Vitamin D status in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease, causing severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. This study aimed at determining the serum vitamin D levels and investigated the association between Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and serum vitamin D levels in children with CCHF. METHODS: A total of 45 children aged between 5 and 15 yr, viz. 15 healthy control (HC) and 30 pediatric patients diagnosed with CCHF with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (patient group) were selected for the study. RESULTS: Analysis of the blood serum samples taken from the said individuals revealed that vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcium levels of the patients and the control groups were statistically different. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: It was found that the serum vitamin D levels of the pediatric patients with CCHF were lower when compared to those of the controls, and that a low vitamin D level could negatively affect the reaction of the body to infections in children having CCHF.

Serum adiponectin, leptin, and interleukin 6 levels as adipocytokines in children with febrile seizures: The role of adipose tissue in febrile seizures.

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines have an important role in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures (FS). Adipocytokines like interleukin 6 (IL-6), leptin, and adiponectin released from adipose tissue play a role in inflammation. This study aimed to assess the probable role of adipose tissue in children with FS. We measured serum IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin levels and evaluated clinical and laboratory findings in children with FS (n = 32) and compared the results with the values of children of the same age with febrile illness without seizures (febrile control, FC; n = 26) and healthy control group (HC; n = 29). The serum levels of white blood cells, C-reactive protein, IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin were found to be significantly higher, while serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels were found to be significantly lower in FS and FC groups than in the HC group (p < 0.001). When we compared the FS with the FC group, the serum Hb levels were significantly lower in the FS group than those in the FC group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the FS and FC group with regard to the serum levels of these adipocytokines (p > 0.05). Our data showed that elevated levels of these adipocytokines as acute phase reactants in FS and FC groups did not contribute to the development of FS.

Evaluation of complement system in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

OBJECTIVES: The complement system participates in the defense of the body against viral infections through various mechanisms. In the present study conducted on children having Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), the aim was to evaluate whether the complement system had a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients diagnosed with CCHF and 32 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum complement component 3 (C3), 4 (C4) and complement product Bb (Bb) levels were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, serum C3 levels were lower and Bb levels were higher in CCHF patients (p < 0.01). Moreover, in the patient group, C3 levels were positively correlated with WBC and PLT counts, and Bb levels were positively correlated with AST, ALT and LDH activities. In the patient group, serum Bb levels were negatively correlated with WBC and PLT counts. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that increased activity of the alternative pathway of the complement system in children with CCHF may have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.