Correlation of thyroid antibodies with TSH, T[3] and T[4] hormones in patients diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disorders

The serum concentrations of anti-thyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and anti-thyroglobulin [anti-TG] antibodies are directly correlate in the induction and diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disorders [AITDs]. Therefore, the evaluation of serum anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies in relation to thyroid function test parameters including thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], triiodothyronine [T[3]], and thyroxine [T[4]]. This evaluation would be helpful in early diagnosis of abnormal thyroid function and associated autoimmune thyroid diseases. In this cross-sectional study, the serum anti- TPO, anti-TG, T[3], T[4] and TSH levels of 311 suspected patients of autoimmune thyroid disorders and 40 control subjects were evaluated. The data were presented as mean, +/- standard deviations of the mean. Pearson correlation and chi-square tests were used to assess the correlation coefficients and significance in the contingency tables. The thyroid function test parameters in normal and AITDs suspected patients were significantly different in correlation to elevated serum levels of anti-TPO antibody. A significant association was detected between female gender and elevated levels of anti-TPO [P value = 0.047]. A higher percentage of women showed elevated levels of anti-TG, but it was not statistically significant [P value= 0.107]. The findings of the study reveal a strong correlation between thyroid function test and thyroid antibodies levels, elaborating the clinical importance of thyroid antibodies in clinical examination and follow-up of patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders

Tumour-like presentation of central nervous system tuberculosis: a retrospective study in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To differentiate the tumour-like presentation of central nervous system [CNS] tuberculosis [TB] from CNS tumours. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all cases of CNS TB seen at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, between January 2002 and January 2012. No symptoms or signs of pulmonary or systemic TB were found. Of the 125 patients with CNS TB, 9 [7.2%] presented with clinical and radiological features suggestive of a brain tumour. A diagnosis of tuberculoma was established either intraoperatively in frozen sections [three patients] or postoperatively when the masses were resected [six patients]. After surgery, seven patients recovered after receiving anti-TB treatment; one patient died, and another developed a severe neurological deficit. CNS TB is a great mimicker of brain tumours, and the index of suspicion should be high, especially in endemic areas. A diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and the results of investigations. In patients with CNS TB that present with a mass lesion, a biopsy should be taken to avoid morbidity and mortality from an unnecessary surgical intervention. Greater use should be made of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the evaluation of brain space-occupying lesions, and CNS TB should be included in the differential diagnosis of such lesions in all areas endemic for TB. The absence of constitutional or pulmonary symptoms of TB is deceiving. More nationwide epidemiological studies are needed to establish guidelines for early detection and successful outcomes of this rising health problem

Cervical gouty myelopathy in two cases at King Abdulaziz medical city

Gout is a rheumatological disorder found exclusively in human species. It is caused by deposition of crystals of monosodium urate in joints, cartilages, tendons, and soft tissues. Involvement of the spine, however, is rare. In this report, we describe two patients presented to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah with clinical features of cervical myelopathy, including neck pain, L'hermitte phenomena, quadriparesis and sensory deficit [shoulder level]. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of cervical cord compression with intrinsic cord signal abnormalities. Both patients had laminectomy and intraoperatively; severe canal stenosis was identified. A whitish cheesy material was noticed causing significant root compression. The pathology was diagnostic of gout. In this article, we present two difficult cases with interesting clinical, radiological and pathological findings. We emphasize on the importance of early diagnosis to prevent morbidity

Prevalence of wheat allergy in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Wheat allergy has been suggested to represent an important allergic disease. This study collates clinical and laboratory aspects in patients with wheat allergy in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia. Total and specific IgE were measured in 15 suspected cases of wheat allergy. Protein allergenicity was assessed with Western blotting. Significant elevation of total and specific IgE was found in 4 cases. Basophlia was also demonstrated on blood film. Western blotting results showed 2 bands [83 and 40 kDa]. Wheat allergy must also be considered when planning treatment of asthma and eczema of adult patients

Animal allergy among husbandry personnel in Riyadh

The importance of specific animal allergy in immuno-pathology of asthma and atopic diseases remained to be defined. We measured total and specific IgE. Western blotting of some allergens was also characterised. There was a significant elevation of IgE in 3 persons among 15 samples collected. Western blotting showed common husbandry allergens from 3 sources that have common allergenicity. Exposure to animal products exacerbates allergic asthma in adults, suggesting that preventive measures should be taken to reduce their sensitivity

Association and preferential transmission of the CCR2V64I polymorphism with absence of asthma in high-risk families

To explore a possible association between the major functional CCR2V64I polymorphism and asthma and related phenotypes independent of atopy. We conducted this study in the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, University of Aberdeen Medical School, United Kingdom from September 2004 to December 2006. One hundred and fifty-four unrelated nuclear families [598 individuals including children and parents] were identified from the local Grampian population. The major functional polymorphism CCR2V64I was analyzed for associations with asthma, lung function [forced expiratory volume% [FEV1%] of predicted], bronchial hyperresponsiveness [BHR] to methacholine, total serum-immunoglobulin E [s-IgE] and allergic sensitization [positive skin prick test to common allergens] in 154 asthmatic families. Pedigree disequilibrium test and case control analyses showed that the CCR2V64I polymorphism was significantly associated with the absence of asthma FEV1%, predicted above the population median of 83%, but not with s-IgE levels or specific sensitization. We identified associations between the V-64I CCR2 polymorphism and protection against asthma, higher FEV1, and absence of BHR in families at high risk of asthma and atopy, suggesting an important role for the CCR2 receptor in modulating airway inflammation independent of atopy