High prevalence of islet cell antibody and defective insulin release in children with schistosomiasis.

The importance of islet cell antibodies (ICA) as a predictor of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) has been emphasized by several investigators since 1974. The ICA was also detected in patients with various immune-mediated diseases such as auto-immune thyroiditis. Schistosomiasis is a wide-spread helminthic disease which affects more than 200 million patients all over the world. Immunological abnormalities and pancreatic affection are features of the disease. We studied the prevalence of ICA in 40 children with schistosomiasis (20 males and 20 females), 14 children with IDDM, and 30 of the non-diabetic siblings of patients with IDDM, and evaluated the oral glucose tolerance and early release of insulin after an i.v. load of glucose in children with schistosomiasis, diabetics' siblings, and 10 normal age-matched controls. The age of onset of IDDM and duration of the disease were 6.5 +/- 2.3 and 4.1 +/- 1.2, respectively, and the age of onset and duration of schistosomiasis were 8.3 +/- 2.7 and 2.5 +/- 1.5 years, respectively. Sex, consanguinity, history of previous virus diseases (mumps, measles and rubella), and sex maturity rating did not differ among the three study groups; however, children with schistosomiasis were significantly older. The prevalence of ICA was 50 per cent in children with IDDM, 13 per cent in the diabetics' siblings, and 25 per cent of children with schistosomiasis. Glucose tolerance was normal in children with schistosomiasis and diabetics' siblings. Early release of insulin after i.v. glucose load was significantly lower in children with schistosomiasis compared to the other two groups. In conclusion, the high prevalence of ICA and the decreased early release of insulin in response to an i.v. glucose load in children with schistosomiasis suggest that auto-immune aggression against the islet cells contributes in the pathogenesis of pancreatic disease in these patients, and might increase the risk for developing glucose intolerance and diabetes.

Naturally occurring toxoplasma antibodies in serum and milk of lactating women.

Serum and milk of lactating women were tested for toxoplasmosis using specific-IgG IFAT. Apparently healthy 70 women were selected: 54 from rural and 16 from urban areas. Serum and milk were simultaneously collected from each one. Sera were positive in 22 (31.4%) of the total 70; including 16 (29.6%) and 6 (37.5%) of rural and urban groups respectively. No statistical significant difference was found for positivity and titre levels between the two groups (P greater than 0.05). Milk was positive in 12 (17.1%) of the 70 women; including 10 (18.5%) and 2 (12.5%) from rural and urban groups respectively, having no statistical significant difference (P greater than 0.05). Comparing serum and milk for positivity and titre levels, also there was no statistical significant difference (P greater than 0.05). It is concluded that relatively low antibody levels in serum could be excreted in milk and may be protective for suckling babies. Occurrence of antibodies in serum and milk are homogeneously distributed between rural and urban inhabitants.

Effect of processing on availability of essential amino acids in rice flour and cooked rice.

The availability of nitrogen, lysine and nine essential amino acids was determined in rice flour and cooked rice. Lysine availability was determined by the growth response method using regression analysis of body weight gain or moisture gain against lysine consumed from rice flour and cooked rice. The results show a good correlation between lysine consumed and weight gain or moisture gain (r = 0.86 + 0.8) for rats fed cooked rice and fair correlation for those fed rice flour. The results of lysine availability show that cooking increases availability by both ways of calculation. The availability of nitrogen and of essential amino acids was also determined by the balance trial method with rats. Results of balance trial show that cooking has no significant effect on essential amino acids availability. Data for weight gain, food efficiency and PER were significantly decreased by cooking.