ABSTRACT
Background: Lipoxin A4 is a potent anti- inflammatory and serval lipoxin forming multicellular interactions occur during strenuous exercise
Aim of the study: To evaluate diagnostic value of lipoxin A4 as a biomaker of exercise induced asthma
Subjects and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on forty- five asthmatic children divided in two groups ; EIA group: 25 children with history of exercise- induced symptoms of asthma confirmed by spirometry, Non EIA group: 20 patients who did not have history of exercise induced symptoms of asthma. Forty- five apparently healthy children were included as a control group with no history of asthma or atopic conditions. Their age and sex were matched with the patients group . For all patients, pulmonary fnction tests were done before and after a free rning test using portable spiromometery . Serum levels of lipoxin A4 were estimated for patients [after exercise] and controls using ELISA
Results: A significant difference was detected between the levels of lipoxin A4 in EIA and control grops [p vale 0.000]. there was significant differece between Non EIA patients ; however, the difference was statistically [p value 0.973]
Conclusion: Lipoxin A4 is a promising anti-inflammaory factor in management of asthma. it correlates with degree of reduction in FEV1in EIA. future pharmaceutical studies should consider lipoxin as a new therapeutic treatment in EIA
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To screen children with influenza like illness or with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections for influenza A virus infection - post swine flu pandemic era - using rapid influenza diagnostic tests.@*METHODS@#During two years (2010 & 2011), 1 200 children with influenza like illness or acute respiratory tract infections (according to World Health Organization criteria) were recruited. Their ages ranged from 2-60 months. Nasopharyngeal aspirates specimens were collected from all children for rapid influenza A diagnostic test.@*RESULTS@#Influenza A virus rapid test was positive in 47.5% of the children; the majority (89.6%) were presented with lower respiratory tract infections. Respiratory rate and temperature were significantly higher among positive rapid influenza test patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Influenza A virus infection is still a major cause of respiratory tract infections in Egyptian children. It should be considered in all cases with cough and febrile episodes and influenza like symptoms even post swine flu pandemic.