TRAPPC6B biallelic variants cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with TRAPP II and trafficking disruptions.

Highly conserved transport protein particle (TRAPP) complexes regulate subcellular trafficking pathways. Accurate protein trafficking has been increasingly recognized to be critically important for normal development, particularly in the nervous system. Variants in most TRAPP complex subunits have been found to lead to neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse but overlapping phenotypes. We expand on limited prior reports on TRAPPC6B with detailed clinical and neuroradiologic assessments, and studies on mechanisms of disease, and new types of variants. We describe 29 additional patients from 18 independent families with biallelic variants in TRAPPC6B. We identified seven homozygous nonsense (n = 12 patients) and eight canonical splice-site variants (n = 17 patients). In addition, we identified one patient with compound heterozygous splice-site/missense variants with a milder phenotype and one patient with homozygous missense variants. Patients displayed non-progressive microcephaly, global developmental delay/intellectual disability, epilepsy and absent expressive language. Movement disorders including stereotypies, spasticity and dystonia were also observed. Brain imaging revealed reductions in cortex, cerebellum and corpus callosum size with frequent white matter hyperintensity. Volumetric measurements indicated globally diminished volume rather than specific regional losses. We identified a reduced rate of trafficking into the Golgi apparatus and Golgi fragmentation in patient-derived fibroblasts that was rescued by wild-type TRAPPC6B. Molecular studies revealed a weakened interaction between mutant TRAPPC6B (c.454C>T, p.Q152*) and its TRAPP binding partner TRAPPC3. Patient-derived fibroblasts from the TRAPPC6B (c.454C>T, p.Q152*) variant displayed reduced levels of TRAPPC6B as well as other TRAPP II complex-specific members (TRAPPC9 and TRAPPC10). Interestingly, the levels of the TRAPPC6B homologue TRAPPC6A were found to be elevated. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that TRAPPC6A co-precipitates equally with TRAPP II and TRAPP III, while TRAPPC6B co-precipitates significantly more with TRAPP II, suggesting enrichment of the protein in the TRAPP II complex. This implies that variants in TRAPPC6B may preferentially affect TRAPP II functions compared to TRAPP III functions. Finally, we assessed phenotypes in a Drosophila TRAPPC6B-deficiency model. Neuronal TRAPPC6B knockdown impaired locomotion and led to wing posture defects, supporting a role for TRAPPC6B in neuromotor function. Our findings confirm the association of damaging biallelic TRAPPC6B variants with microcephaly, intellectual disability, language impairments, and epilepsy. A subset of patients also exhibited dystonia and/or spasticity with impaired ambulation. These features overlap with disorders arising from pathogenic variants in other TRAPP subunits, particularly components of the TRAPP II complex. These findings suggest that TRAPPC6B is essential for brain development and function, and TRAPP II complex activity may be particularly relevant for mediating this function.

Polyneuritis cranialis as a unique initial presentation of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: Case report.

Cranial neuropathy is a rare presentation in juvenile (j) SLE and being multiple is even rarer. We describe here an adolescent girl presenting with polyneuritis cranialis (PNC) as an initial presentation of SLE which had not been reported before in literature. She presented with symptoms suggestive of bilateral abducent and hypoglossal neuropathy with nerve conduction studies showing partial axonal neuropathy of left facial and accessory nerves, 6 weeks after common cold. The condition was not associated with any other neurological or systemic manifestations nor features of Sjogren's syndrome. Her condition responded well to pulsed methylprednisolone therapy and plasma exchange. After exclusion of the common causes and owing to the initial positive ANA results and mild proteinuria, renal biopsy was taken and revealed histopathological features of class III lupus nephritis for which mycophenolate mofetil was started at 1200 mg per m2. Our case highlights the importance of considering collagen disorders including SLE in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with PNC in order to allow adequate management and proper follow-up.

Genotype-phenotype correlation in contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP-2) developmental disorder.

Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene encodes for CASPR2, a presynaptic type 1 transmembrane protein, involved in cell-cell adhesion and synaptic interactions. Biallelic CNTNAP2 loss has been associated with "Pitt-Hopkins-like syndrome-1" (MIM#610042), while the pathogenic role of heterozygous variants remains controversial. We report 22 novel patients harboring mono- (n = 2) and bi-allelic (n = 20) CNTNAP2 variants and carried out a literature review to characterize the genotype-phenotype correlation. Patients (M:F 14:8) were aged between 3 and 19 years and affected by global developmental delay (GDD) (n = 21), moderate to profound intellectual disability (n = 17) and epilepsy (n = 21). Seizures mainly started in the first two years of life (median 22.5 months). Antiseizure medications were successful in controlling the seizures in about two-thirds of the patients. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or other neuropsychiatric comorbidities were present in nine patients (40.9%). Nonspecific midline brain anomalies were noted in most patients while focal signal abnormalities in the temporal lobes were noted in three subjects. Genotype-phenotype correlation was performed by also including 50 previously published patients (15 mono- and 35 bi-allelic variants). Overall, GDD (p < 0.0001), epilepsy (p < 0.0001), hyporeflexia (p = 0.012), ASD (p = 0.009), language impairment (p = 0.020) and severe cognitive impairment (p = 0.031) were significantly associated with the presence of biallelic versus monoallelic variants. We have defined the main features associated with biallelic CNTNAP2 variants, as severe cognitive impairment, epilepsy and behavioral abnormalities. We propose CASPR2-deficiency neurodevelopmental disorder as an exclusively recessive disease while the contribution of heterozygous variants is less likely to follow an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.

Brain monoamine vesicular transport disease caused by homozygous SLC18A2 variants: A study in 42 affected individuals.

PURPOSE: Brain monoamine vesicular transport disease is an infantile-onset movement disorder that mimics cerebral palsy. In 2013, the homozygous SLC18A2 variant, p.Pro387Leu, was first reported as a cause of this rare disorder, and dopamine agonists were efficient for treating affected individuals from a single large family. To date, only 6 variants have been reported. In this study, we evaluated genotype-phenotype correlations in individuals with biallelic SLC18A2 variants. METHODS: A total of 42 affected individuals with homozygous SLC18A2 variant alleles were identified. We evaluated genotype-phenotype correlations and the missense variants in the affected individuals based on the structural modeling of rat VMAT2 encoded by Slc18a2, with cytoplasm- and lumen-facing conformations. A Caenorhabditis elegans model was created for functional studies. RESULTS: A total of 19 homozygous SLC18A2 variants, including 3 recurrent variants, were identified using exome sequencing. The affected individuals typically showed global developmental delay, hypotonia, dystonia, oculogyric crisis, and autonomic nervous system involvement (temperature dysregulation/sweating, hypersalivation, and gastrointestinal dysmotility). Among the 58 affected individuals described to date, 16 (28%) died before the age of 13 years. Of the 17 patients with p.Pro237His, 9 died, whereas all 14 patients with p.Pro387Leu survived. Although a dopamine agonist mildly improved the disease symptoms in 18 of 21 patients (86%), some affected individuals with p.Ile43Phe and p.Pro387Leu showed milder phenotypes and presented prolonged survival even without treatment. The C. elegans model showed behavioral abnormalities. CONCLUSION: These data expand the phenotypic and genotypic spectra of SLC18A2-related disorders.

TTC5 syndrome: Clinical and molecular spectrum of a severe and recognizable condition.

