Alphafetoprotein in screening for congenital hypothyroidism

This study was conducted on 500 full-term neonates and 25 older patients with congenital hypothyroidism [CH], newly or previously diagnosed. Alphafetoprotein [AFP] was elevated in two neonates. In one, persistent elevation of AFP and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] with low thyroxine [T4] were found [congenital hypothyroidism]. In the other, AFP, TSH and T4 levels normalized [transient hypothyroidism]. The mean AFP level in new CH patients was significantly higher than in previously diagnosed patients, and was higher in CH patients than in controls. Significant relationships were found between AFP and T4, AFP and TSH, and AFP and age. AFP is a sensitive indicator of thyroid status and can be used as a screening test for hypothyroidism from the first day of life and in follow-up of CH patients

Anticardiolipin antibodies, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus

29 patients with SLE [27 females and 2 males], mean age [26.5 years]. 11 of these patients had autoimmune hemolytic anemia [AIHA] and 18 SLE patients without AIHA [control patients]. Anticardiolipin [ACL] antibodies IgG and IgM levels were measured by ELISA. Elevated IgM ACL antibodies were seen in 7 [63.6%] of 11 patients with AIHA and 2 [11.1%] of 18 control SLE patients [P <0.01]. There was no significant difference in IgG ACL antibodies levels between the two groups. Thrombocytopenia was present in 7 [63.6%] of 11 patients with AIHA and 4 [22.2%] of 18 control SLE patients [P <0.05]. Elevated IgG ACL antibodies were found in 3 [75%] of 4 control SLE patients with thrombocytopenia, [P <0.05] while IgM ACL antibodies were not detected in these patients. It was concluded that in patients with SLE and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, there is a high prevalence of both thrombocytopenia and IgM ACL antibodies which may act as anti- erythrocyte autoantibodies. Also, there is an association between IgG ACL antibodies and presence of thrombocytopenia in SLE. These antibodies may play a direct role in mediating platelet destruction

primary antiphospholipid syndrome, clinical and serological study

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and serological features in a series of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome [PAPS]. 12 patients were reported. The antiphospholipid antibodies were determined with the following techniques: IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies by ELISA, lupus anticoagulant by Exner test. The results showed that the mean age of the patients was 32.5 years with a female/male ratio of 2: 1. The most frequently observed clinical manifestations were deep venous thrombosis [DVTs], 6 patients [50%]. Arterial occlusions were less frequent, 4 patients [33%], recurrent fetal losses in 4 patients [33%]. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 5 patients [42%], antinuclear antibodies in 3 patients [25%]. Antiphospholipid antibody study demonstrated the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies in 10 patients [83%], lupus anticoagulant in 4 patients [33%]. It was concluded that the primary antiphospholipid syndrome may exist as a distinct clinical entity and all younger patients presenting with thrombotic events, fetal losses and/or thrombocytopenia without evidence of a well defined disease, should be tested for antiphospholipid antibodies in order to rule out this syndrome

value of electron microscopy in the study of sperm morphology in asthenospermia patients

Electron microscopic examination of 25 semen samples of asthenospermic patients was done. A wide variety of fine structural defects were observed in the majority of sperm tails in addition to head anomalies. Electron microscopy [EMy] demonstrated a great percentage of spermatozoal abnormalities [80 percent] when compared to those detected by the ordinary light microscope [50 percent]. Most of the sperm tails are abnormal and showed multiple defects including: confused arrangement of axoneme, extra coarse fiber, displaced or missing central pair and/or supernumerary doublets of axoneme. The result accentuates EMy as a greatly necessary tools in evaluating the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in male infertility