Diagnostic application of smooth muscle antibodies in autoimmune hepatitis

To measure the level of C-reactive protein and find its association with the glycaemic status [fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin] of metabolically normal and diabetic albino rats. Total 60 Albino rats were included [normal n=30; diabetic n=30]. Plasma glucose levels were determined by using glucose oxidase method while determination of total Hb and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA[1]c] was done by diagnostic kit that uses weak cation-exchange resin to bind Hb. The% HbA[1]c was determined by measuring the absorbance at 415 nm of the glycosylated hemoglobin fraction and the total hemoglobin fraction. The ratio of the two absorbances gave the% of HbA[1]c. C-reactive protein was measured by the ELISA kit. Significant difference was found in the values of fasting glucose, of the normal and diabetic groups [p<0.05] but no significant difference was present in the values of HbA[1]c of both groups. There was no significant difference in the values of C-reactive protein of the normal and diabetic groups. Short duration hyperglycemia has no role in producing inflammation and raising the levels of bioinflammatory marker C-reactive protein

CD5-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

CD5-positive B-ALL is a rare variant of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukenia [ALL]. In literature, only three cases have been reported so far. This fourth case report describes a young lady who was diagnosed as ALL [L-2] ib bibe marrow examination and was found to be CD5 positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on immunophenotyping. Cytogenetic analysis revealed translocation t[9:22]

Suppression of humoral immune response due to psychological stress in survivors of large scale natural disaster

To study the impact of psychological stress following a natural disaster on specific immunological parameters. The study was carried out over a 3 month period [Feb 2006 to May 2006] at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Physically uninjured male adults between 15-60 years of age, with no prior history of an active physical or psychological disorder, who witnessed the earthquake on 8[th] Oct, 2005 in Pakistan but escaped physical injury, were included in the study. Age and gender matched healthy adults were also studied as control group. Analysis of haemoglobin, total leucocyte count, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte subsets, IgG, IgA, IgM levels, C reactive protein and nitrobluetetrazolium [NBT] dye reduction test was carried out on both the groups. Psychologically distressed individuals had increased CD 3+ cells [p=0.02], increased CD4:CD8 ration [p=0.04], reduced CD19+ cells count [p=0.03] and IgG levels [p=0.01]. Neutrophil oxidative burst activity without stimulation was increased [p=0.02]. Psychological stress consequent to exposure to a natural disaster can suppress humoral immune response