Biallelic mutations in the TTC5 gene have been associated with autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID) and subsequently with an ID syndrome including severe speech impairment, cerebral atrophy, and hypotonia as clinical cornerstones. A TTC5 role in IDs has been proposed based on the physical interaction of TTC5 with p300, and possibly reducing p300 co-activator complex activity, similarly to what was observed in Menke-Hennekam 1 and 2 patients (MKHK1 and 2) carrying, respectively, mutations in exon 30 and 31 of CREBBP and EP300, which code for the TTC5-binding region. Recently, TTC5-related brain malformation has been linked to tubulinopathies due to the function of TTC5 in tubulins' dynamics. We reported seven new patients with novel or recurrent TTC5 variants. The deep characterization of the molecular and phenotypic spectrum confirmed TTC5-related disorder as a recognizable, very severe neurodevelopmental syndrome. In addition, other relevant clinical aspects, including a severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation, cryptorchidism, and epilepsy, have emerged from the reversal phenotype approach and the review of already published TTC5 cases. Microcephaly and facial dysmorphism resulted in being less variable than that documented before. The TTC5 clinical features have been compared with MKHK1 published cases in the hypothesis that clinical overlap in some characteristics of the two conditions was related to the common p300 molecular pathway.

An integrated multiomic approach as an excellent tool for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases: our first 3720 patients.

To present our experience using a multiomic approach, which integrates genetic and biochemical testing as a first-line diagnostic tool for patients with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). A cohort of 3720 patients from 62 countries was tested using a panel including 206 genes with single nucleotide and copy number variant (SNV/CNV) detection, followed by semi-automatic variant filtering and reflex biochemical testing (25 assays). In 1389 patients (37%), a genetic diagnosis was achieved. Within this cohort, the highest diagnostic yield was obtained for patients from Asia (57.5%, mainly from Pakistan). Overall, 701 pathogenic/likely pathogenic unique SNVs and 40 CNVs were identified. In 620 patients, the result of the biochemical tests guided variant classification and reporting. Top five diagnosed diseases were: Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease type A/B, phenylketonuria, mucopolysaccharidosis type I, and Wilson disease. We show that integrated genetic and biochemical testing facilitated the decision on clinical relevance of the variants and led to a high diagnostic yield (37%), which is comparable to exome/genome sequencing. More importantly, up to 43% of these patients (n = 610) could benefit from medical treatments (e.g., enzyme replacement therapy). This multiomic approach constitutes a unique and highly effective tool for the genetic diagnosis of IMDs.

Biallelic Loss-of-Function NDUFA12 Variants Cause a Wide Phenotypic Spectrum from Leigh/Leigh-Like Syndrome to Isolated Optic Atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Biallelic loss-of-function NDUFA12 variants have hitherto been linked to mitochondrial complex I deficiency presenting with heterogeneous clinical and radiological features in nine cases only. OBJECTIVES: To fully characterize, both phenotypically and genotypically, NDUFA12-related mitochondrial disease. METHODS: We collected data from cases identified by screening genetic databases of several laboratories worldwide and systematically reviewed the literature. RESULTS: Nine unreported NDUFA12 cases from six pedigrees were identified, with presentation ranging from movement disorder phenotypes (dystonia and/or spasticity) to isolated optic atrophy. MRI showed basal ganglia abnormalities (n = 6), optic atrophy (n = 2), or was unremarkable (n = 1). All carried homozygous truncating NDUFA12 variants, three of which are novel. CONCLUSIONS: Our case series expands phenotype-genotype correlations in NDUFA12-associated mitochondrial disease, providing evidence of intra- and inter-familial clinical heterogeneity for the same variant. It confirms NDUFA12 variants should be included in the diagnostic workup of Leigh/Leigh-like syndromes - particularly with dystonia - as well as isolated optic atrophy.

A relatively common homozygous TRAPPC4 splicing variant is associated with an early-infantile neurodegenerative syndrome.

