Expression Patterns of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Its Gene Variants (MIF-173 G˃C) in Verruca Vulgaris.

Introduction: Verruca vulgaris is a benign hyperkeratotic proliferation of the epidermis. Few studies look at the differences in serum and tissue macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels in verruca vulgaris, as well as its gene polymorphisms that have yet to be explored. The current study provided in-depth evaluation of MIF in serum and tissues of patients with verruca vulgaris, and establishes for the first time the possible association of MIF gene polymorphisms with common warts. Methods: This case-control study included 50 patients who were diagnosed clinically as common warts in comparison with 50 age and sex-matched controls. Clinical examination was done on all included cases. Serum MIF was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while its tissue expression was analyzed using Western blotting and immunohistochemical techniques for the included participants. Analysis of MIF-173 G˃C single nucleotide polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Results: The overall results revealed significantly lower MIF tissue expression in lesional and perilesional skin biopsies from cases compared to the controls using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Yet, the difference in the serum MIF levels between cases and controls was not significant (p ˃ 0.05). GC genotype of the studied MIF rs755622 G>C SNP could be considered as a protective genetic factor against the occurrence of verruca vulgaris among Egyptians with OR (95% CI) equal 0.444 (0.199-0.989). Conclusion: MIF and its genetic variants are thought to play a pathogenic role in verruca vulgaris development and recurrence.

Biochemical Assessments of Seminal Plasma Zinc, Testis-Expressed Sequence 101 and Free Amino Acids and Their Correlations with Reproductive Hormones in Male Infertility.

The role of the male factors in the couple's infertility has been significantly increased in recent years due to a sententious assessment of male reproductive functions and enhanced diagnostic tools. We investigated the correlations among the seminal plasma (SP) levels of each of zinc, testis-expressed sequence 101 (TEX101), and free amino acids levels with reproductive hormones in adult fertile and infertile men. The study included 100 infertile men categorized into 50 non-obstructive azoospermic patients and 50 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT), in addition to 50 fertile controls. Semen analyses, serum ELISA assays for male reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone, and prolactin), colorimetric assays of SP zinc and total proteins, SP free amino acids using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ELISA assays of SP TEX101 were performed for all subjects. Infertile men with azoospermia had significantly lower SP median levels of zinc, TEX101, and many SP free amino acids compared to both men with iOAT and fertile controls (P Ë‚ 0.05 for all). There were lower SP levels of zinc and some free amino acids among men with iOAT compared to the fertile controls (P Ë‚ 0.05 for all) with non-significant difference regarding to SP TEX101 (P Ëƒ 0.05). Azoospermic men exhibited negative correlations between FSH, LH, and prolactin with some SP free amino acids (P Ë‚ 0.05 for all), and a positive correlation between glycine with total testosterone (P Ë‚ 0.05). Among iOAT patients, LH and FSH were positively correlated with SP zinc, TEX101, and some measured free amino acids (P Ë‚ 0.05 for all). Total testosterone was positively correlated with some amino acids, while prolactin was negatively correlated with glycine (P Ë‚ 0.05 for all). iOAT and azoospermic men exhibited low SP zinc and some free amino acids levels that were more pronounced in azoospermic men and were significantly associated with the reproductive hormones. TEX101 could be a helpful confirmatory test for azoospermia.

Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir Therapy Enhance Monocyte Phenotypic Changes in Naive Chronic Hepatitis C Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Liver inflammation influences monocyte function, recruitment, and consequently inflammatory and fibrogenic responses. We aimed to investigate changes in the circulating monocyte phenotypes in response to Daclatasvir-Sofosbuvir (SOF/DCV) therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and relate findings to the viral kinetics and the fibrosis score. METHODS: A longitudinal study involving 100 treatment-naïve patients and 30 healthy controls, tested for liver function, fibrosis scores (AST to platelet ratio index, FIB-4), and blood monocyte subsets based on CD14/CD16 expression by flow cytometer. RESULTS: CHC patients had significantly lower albumin, higher ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and increased fibrosis scores [Fib-4 (1.85±0.98) and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) (0.6±0.35)], higher monocyte and eosinophil counts and lowered neutrophil to monocyte ratio (NMR), and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) compared to week 12 and control. CHC patients had significantly increased median [classical (52.2% versus 25.8%, P=0.004) and inflammatory CD16+ monocytes (23.1% versus 13.58%, P=0.035)]. Therapy results in achievement of sustained virological response in 92% of cases, liver function improvement, and normalization of the inflammatory monocytes subsets. Monocyte counts showed positive correlation with viral load, calculated fibrosis scores (APRI and FIB-4 score), AST, ALT, ANC, and inverse correlations with serum albumin, leukocyte, eosinophil, NMR, and LMR. Multivariate regression found eosinophil count as predictors of CD16+ monocyte count in CHC patients. CONCLUSION: CHC infection promotes a proinflammatory and profibrotic monocytes profile. SOF/DCV therapy efficiently decreases viral load, reduces fibrosis potentials, attenuates monocyte activation, normalizes monocytes phenotypic abnormalities, and modulates monocyte subsets recruitment and differentiation later in the liver.

Assessment of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children with iron deficiency anemia.

BACKGROUND: Iron plays an important role in body defense and essential for normal immune system development where its deficiency may result in an inadequate immune response. We aimed to assess the lymphocyte subsets in childhood iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with their laboratory correlations. METHODS: Fifty IDA (< 18 years) and 25 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled and a complete history was obtained and clinical examination was performed. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin, were performed. Flow cytometric determination of peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD19+ B-lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio were done. RESULTS: Patients had significantly lower hemoglobin, Serum iron, ferritin levels and higher lymphocytic count in patients compared with controls (p = 0.001, 0.03, 0.001, 0.001 respectively). CD3 count and percentage were significantly lower in IDA patients compared to controls (p = 0.007 and 0.005 respectively). There was a Significant reduction in the CD4 count, percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio in patients compared with controls (p = 0.001, 0.001 and 0.005 respectively) while there was no significant difference regarding CD8 count and percentage. No significant difference between the two studied groups regarding either CD19 count or percentage (p = 0.28 and 0.18 respectively) were found. CONCLUSIONS: IDA is associated with impaired cell-mediated immune response specifically T-cell mediated immunity.

