Increased number of regulatory T cells in esophageal tissue of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in comparison to gastro esophageal reflux disease and control groups

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a primarily polygenic allergic disorder. Although most patients have IgE sensitization, it seems that non-IgE mediated responses mainly contribute to the pathogenesis of EoE. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may have an important role in allergies. There are limited data on the association of Tregs and EoE. In this study, we enumerated and compared T lymphocytes and Tregs in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal controls. Methods: Ten patients with EoE, ten patients with GERD and eight normal controls were included. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to enumerate T lymphocytes and Tregs. CD3+ cells were considered as T cells and FOXP3+, CD3+ cells were considered as Tregs. T cells and Tregs were counted in 10 high power fields (HPF) (×400) for each patient and the average of 10 HPFs was recorded. Results: The mean±SEM of Tregs in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE (10.90 ± 2.14cells/HPF) was significantly higher than the GERD (2.77 ± 0.66 cells/HPF) and control groups (0.37 ± 0.08 cells/HPF) (P < 0.001). Additionally, the mean ± SEM of T lymphocytes in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE (24.39 ± 3.86 cells/HPF) were increased in comparison to the GERD (10.07 ± 2.65 cells/HPF) and control groups (3.17 ± 0.93 cells/HPF) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is an increase in the number of esophageal T lymphocytes and regulatory T cells in patients with EoE compared to the GERD and control groups

No disponible

Increased number of regulatory T cells in esophageal tissue of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in comparison to gastro esophageal reflux disease and control groups.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a primarily polygenic allergic disorder. Although most patients have IgE sensitization, it seems that non-IgE mediated responses mainly contribute to the pathogenesis of EoE. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may have an important role in allergies. There are limited data on the association of Tregs and EoE. In this study, we enumerated and compared T lymphocytes and Tregs in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal controls. METHODS: Ten patients with EoE, ten patients with GERD and eight normal controls were included. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to enumerate T lymphocytes and Tregs. CD3+ cells were considered as T cells and FOXP3+, CD3+ cells were considered as Tregs. T cells and Tregs were counted in 10 high power fields (HPF) (×400) for each patient and the average of 10 HPFs was recorded. RESULTS: The mean±SEM of Tregs in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE (10.90±2.14cells/HPF) was significantly higher than the GERD (2.77±0.66cells/HPF) and control groups (0.37±0.08cells/HPF) (P<0.001). Additionally, the mean±SEM of T lymphocytes in esophageal tissue of patients with EoE (24.39±3.86cells/HPF) were increased in comparison to the GERD (10.07±2.65cells/HPF) and control groups (3.17±0.93cells/HPF) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is an increase in the number of esophageal T lymphocytes and regulatory T cells in patients with EoE compared to the GERD and control groups.

Trichohepatoenteric Syndrome or Syndromic Diarrhea-Report of Three Members in a Family, First Report from Iran.

Introduction. Intractable diarrhea of infancy (IDI) includes several types of early onset diarrhea; one of the rare etiologies is trichohepatoenteric (THE) syndrome, also known as syndromic diarrhea (SD) which was primarily described by Stankler et al. Hereby we report a family with several affected members which to our knowledge is the first case report from Iran. Report of Cases. A three-year-old boy referred with short stature, poor weight gain, and intermittent steatotic diarrhea to our center. He was born to healthy, relative parents (cousins). He did not gain any weight after four months of age and began having intermittent steatotic diarrhea, abdominal distension, and fever. He was hospitalized several times. Two other children in the family also showed somewhat similar symptoms. Two sweat tests were negative for cystic fibrosis. Workup for Celiac disease was performed several times which was negative; however, gluten-free diet was tried several times which was not effective. Workup for Hirschsprung's disease was performed but colon was ganglionic. Evidence of liver involvement was approved by elevated liver enzymes and coarse echo of liver on sonography. Discussion. Trichoenterohepatic syndrome should be put in mind in cases of intractable diarrhea presenting in a family with several affected members. Early diagnosis would save patients from unnecessary workups.

Serum level of zinc in asthmatic patients: A case-control study

BACKGROUND: Hypozincemia could lead to a variety of defects in growth and the immune system, while it seems to be associated with increased rate of asthmatic attacks in children. METHODS: This study was performed to assess the serum zinc level in 100 paediatric asthmatic patients in comparison with a control group. RESULTS: Mean serum level of zinc in the asthmatic patients was 70.5 ± 22.6 μg/dL, which was significantly lower than 80.9 ± 16.9 μg/dL in the control group (p < 0.001). Forty-two asthmatic patients (42%) had hypozincemia, while this rate was 12% in healthy children (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between the zinc level and severity of asthma (p < 0.001). However, no significant association was detected between the serum level of zinc and other factors, including control and treatment of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: As for high rate of hypozincemia in the asthmatic children, evaluation of serum zinc level in asthmatic children could be suggested, while zinc substitution in the diet of those with hypozincemia could be recommended

No disponible

Serum level of zinc in asthmatic patients: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Hypozincemia could lead to a variety of defects in growth and the immune system, while it seems to be associated with increased rate of asthmatic attacks in children. METHODS: This study was performed to assess the serum zinc level in 100 paediatric asthmatic patients in comparison with a control group. RESULTS: Mean serum level of zinc in the asthmatic patients was 70.5±22.6 µg/dL, which was significantly lower than 80.9±16.9 µg/dL in the control group (p<0.001). Forty-two asthmatic patients (42%) had hypozincemia, while this rate was 12% in healthy children (p<0.001). There was a significant association between the zinc level and severity of asthma (p<0.001). However, no significant association was detected between the serum level of zinc and other factors, including control and treatment of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: As for high rate of hypozincemia in the asthmatic children, evaluation of serum zinc level in asthmatic children could be suggested, while zinc substitution in the diet of those with hypozincemia could be recommended.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A national survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran was made on a random sample of families covered by local health centres affiliated to the medical universities. Out of 53,995 people aged 2+ years, from 12,495 families (0.1% of all families in 1999), 45,128 stool samples were analysed by formalin-ether precipitation. Intestinal parasitic infections were found in 19.3% of the study population (19.7% male, 19.1% female). Giardia lamblia (10.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.0%) and Enterobius vermicularis (0.5%) were the most common infections. The infection rate was highest in the 2-14 years age group (25.5%) and in rural residents (23.7%).

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran

A national survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran was made on a r and om sample of families covered by local health centres affiliated to the medical universities. Out of 53,995 people aged 2+ years, from 12,495 families [0.1% of all families in 1999], 45,128 stool samples were analysed by formalin-ether precipitation. Intestinal parasitic infections were found in 19.3% of the study population [19.7% male, 19.1% female]. Giardia lamblia [10.9%], Ascaris lumbricoides [1.5%], Entamoeba histolytica [1.0%] and Enterobius vermicularis [0.5%] were the most common infections. The infection rate was highest in the 2-14 years age group [25.5%] and in rural residents [23.7%]