Profiling of inflammatory biomarkers in mild to critically ill severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-19 (SARS Covid-19) patients from Karachi, Pakistan.

SARS-Covid-19 infection got spread in many countries and WHO declared it as a serious global Pandemic. Pro-inflammatory cytokines storm generated by Covid-19 infection hyper-activates inflammatory response in host body, resulting in elevated release of inflammatory biomarkers. Present article describes the characteristic profile of these inflammatory and related biomarkers in a total of 48 critically ill Covid-19 patients, (Male = 38, F = 10), with mildly ill to severe, critically ill status and thus grouped accordingly. Inflammatory Biomarkers, Ferritin, ProCalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein, coagulation marker-D-Dimer, chemical analytes, Protein, Albumin, BUN, Bilirubin, Creatinine, and enzymes, Lactate Dehydrogenase, γ-Glutamyl transpeptidases, Alkaline phosphatase were routine analyzed by standard methods described earlier. D-dimer, Ferritin, CRP and Procalcitonin exhibited variable alterations (P<0.05 to P<0.001), more markedly in critically ill patients than in the mild and severe. Biochemical analytes and enzymatic parameters showed elevated levels (P<0.05 to P<0.01) mostly in critically ill category of patients when compared with mild or severe, except total protein and albumin, which remained non-significant. It is concluded that cytokine, chemokines and pro-inflammatory markers, which released in abnormally high concentrations in Covid-19 patients of variable syndrome intensity, are significant indicators of disease severity, progression and success of treatments. As the pharmacological options may vary with the different stages of the disease therefore identifying the correct stage of the disease may be very useful in selecting the best option.

Dyslipidaemia in woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a case control study in tertiary care hospital of Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To compare lipid profile in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome with normal weight and obese controls. METHOD: The case-control study was conducted at the Department of Chemical Pathology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from March 2006 to April 2007. It comprised 50 cases of polycystic ovary syndrome along with 50 healthy controls matching for age, gender and weight. SPSS 14 was used for statistical analysis. RESULT: The mean fasting levels of triglyceride and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol were considerably higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than those in the control group (p < 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterolwas significantly low in patients than the controls (p <0.001). Obese patients had high triglyceride value (p < 0.05). There was significant interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and triglyceride levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with a more pronounced atherogenic lipid profile. Lipid parameters were adversely affected in a subgroup that was obese. As such, women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to the presence of dyslipidaemia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and diagnostic significance of A-fetoprotein (AFP).

BACKGROUND: Alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-fetoprotein, AFP) is a Glycoprotein, belonging to the intriguing class of onco-development protein. Generally designated as tumour marker, AFP is recognized as an important blood component, having specific diagnostic utilities Elevation of its level up to pathological range in adults correlate with the appearance of several malignant and chronic conditions, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chronic liver disease, respectively. METHODS: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of AFP in HCC, a study was carried out for a period of two years (Jan 2004 to Dec 2005) A brief history of Patients was taken with clinical symptoms and signs and initial diagnosis. Patients admitted in wards or visiting OPDs with diagnosis or suspicions of HCC and additional conditions of Chronic Liver disease (CLDs), hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B viral (HBV) infections, were selected and classified according to gender. When confirmed, their HCC status was evaluated and classified according to clinical condition. RESULTS: In 1012 adults including, males 762 (75.3%) and females 250 (24.7%) patients suspected of or diagnosed with HCC and presence of HBV and HCV infections. Out of 480 males, who depicted elevated AFP levels, 39 (8.13%) were diagnosed with HCC. Similarly, 7 (5.34%) females out of 131 with elevated levels of AFP were diagnosed with HCC. Mean elevated AFP levels in all HCC patients were, 421 +/- 59 microg/ml (range 157-4019 microg/ml) in males and 163 +/- 32 microg/ml (range 101-2341 microg/ml) in females. In males, the overall estimated mean AFP elevated values were analyzed to be 514 microg/ml (range 67-4019 +/- 59 microg/ml,), whereas in females it was 396 +/- 42 microg/ml (range 21-2341 microg/ml). It was also noted that 43 (8.96%) males and 7 (5.34%) female patients, exhibited elevated levels of AFP, however, found negative for HCV and HBV infections. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that AFP is a significant markers for Hepatocellular carcinoma, helpful in assessing problems in management of HCC and monitoring treatment regiments. In addition, AFP is also an indicator of HCC risks mostly in patients with cirrhosis and HCV/HBV infections.