Interleukin-1B (IL-1B-31 and IL-1B-511) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene polymorphisms in primary immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disease caused by autoantibodies against platelets membrane glycoproteins GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX. The etiology of ITP remains unclear. This study evaluated the association of polymorphisms in interleukin (IL)-1B-31, IL-1B-511, and IL-1Ra with ITP. METHODS: Genotyping of IL-1B-31, IL-1B-511, and IL-1Ra was performed in 118 ITP patients and 100 controls by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and detection of variable number tandem repeats. RESULTS: Genotype differences in IL-1B-31 and IL-1Ra were significantly associated with ITP. Patients showed a higher frequency of the IL-1B-31 variant allele (T) and a 1.52-fold greater risk of susceptibility to ITP (odds ratio [OR]=1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04–2.22, P=0.034). The frequencies of both homozygous and heterozygous variant genotypes of IL-1B-31 were higher (OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.069–5.09, P=0.033 and OR=2.044, 95% CI=1.068–39, P=0.034) among patients and were significantly associated with ITP susceptibility. Both homozygous and heterozygous variant genotypes of IL-1Ra were also more frequent (OR=4.48, 95% CI=1.17–17.05, P=0.0230 and OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.03–3.14, P=0.0494) among patients and were associated with ITP risk. IL-1B-31 and IL-1Ra also showed significant association with severe ITP. However, IL-1B-511 was not associated with ITP. CONCLUSION: IL-1B-31 and IL-1Ra polymorphisms may significantly impact ITP risk, and they could be associated with disease severity, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of ITP.

Role of clonidine in perioperative acute atrial fibrillation

We report a case of acute onset atrial fibrillation [AF] that presented for emergency surgery where rate control and sinus rhythm were successfully achieved using clonidine. Patient had acute AF with high blood pressure. Metoprolol failed to decrease the ventricular rate and blood pressure but with clonidine, we could achieve both the goals. Also, rhythm reverted to a sinus rhythm and continued to be in sinus rhythm after administering clonidine

Risk profile of pregnant mothers in the coastal area of Udupi Taluk, India

A demographic and obstetric profile of pregnant mothers attending the Rural Maternity and Child Welfare homes was carried out through a cross- sectional study. In 613 registered pregnant mothers, the prevalence of risk factors related to age of the mother, parity, weight, haemoglobin level and Rh negative blood group, bad obstetric history and pregnancy related diseases were analysed. Prevalence of teenage pregnancy and primigravida accounted for 7 and 34.7 percent respectively. Nearly 17 percent of mothers had weight less than 40 kg and 28 percent of mothers were found to be anaemic [HB less than 8 gm%]. Twenty percent of the mothers did not have even a single risk factor whereas 33.8 percent of mothers had at least one risk factor and 20 percent had multiple risk factors of 3 or more. Previous bad obstetric history, pregnancy related diseases and Rh negative blood group accounted for 9.2, 3.9 and 2.7 percent respectively