Trafficking protein particle (TRAPP) complexes, which include the TRAPPC4 protein, regulate membrane trafficking between lipid organelles in a process termed vesicular tethering. TRAPPC4 was recently implicated in a recessive neurodevelopmental condition in four unrelated families due to a shared c.454+3A>G splice variant. Here, we report 23 patients from 17 independent families with an early-infantile-onset neurodegenerative presentation, where we also identified the homozygous variant hg38:11:119020256 A>G (NM_016146.5:c.454+3A>G) in TRAPPC4 through exome or genome sequencing. No other clinically relevant TRAPPC4 variants were identified among any of over 10,000 patients with neurodevelopmental conditions. We found the carrier frequency of TRAPPC4 c.454+3A>G was 2.4-5.4 per 10,000 healthy individuals. Affected individuals with the homozygous TRAPPC4 c.454+3A>G variant showed profound psychomotor delay, developmental regression, early-onset epilepsy, microcephaly and progressive spastic tetraplegia. Based upon RNA sequencing, the variant resulted in partial exon 3 skipping and generation of an aberrant transcript owing to use of a downstream cryptic splice donor site, predicting a premature stop codon and nonsense mediated decay. These data confirm the pathogenicity of the TRAPPC4 c.454+3A>G variant, and refine the clinical presentation of TRAPPC4-related encephalopathy.

Clinical, biochemical, neuroradiological and molecular characterization of Egyptian patients with glutaric acidemia type 1.

Glutaric acidemia type 1 (GA1) is an inherited metabolic autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by a deficiency in glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH). Untreated patients suffer primarily from severe striatal damage. More than 250 variants in the GCDH gene have been reported with a variable frequency among different ethnic groups. In this study, we aimed to characterize 89 Egyptian patients with GA1 and identify the variants in the 41 patients who were available for genotyping. All of our patients demonstrated clinical, neuroradiological, and biochemical characteristics that are consistent with a diagnosis of GA1. All patients presented with variable degrees of developmental delay ranging from mild to severe. Most of the 89 patients presented with acute onset type (71.9%), followed by insidious (19%) and asymptomatic (9%). A delay in diagnosis was inversely associated with macrocephaly. The prevalence rate ratio (PR) for macrocephaly that was associated with each 6-month delay was 0.95 (95%CI 0.91-0.99). However, high body weight was associated with a higher likelihood of having macrocephaly (PR 1.16, 95%CI 1.06-1.26 per 1 SD increment of Z score weight). However, body weight was inversely associated with the morbidity score. Consanguinity level was 64% among our patient's cohort and was positively associated with the C5DC level (ß (95%CI) 1.06 (0.12-1.99)). Forty-one patients were available for genotyping and were sequenced for the GCDH gene. We identified a total of 25 variants, of which the following six novel variants were identified: three missense variants, c.320G > T (p.Gly107Val), c.481C > T (p.Arg161Trp) and c.572 T > G (p.Met191Arg); two deletions, c.78delG (p.Ala27Argfs34) and c.1035delG (p.Gly346Alafs*11); and one indel, c.272_331del (p.Val91_Lys111delinsGlu). All of the novel variants were absent in the 300 normal chromosomes. The most common variant, c.*165A > G, was detected in 42 alleles, and the most commonly detected missense variant, c.1204C > T (p.Arg402Trp), was identified in 29 mutated alleles in 15/41 (34.2%) of patients. Our findings suggest that GA1 is not uncommon organic acidemia disease in Egypt; therefore, there is a need for supporting neonatal screening programs in Egypt.

