ABSTRACT
Aim: Both Cathelicidin and Chemerin are chemo-attractant proteins and possess antimicrobial activity. Sufficient level of Vitamin D is important for optimum response of Cathelicidin for its antimycobacterial activity. Studies on the role of these antimicrobial peptides and their relationship with Vitamin D level are limited in tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to investigate an association of Vitamin D with antimicrobial peptide (Cathelicidin) and an adipokine (Chemerin) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: In a case control study we estimated level of Vitamin D, Chemerin, Cathelicidin and TNF α in pulmonary TB patients (n=22) and healthy endemic controls (n=17) using sandwich ELISA methodology. The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Karachi during 2011. Results: TB group had higher proportion of subjects above median level of Cathelicidin (median test; p=0.034) and fewer number of subjects with Chemerin (median test; p=0.001). Pairwise comparison also showed significant differences between average ranks of Vitamin D vs. Cathelicidin (p<0.0001), Chemerin vs. Cathelicidin (p=0.04) and Vitamin D vs. TNFα (p<0.0001). Cathelicidin was identified as most discriminatory marker between TB disease and healthy group (ROC, AUC 0.780; p=0.007). Conclusion: Our results highlight the role of Cathelicidin as a potential biomarker of active TB disease. The role of Cathelicidin and Chemerin as plausible biomarkers requires further studies in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions.
ABSTRACT
Ocular myiasis due to Oestrus ovis larvae infestation is an eye infection in humans. A case of ophthalmomyiasis externa in a young male from Karachi, Pakistan in winter (December 2012), without history of close proximity to domestic animals or visit to any rural area was reported. The condition is self-limiting and the disease is confined to the conjunctiva. The eye was locally anesthetized and washed with 5% povidine iodine solution. A total number of 27 first instar larvae of Oestrus ovis were removed with fine forceps. The patient received 0.5% moxifloxacin and diclofenac eye drops for one week. His eye was examined after one day, one week and one month and the recovery status was favorable. The present case raise the awareness among ophthalmologists regarding larval conjunctivitis as one of the causes of conjunctivitis and it can occur throughout the year in any season including winter. Moreover, it can occurr in any area either rural or urban with or without close proximity to domestic animals especially in subtropical regions with high parasitic burden.