The assessment of microbial infection in children with autism spectrum disorders and genetic folate cycle deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The results of disparate clinical studies indicate abnormally frequent cases of certain microorganisms in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, these data require clarification and systematization. The study aims to study the structure of the microbial profile in children with ASD and genetic folate cycle deficiency (GFCD) and consider differences in diagnostic approaches for identifying microorganisms of different types. METHODS: The study analyzed medical data from 240 children (187 boys and 63 girls) with GFCD aged 2 to 9 years. The children had clinical manifestations of ASD (the study group, SG). The control group (CG) included 53 clinically healthy children (37 boys and 16 girls) of the same age but without GFCD. Both groups of children were tested on active herpetic infections (HSV-1/2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8), ТТV, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Borrelia burgdorferi, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Toxoplasma gondii, congenital CMV neuroinfection and postnatal HSV-1/2 encephalitis. The testing used diagnostic methods specified in PubMed-indexed studies. RESULTS: In the SG, TTV was found in 196 children (82%), HHV-7 - in 172 (72%), HHV-6 - in 162 (68%), EBV - in 153 (64%), Streptococcus pyogenes - in 127 (53%), Candida albicans - in 116 (48%), Borrelia - in 107 (45%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae - in 94 (39%), Chlamydia pneumoniae - in 85 (35%), Yersinia entеrocolitica - in 71 (30%), Toxoplasma gondii - in 54 (23%), congenital CMV neuroinfection - in 26 (11%), and postnatal HSV-1/2 encephalitis - in 11 children (5% of cases) (p < p0.05; Z < Z0.05). In the SG, there was a higher microbial load in older children (p < p0.05; Z < Z0.05). No gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The study described and characterized a specific abnormal microbial spectrum with a predominance of viral opportunistic agents in children with ASD associated with GFCD.

Simultaneous bilateral angioplasty and stenting for carotid stenosis - a single center experience.

Carotid artery stenosis is responsible for up to 12% of all ischemic strokes. The prevalence of bilateral carotid artery stenosis is nearly 8-39% among patients with stroke, and its management is still controversial. This study aimed to report the treatment results of bilateral carotid artery stenosis with simultaneous bilateral angioplasty and stenting (sbCAS) in a single institution during the last 10 years. 315 patients underwent carotid stenting in the Scientific-Practical Center of Endovascular Neuroradiology, NAMS of Ukraine during 2010-2020. 39 (12.4%) patients (mean age 57.9±2.1 - 28 men) underwent sbCAS. Primary clinical endpoints (stroke, myocardial infarction, or death) and secondary endpoints (hemodynamic depression (HD) - hypotension (<90 mmHg) or bradycardia (<60 bpm) and hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) were evaluated. All sbCAS were technically successful, and a reduction of stenosis was noted in each case. There were two periprocedural neurological complications, one transient ischemic attack (TIA), and one minor stroke with the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) - 3 at discharge. No myocardial infarction (MI) or death during hospitalization was noted. 28 patients (71.8%) had HD, and 2 (5.1%) had HPS. All patients except those with periprocedural stroke were discharged or transferred to another hospital without neurological deterioration. sbCAS is an effective and relatively safe procedure for carefully selected patients with bilateral carotid stenosis. Patients with bilateral carotid stenosis should be carefully examined, and the best treatment strategy should be assessed using a multidisciplinary approach taking into account the possibility of sbCAS.