Role of plasma amino acids and urinary organic acids in diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases in children.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic difficulty in mitochondrial diseases (MD) results not only from the wide spectrum of symptoms and signs but also from the absence of a reliable screening or diagnostic biomarker. AIM: To investigate the likelihood of MD in patients with symptoms and signs impressive of MD through quantitative measurement of plasma amino acids, and urinary organic acids. METHODS: Twenty patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of MD were further evaluated by quantitative plasma amino acids and urinary organic acids assay and neuroimaging. RESULTS: Plasma amino acid results revealed elevation of alanine in 11, glycine in five, and proline in two patients. Abnormal urinary organic acid analysis was present in six patients; increased urinary lactate (20%), dicarboxylicaciduria (15%), and urinary ketone bodies (10%). Upon enrollment our patients scored as possible MD according to the MD scoring system. At the end of the study, five patients still scored as possible MD, eight patients as probable MD, and seven patients as definite MD. All patients with definite MD had elevated serum lactate. In three patients, elevated urinary lactate was the only abnormality. Alanine was elevated in all patients with definite MD, whereas proline was elevated in only one. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed atrophic changes in one patient and bilateral basal ganglia hyperintensity in another. CONCLUSION: Urinary organic acids and quantitative plasma amino acids can help in the diagnosis of MD, especially when the economic burden and absence of specialized centers limits the diagnosis.

Hepatocerebral form of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome due to mutation in MPV17 gene.

Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (MDSs) are autosomal recessive diseases characterized by a severe decrease in mitochondrial DNA content leading to dysfunction of the affected organ. Autosomal recessive mutations in MPV17 have been identified in the hepatocerebral form of MDS. We describe the clinical features, biochemical and molecular results of a Saudi infant with a new mutation of MPV17 and compared the features to those of previously reported cases. We stress the importance of such rare cases particularly in countries with high consanguineous marriage rate.

Inherited thrombophilia in pediatric ischemic stroke: an Egyptian study.

Pediatric stroke is relatively uncommon, with often subtle clinical presentations. Numerous predisposing risk factors can be both inherited and acquired, including cardiac disease, vascular abnormalities, infectious diseases, collagen tissue diseases, inborn errors of metabolism, anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, deficiencies of protein C, protein S, antithrombin, or plasminogen, and prothrombotic mutations. We explored risk factors, clinical features, and neuroimaging among Egyptian children with ischemic stroke, and estimated the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia. We included 20 children with ischemic stroke, recruited from the Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic (Ain Shams University). Basic clinical evaluations for stroke and genotyping for factor V 1691 G-A (factor V Leiden), prothrombin 20210 G-A mutations, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C-T polymorphisms were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction, with fluorescent melting curve detection analysis. Ten patients (50%) manifested methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms (six homozygotes and four heterozygotes). Heterozygous factor V Leiden was present in five (25%), whereas prothrombin mutation was present in only one (5%). Five patients (25%) manifested combined prothrombotic abnormalities. Thirteen demonstrated evidence of inherited thrombophilic disorder; 25% manifested more than one mutation. For appropriate risk assessment, even in the presence of overt acquired thrombotic risk factors, physicians should request complete thrombophilia screening for patients with stroke.

Melatonin and sleep-related problems in children with intractable epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy have high rates of sleep problems. Melatonin has been advocated in treatment of sleep disorders, and its beneficial effect has been confirmed in insomnia. The aim of this study was to assess melatonin levels in children with intractable epilepsy and its relation to pattern of sleep and characteristics of seizure disorder, as well as the effect of melatonin therapy on those parameters. The study was conducted on 23 children with intractable epilepsy and 14 children with controlled seizures. Patients were evaluated by psychometric sleep assessment and assay of diurnal and nocturnal melatonin levels. Children with intractable epilepsy received oral melatonin before bedtime. They were reassessed after 3 months. Children with intractable epilepsy had higher scores for each category of sleep walking, forcible teeth grinding, and sleep apnea. At the end of therapeutic trial, patients with intractable epilepsy exhibited significant improvement in bedtime resistance, sleep duration, sleep latency, frequent nocturnal arousals, sleep walking, excessive daytime sleepiness, nocturnal enuresis, forcible teeth grinding, sleep apnea, and Epworth sleepiness scores. There was also significant reduction in seizure severity. Thus, use of melatonin in patients with intractable seizures was associated with improvement of both many sleep-related phenomena and the severity of seizures.

