ABSTRACT
Introduction: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] is a frequent and life threatening complication ofcirrhosis. Several large studies have identified additional risk factors for the development ofSBP. Zinc deficiency has been found to be frequent in cirrhotic patients
Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency, possible risk factors and the roleof zinc in the development of first time and recurrent SBP
Methodology:A total of 176 cirrhotic ascetic patients admitted to the Hepatology Department in Sohag University Hospital were enroled in the study. SBP peritonitis was diagnosed throughhistory?taking and through examination and laboratory investigations, including ascetic fluidstudy and the detection of serum zinc level
Results: Of the 176 cirrhotic patients, SBP was diagnosed in 54 [31%]; in total, 40 patients [23%] had single and 14 [8%] had recurrent episodes of SBP. Out of the 23 studied clinical and laboratory variables, we found that the prolonged use of proton pump inhibitor [PPI][P = 0.001],lower prothrombin concentration [P = 0.03], ascetic protein level less than or equal to1 g/dl [P < 0.0001] and zinc deficiency [P = 0.001] were independent risk factors for the development of SBP in cirrhotic patients; using multivariate analysis, only low protein in ascites less than or equal to 1 and low zinc status were predictors of SBP
Conclusion: In our study, the frequency of SBP was 31%; overall, 23% of the patients had first?episodeand 8% had recurrent SBP. The use of PPI, low platelet count, ascetic protein content andzinc deficiency were the predictors for the development of SBP; only low protein in ascites less than or equal to 1 and low zinc status were independent predictors of SBP
ABSTRACT
Background: Apolipoprotein E [apo E] gene polymorphism was found to be associated with coronary artery disease in several studies. In this investigation, we aimed to study the association between apo E gene polymorphism and acute coronary syndrome in Egyptian population
Subjects and methods: The study included 200 patients with acute coronary syndrome [myocardial infarction and unstable angina], and 100 healthy controls. Anthropometric, clinical and lipid profile parameters were evaluated. Apo E genotyping was carried out using sequence-specific-primer [SSP]-PCR methodology
Results: E3/4 genotype frequency was higher in the patients than in the controls [P < 0.05], while E2/3 genotype frequency was elevated in the controls than in the patients [P < 0.05]. In addition, the frequency of E4 isoform was higher in the patients compared to the controls [P < 0.001]. Patients with E3/4 and E4/4 genotypes had significantly higher total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels than those with E3/3 genotype. No significant differences in apo E genotype distribution were found between myocardial infarction and unstable angina patients
Conclusion: Apo E gene polymorphism had a role in acute coronary syndrome, possibly through affecting plasma lipid parameters