Serum IgE levels in patients with allergic problems and healthy subjects.

Total serum IgE levels were estimated in 219 patients with various allergic disorders (119 with bronchial asthma, 68 with allergic rhinitis and 32 with urticaria) and 240 healthy age matched subjects. Serum IgE levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in healthy males (mean 181 IU/ml) than females (mean 99 IU/ml). Higher levels were found in the age group 15 to 24 years and lowest in over 55 years. Males had higher IgE levels than females at any given age. Mean IgE levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in all three groups of patients than in healthy subjects. Among all age groups, the difference in mean IgE levels between allergic subjects and controls was significant. Positive skin test reactivity (to pollen and dust allergens) was found in 60% patients with asthma, 51% with allergic rhinitis, 46% with urticaria and in 4.5% healthy subjects. Patients with positive skin test had higher mean IgE levels as compared to those with negative skin test, but the difference was insignificant.

Blood lead levels in young children in Chakshahzad, Islamabad.

Blood lead levels were estimated in one hundred and seventy school children, aged 13 to 19 years, residing in Chakshahzad area of Islamabad. The overall mean blood lead level was 2.38 ug/dl (range 0.2 to 8.6 ug/dl), 3.22 ug/dl in boys and 1.49 ug/dl in girls. A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found in mean blood lead concentrations between the two sexes. The highest mean levels for lead were found at the age of 13 years. Blood lead levels in adolescents reported here were relatively low. They reflect very little or no risk to the health of children in Chakshahzad and it also indicated that area of Chakshahzad is relatively free from any lead pollution.

Immunoglobulins and serum proteins in toxoplasmosis.

Immunoglobulin levels in 47 children (age 13-20 years) with toxoplasmosis were compared with 46 age and sex matched controls. No significant difference was observed in mean serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) levels between patients and controls but mean IgM levels were significantly (P) higher in children with acute toxoplasma infection. Total proteins were higher in patients while mean albumin and globulin levels were similar between the two groups. Estimation of serum immunoglobulins in young children with toxoplasmosis has no significance and should not be considered as an immunodiagnostic tool.

Iron deficiency in adolescents.

Two hundred and seventy school children between 13 to 20 years were investigated for iron deficiency. Overall iron deficiency (assessed by serum ferritin assay) was 39% in adolescents; 30% boys and 54% girls were iron depleted, anemia was found in 17% boys (Hb 13g/dl) and in 18% girls (Hb 12g/dl). Iron deficiency was more frequent than anemia in adolescent girls than boys. Iron deficient children had significantly lower mean Hb levels (p 0.001) compared to children with adequate iron stores. A significant correlation was found between serum ferritin concentration and Hb levels in iron deficient children (r = 0.49, p 0.001). A high prevalence of iron deficiency in adolescents reported here reflects the limited availability of dietary iron in children belonging to lower socio-economic group and the importance of screening for iron deficiency and the treatment of these children with iron preparation. Iron status in this age group warrants further evaluation and research.

Serum calcium, urea and uric acid levels in pre-eclampsia.

Serum calcium, urea and uric acid levels were determined in 100 normal pregnant women and 50 patients with pre-eclampsia. Serum calcium levels were significantly lower and urea and uric acid levels higher in pre-eclampsia. Low levels of calcium were found as early as 28 weeks and can therefore be used for early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasma gondii infection in young school children in Islamabad.

Sera, from 270 school children (age 13 to 20 years) residing in suburbs of Islamabad, were investigated for the presence of toxoplasma gondii, IgG antibodies using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence was 17.4%. There was no significant difference between the two sexes. Since a positive test result for IgG antibodies at any level does not eliminate the possibility of a current infection, the toxoplasma IgG antibody positive children were further tested for the presence of toxoplasma IgM antibodies by the same technique. An acute infection was indicated in 12.7% (6/47) IgG positive children. This study shows that toxoplasmosis is prevalent in adolescence in Islamabad. The presence of cats and the degree of soil contact appeared compatible with hypothesis of transmission by oocysts. Poor sanitary habits and conditions and water shortage in schools may cause parasitic infection through contact between the children. An improvement in general hygienic conditions is important in reducing the rate of transmission by oocysts. Further studies are needed to assess the possible age of exposure to this parasite in the paediatric group.

Composition of gall-stones-histochemical staining.

Twenty Six mixed infective and 2 cholesterol gall-stones were stained for cholesterol, calcium, fat and mucoproteins. Calcium and cholesterol were found to be the main constituents of all the calculi. Calcium was found mainly in the centre and mucoprotein in the peripheral layers. The fine crystals of cholesterol were demonstrated in those biliary calculi which did not contain mucoprotein. It appeared that calcium might have acted as a cementing force rather than mucoprotein in this study.