Growth hormone levels in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with epilepsy often complain of symptoms that may be caused by disturbances in their hormonal balance. Disturbances in physical growth has been previously described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of epilepsy and/or anti-epileptic drugs on the physical growth of patients with idiopathic epilepsy, as well as on the growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) status in those patients. METHODS: The study comprised 40 children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy on either valproate or carbamazepine. Anthropometric measurements [occipitofrontal circumference, weight, height, body mass index, span, and midarm circumference] were taken. Serum levels of GH before and after provocation with L-dopa and of IGF-1 were assessed. Results were compared to a matched control group. RESULTS: The height measurements were reduced in patients with epilepsy compared to the controls group. Though weight values were not significantly different, the body mass indices of the patients were significantly higher than controls, especially in patients on valproate therapy. Basal GH levels showed no significantly variation between patients and controls. However, post provocation GH and IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in patients. The type of epilepsy, disease duration, and the degree of seizure control had no significant effect on the studied parameters. In conclusion, physical growth seems to be affected in patients with epilepsy. This may be due to hormonal imbalance as evident by reduced post provocation GH levels and IGF-1 levels in the included group of patients.

Infantile spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1: a case report.

The condition, currently known as spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1, is an unusual variant of spinal muscular atrophy type 1 that is characterized by early respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic paralysis. The defective gene, the immunoglobulin mu-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2 gene), of this autosomal recessive disorder is located on chromosome 11q13 and encodes immunoglobulin mu-binding protein 2. The natural history and phenotypic spectrum of the disease are still not clear. The authors present the first genetically proven case of spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 to be reported from Saudi Arabia. The parents are first cousins and the causative gene sequencing revealed mutation in exon 7 reported for the first time in a homozygous form. The clinical scenario of the case is discussed. The findings in the muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are presented.

Anthropometry and body composition analysis in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study was undertaken to describe anthropometry, body composition parameters and assess serum levels of leptin and other biochemical markers of the nutritional status in a sample of Egyptian children with cerebral palsy(CP). METHODS: Anthropometric measurements (body weight, knee height, head, mid-upper arm, waist and hip circumferences, triceps and subscapular skin-fold thickness) were taken. Using the bioelectrical impedance technique, total body water(TBW), fat-free mass, fat mass, fat percentage and basal metabolic rate(BMR) were calculated. Serum levels of total proteins, albumin, ferritin and leptin were measured. Results were compared to that of healthy controls. RESULTS: Patients had significantly lower anthropometric measurements than controls, except for mid-upper arm and hip circumferences, and subscapular skin-fold thickness which were not different in both groups. Fat mass, fat free mass, fat percentage, TBW and BMR were lower in the patients. Serum protein and leptin levels were not different in patients and controls, though other biochemical markers were reduced in the patients. Patients with more severe motor handicap had lower skin-fold thickness, fat percentage and serum ferritin than those with milder affection. CONCLUSION: Parameters of growth, body composition analysis and nutritional status are significantly altered in CP patients especially those with severe motor handicap and oromotor dysfunction.

