OH)D. Fifty-two percent of patients had PAI-1 GG genotype while 48% had PAI-1 GA genotype. PAI-1 polymorphism was detected in 60% of all ON cases. The frequencies of VDR genotypes were CT (56.3%), CC (39.6%), and TT (4.2%). Osteonecrosis was found in eight patients with CC genotype and in two patients with CT genotype. CONCLUSION: Osteonecrosis can develop early during the therapy of ALL. Older age and insufficient level of 25(OH)D were considered important risk factor for the development of osteonecrosis. PAT-1 and VDR gene polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor in its pathogenesis.

Serum endocan and endothelial dysfunction in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors: a tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of cardiovascular complications is reported in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Early identification of impaired vascular health may allow for early interventions to improve outcomes. AIM: The study was conducted to assess the endothelial dysfunction in ALL survivors using a new marker, serum endocan, and measurement of the mean common carotid arteries intima media thickness (cIMT). METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 100 childhood ALL survivors (aged 6-18 years), with 80 healthy age and sex-matched children as a control group. Lipid profile, hepatitis markers, and serum ferritin where measured, in addition to the measurement of serum endocan. and cIMT by B-mode high-resolution ultrasonography for all study participants. RESULTS: Triglycerides, total cholesterol, post prandial glucose, and serum ferritin were significantly higher in ALL survivors than controls (p < 0.05). Dyslipidemia was detected in 6% of ALL survivors. ALL survivors showed statistically higher serum endocan levels (470.41 ± 556.1 ng/l, versus, 225.94 ± 185.2 ng/l, respectively) and increased cIMT levels compared with the control group (0.650 ± 0.129 mm versus 0.320 ± 0.095 mm, respectively) p < 0.05. Serum endocan was positively correlated with cIMT and blood cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The survivors of childhood ALL demonstrated an elevated level of serum endocan and increased cIMT. These can be used as predictors of endothelial dysfunction, and, as a consequence, the risk of developing premature atherosclerosis.

Tissue factor expression predicts outcome in children with neuroblastoma: A retrospective study.

Previous studies have revealed that the processes of tumor angiogenesis, metastasis and invasiveness are highly dependent on components of the blood coagulation cascade. Tissue factor (TF) is one of the key proteins in coagulation. Cumulative evidence suggested that in addition to its role in coagulation, TF regulates intracellular signaling pathways that serve an important role in angiogenesis, tumor development and metastasis. In the present study, TF expression in neuroblastoma as well as its association with tumor stage, pathology and outcome were assessed. A total of 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were evaluated for TF expression by immunohistochemical analysis. Results revealed that TF expression was positive in 75% of the analyzed tumor tissues. No significant association between TF expression and sex, age, tumor stage or disease pathology was observed. MYCN proto-oncogene bHLH transcription factor (MYCN) was upregulated in 45% (n=18) of the study cases. Positive TF expression was observed in 94.4% of patients (n=17) with upregulated MYCN, while 59% of patients (n=13) with normal MYCN showed positive TF expression (P<0.05). TF expression was a significant outcome predictor for patients; 18/30 patients (60%) with positive TF expression succumbed to the disease during the study period. In conclusion, TF may be a promising prognosis indicator for neuroblastoma. Future studies to determine how TF affects the progression and outcome of neuroblastoma, as well as to investigate its potential role as a therapeutic target, are required.

Impact of Genotype of Beta Globin Gene on Hepatic and Myocardial Iron Content in Egyptian Patients with Beta Thalassemia.

Iron overload causes most of the mortality and morbidity associated with thalassemia. Excess iron deposits primarily in the liver, but once a threshold level is reached, iron loading may occur in other tissues such as the heart. Magnetic resonance imaging is a well established technique to noninvasively quantify myocardial and liver iron content. More than 300 disease-causing mutations have been identified. We aimed to determine the impact of genotype on liver iron content in patients with beta thalassemia. Cross sectional study was carried on 73 patients with beta thalassemia. MRI liver and heart was performed to determine hepatic and myocardial iron overload. Genotyping was determined by DNA sequencing technique. The mean liver iron content was 17.4 mg/g dw and mean cardiac T2* was 25.5 ms in our patients. Patients with ß0ß0 were associated with significantly higher liver and myocardial iron content compared to those with ß0ß+ and ß+ß+ genotypes. There was a clear association between genotype and both hepatic and myocardial iron overload. Patients with ß0ß0 had significantly higher liver and heart iron content compared to those with ß0ß+ and ß+ß+ genotypes. Liver iron content was strongly correlated to serum ferritin levels and myocardial iron overload.

Presepsin as a diagnostic marker of bacterial infections in febrile neutropenic pediatric patients with hematological malignancies.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is often observed in hematological malignancies (HEM). Presepsin is also known as soluble CD14 subtype; it is a glycoprotein fragment derived from monocytes and macrophages. We aimed to evaluate the significance of presepsin and other biomarkers for diagnosis of bacteremia in children with HEM. Sixty pediatric patients with different HEM (acute lymphoblastic leukemia 36, acute myeloid leukemia 12, non-Hodgkin lymphoma 10, and Hodgkin disease 2). Thirty age and sex-matched healthy children serving as control were enrolled in this study. Estimation of presepsin, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) during episode of FN in addition to absolute neutrophils count (ANC) and blood culture was performed for all the participants. Presepsin levels were higher in the patients than in control with a higher increments in the positive blood cultures than the sterile cases. Presepsin concentration was significantly higher in bacteremia than clinically proved infection and fever of unknown origin. A statistically significant positive correlation between presepsin and CRP plus PCT levels but negative correlation with ANC were observed in the patients subgroups. Presepsin is a useful marker for detection of bacteremia with sensitivity and specificity (100 and 85.7%). This finding supported that presepsin was superior to PCT and CRP in identifying bacterial infection in FN.