Biochemical assessments of thyroid profile, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and cluster of differentiation 5 expression levels among children with autism.

BACKGROUND: The exact pathogenesis of autism is still unknown. Both thyroid hormones and 25(OH)D are important for brain development, in addition to CD5; all have immunomodulatory actions by which their dysregulation may have a potential role in autism pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the thyroid profile, serum 25(OH)D levels and CD5 expression levels among autistic patients and to find out the correlations between the measured biomarkers with each other on one side and with the disease severity on the other side. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study has been conducted on 60 children with autism and 40 controls, recruited from Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score was used to assess the included patients. Biochemical assays of thyroid function in the form of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and 25(OH)D were done using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, while CD5 expression levels were measured using flow cytometry (FCM) analysis for all the included patients and controls. RESULTS: The overall measurement results show significant higher mean serum TSH levels, mean CD5 expression levels with significant lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels among autistic children when compared with the control group (p<0.05 for all). Significant negative correlations between CD5 with FT3, FT4 and 25(OH)D were observed. CARS score showed significant negative correlations with both FT3 and 25(OH)D, while it was positively correlated with CD5 in a significant manner (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Elevated CD5 expression and decreased 25(OH)D stores could play a potential role in the pathogenesis of autism via their immune-modulator actions. High TSH serum levels among autistic children, although within the physiological range, reflect the presence of thyroid dysfunction among such children, which needs further assessment.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and CD4+CD25(+high) FoxP3+ Regulatory T cell as Predictors of Severity of Bronchial Asthma in Children.

Bronchial asthma (BA) is one of the common chronic diseases of childhood. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with BA. Suppressor regulatory T cells (Treg) are important for the induction, maintenance of immunological tolerance to allergens. This study assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) and the percentages of CD4+CD25+(high) Foxp3+ Treg, in peripheral blood, as predictors of asthma severity and level of clinical control. The study enrolled 72 children divided equally between asthmatic children (AC) and age and sex matched controls. Diagnostic criteria and level of asthma severity followed the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Serum vitamin D was determined by an immunoassay and the percentages of CD4+CD25+ig Foxp3+ Treg by flow cytometry. Serum vitamin D level and percentage of CD4+CD25+(high) Treg were lower in AC compared to controls (P < 0.001) whereas Fox p3 expression was higher in AC compared to controls, P < 0.001. Serum vitamin D levels were lower in severe asthma compared to mild and moderate forms (P = 0.008) and in uncontrolled attacks compared to partially or completely controlled children. No difference in percentage of Treg in relation to asthma severity and clinical control was observed. Since AC has decreased serum vitamin D with inverse relationship between its levels and asthma severity, we conclude that it can be used to predict severity of asthma.

Assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d levels in children with atopic dermatitis: correlation with SCORAD index.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with an immunologic basis. It may have negative medical and social impacts on a patient and his family. OBJECTIVES: To assess serum level of vitamin D among children with AD and determine its association with AD severity using the AD Scoring System Index. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with AD in the age group between 2 and 12 years were enrolled in the study. The severity of the disease was determined by the AD scoring system. Thirty controls were recruited. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] were tested using commercial automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean value of vitamin D in children with AD was much lower than normal value, and there was a significant difference in the mean values of vitamin D between children with AD (5.4±1.9 ng/mL) and the controls (28.9±2.4 ng/mL). Serum 25(OH)D levels were found to be significantly higher in mild AD (14.6±3.5 ng/mL) compared with moderate (5.5±3.1 ng/mL) or severe AD (0.3±0.1 ng/mL); P<0.001. CONCLUSION: Patients with AD have lower serum vitamin D levels than normal. Vitamin D deficiency might be related to the severity of AD.

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection in women with first trimester spontaneous miscarriage in qena governorate, egypt.

INTRODUCTION: To determine seroprevalence and risks factors for T. gondii in women with early miscarriage, Sera of 76 women were analyzed infection by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive cases were further examined histopathologically for evidence of Toxoplasma gondii organisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Demographic data were obtained from participants to gather information on risk factors. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Of 76 women with spontaneous abortion screened for Toxoplasma-specific IgG and IgM antibodies with ELISA, 35 were IgG seropositive, of which, 14 samples were IgM seropositive. Therefore, seropositivity rates of 46.1% (95% CI: 35.1%, 57.3%), and 18.4% (95% CI: 10.89%, 28.32%) for IgG and IgM, respectively were found. These indicate that, 27.6 % (21 cases) of studied women (IgG+/IgM-) were immune to toxoplasmosis and 53.94 %(41 cases) were susceptible to primary infection (IgG-/IgM-). Mean while acute toxoplasmosis (IgG+/IgM+) was 18.4 %( 14 cases) with one case (1.3%) confirmed for recent infection as she had Tachyzoites on histopathology study. On the basis of multivariate logistic regression, living in a rural area was found to be the only independent predictor of toxoplasmosis (OR=3.800, CI= 1.100-10.813, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in women with first trimester abortion in Qena governorate of Egypt is high. Pregnant women living in rural area are at a higher risk for acquiring infection during pregnancy. Antenatal screening of pregnant women and educational program about risks for Toxoplasmosis in rural areas is needed.