Lead exposure and its association with pubertal development in school-age Egyptian children: pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine blood lead levels in a group of Egyptian school-age children and assess its relationship to pubertal development. METHODS: Forty-one children were recruited from high- and low-pollution areas in Cairo, Egypt. Sexual maturation was evaluated using Tanner score. Measurements of blood lead and serum levels of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol in girls and testosterone in boys were performed for included subjects. RESULTS: A total of 51.2% of children had high blood lead levels (>or=10 microg/dL). Boys with high lead levels had delayed pubertal maturation compared to those with low lead levels. Breast staging of sexual maturation was significantly delayed in girls with high lead levels. FSH and LH were significantly reduced in children of both sexes, and testosterone levels were reduced in boys with high lead. CONCLUSION: These findings consolidate the cumulative medical evidence of the deleterious effect of high lead levels on pubertal development, possibly through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Autoantibody to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-A2 (RA33) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Objective biomarkers are needed for early diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Anti-A33 antibodies are considered good markers for adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little information is available on their occurrence in JIA. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the value of anti-RA33 for diagnosis of JIA (both early and established disease), and its relation to markers of disease activity, and bone resorption. SUBJECTS: This case-control study was conducted on 34 children with JIA. Ten patients with arthritis of short duration (<6 weeks) were included, as undifferentiated arthritis. Forty-four age- and sex- matched healthy children served as controls. Beside evaluation and assessment of disease activity, urinary calcium, serum parathyroid hormone and serum anti-RA33 were measured in included subjects. Joints were examined radiologically and modified Larsen index (LI) was estimated. RESULTS: During follow up, eight of the patients with undifferentiated arthritis were diagnosed as having early JIA. Patients with JIA (early and established cases) had higher anti-RA33 levels than the control group (z = 6.04, 3.95, respectively). A total of 66.7% of the patients were positive for anti-RA33, results were comparable in early and established cases. Anti-RA33 values were correlated to disease activity (clinical and laboratory), to laboratory markers (urinary calcium, parathyroid hormone levels) and radiological evidence (LI) of bone resorption (r = 0.95, 0.63, 0.94, respectively). CONCLUSION: Anti-RA33 is detected in two-thirds of JIA patients and occurs with comparable frequency early in the disease. Its levels are correlated to disease activity and markers of bone resorption and it seems to convey diagnostic and prognostic insights for appropriate management.

Lipid profile, apolipoproteins A and B in children with epilepsy.

In this study, lipid profile was assessed, and the intimal wall thickness of both carotid arteries in children with idiopathic epilepsy was measured. The study comprised 22 children with idiopathic epilepsy on either carbamazepine or valproate. A profile including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, apolipoproteins AI and B, and Duplex estimation of intimal wall thickness of carotid arteries were performed. Patients on carbamazepine showed increase in total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and decrease in apolipoprotein AI levels compared with controls. Levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and apolipoprotein AI were reduced in patients receiving valproate compared with controls, whereas total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and apolipoprotein AI were reduced compared with those receiving carbamazepine. Carotid arteries intimal wall thickness was not significantly changed in any of the studied groups. Although atherogenic ratios are not changed, the lowered apolipoprotein AI levels may suggest an increased risk for coronary heart disease.

Serum concentrations of CCR4 ligands in relation to clinical severity of atopic dermatitis in Egyptian children.

T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes, the key effector cells in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), express CCR4 receptors. CCR4 ligands (macrophage-derived chemokine 'MDC' and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine 'TARC') direct trafficking and recruitment of Th2 cells into lesional skin in AD. These chemokines appear to be useful inflammatory markers for assessing severity of AD in adults. However, the same results have not been replicated in children. Therefore, we were stimulated to elucidate the expression of CCR4 ligands in children with AD and their relation to clinical disease severity. To investigate this, serum concentrations of CCR4 ligands were determined in 60 children, of whom 30 had AD and 30 were healthy matched subjects. Patients were classified into mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 12) and severe (n = 10) according to the objective scoring AD (obj-SCORAD) index. Serum concentrations of MDC and TARC were significantly increased in children with AD (2697 +/- 982.6 pg/ml and 945.5 +/- 494.7 pg/ml, respectively) compared with controls (357.2 +/- 233.2 pg/ml and 214.2 +/- 116.6 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.0001). Serum levels of both chemokines went hand in hand with disease severity as they were significantly higher in severe than moderate and in moderate than mild AD. In addition, they correlated positively with obj-SCORAD (r = 0.99 for both, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, both chemokines had significant positive correlations to blood eosinophil counts and serum immunoglobulin E. In conclusion, serum CCR4 ligands may be useful inflammatory markers for assessing AD severity in children. Further studies may pave way for CCR4 ligands antagonism among the adjuvant therapeutic strategies of AD.