Polymorphism of C3 complement in association with myocardial infarction in a sample of central Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major clinical problem because of its large contribution to mortality. The genetic bases of this disease have been widely studied in recent years to find a clear association with some genetic markers that increase the risk of its occurrence. In the present investigation, the correlation between MI and the C3 complement polymorphism was analyzed using a case-control study. METHODS: Our study ported on one hundred seventy survived myocardial infarction patients and ninety five healthy controls. The C3 allele identification was investigated using the amplification refractory mutation system PCR to determine the C3*S and the C3*F alleles of the C3 polymorphism. RESULTS: Frequencies of C3*S and C3*F in patients are 0.59 and 0.41 respectively. Fisher test results showed a significant increase of C3*F allele in the sample of patients (0.41; odds ratio: 2.616; C.I [1.738-3.938]) compared to controls (0.21; odds ratio: 0.382; 95% CI [0.254-0.575]), p = 2.742 × 10-6. CONCLUSION: A strong positive correlation was found between C3 polymorphism and MI estimating that the risk of myocardial infarction is significantly increased among patients with C3*F allele of this polymorphism. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1190484203893646.

[Ischemic strokes in young adults]. / Accidents vasculaires cérébraux ischémiques du sujet jeune.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine etiologies and outcome of strokes in young adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively 48 cases of patients with transient ischemic attack or arterial ischemic stroke aged between 15 and 48 years admitted in the Neurology and Cardiology Departments of the University Hospital of Monastir from 1987 to 1996. The study variables included the full clinical spectrum, spanning historical, laboratory, radiological and outcome parameters. RESULTS: Thirty four were female and 14 male, the mean age was 33 +/- 8.8 years, with a peak in the 4th decade. Our series is characterised by the higher incidence of cardioembolic dominated by prosthetic valve. 62.5% of patients had common vascular risk factors. Non-atherosclerotic arteriopathies were observed in six cases uncommon etiologies of ischemic stroke (Moya-Moya disease, Takayasu's disease...). Etiology remain undetermined in four cases. Mortality rate was 8.5%. Reccurrences were observed in 12.5%. 29% of patients have recovered complete autonomy while 26% have conserved severe handicap. CONCLUSION: We found a higher incidence of cardioembolic diseases dominated by prosthetic valve.