[Comparison of vitamin A, D and zinc serum levels between children with urinary tract infection and control group in two university hospital]

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common infections in infants and children, especially in their first decade of life. These patients are more susceptible to renal scars and other possible complications like growth retardation, arterial hypertension, proteinuria, isostenuria, and finally chronic renal failure. Trace elements like vitamins and minerals are essential for efficient metabolism and proper function of various body systems namely immune system. In this trial we compared the relation between serum levels of zinc, vitamins A and D in children inflicted with UTI and control group. This was a cross-sectional study on 25 patients with UTI admitted to pediatric wards of Rasul Akram Hospital and Bahrami Hospital. They were compared to 40 other patients admitted in surgical wards for elective surgery. Serum levels of zinc, vitamins A and D were measured in both groups. Seventy two percent of the patients were male and 28% female. The average age was 2.17. Despite the lower levels of vitamins A and D in cases than controls, the difference was not significant [P=0.4 and P=0.9, respectively]. However, serum levels of zinc were significantly lower in cases than controls [P<0.05]. Vitamins A and D may play some role in patients' vulnerability to UTI, but this supposition needs more research on larger samples, considering differences among patients of various age groups and their nutritional status. According to the study, lower levels of zinc were associated with susceptibility to UTI; thence, its administration might be helpful

[Prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in two university hospitals: a brief report]

The incidence and clinical presentation of congenital toxoplasmosis in our newborns was not studied until yet. Goal of study is to evaluates the newborns for congenital Toxoplasma. Gondii infection and describe the clinical presentation from birth and follow up them. We conducted a prospective study upon 270 newborns were born in two university hospitals in Tehran [Rasoul akram and Akbar Abadi] during 2011-2012. Cord blood sample obtained from the newborns during labour. The samples centrifuged, transported and restored in -80 centigrade freezer in our Research Laboratory. Specific T.Gondii- antibodies [IGG, IGM] evaluated by ELISA methods. Neonates with positive T.Gondii- IGM diagnosed and studied as infected cases. The infected cases treated and followed for progression of disease. Gestational age of newborns was between 28-41 weeks. Positive T.Gondii - IGM and T.Gondii -IGG determined in 1.5%, 44.1% of cases respectively. The most common clinical presentation in seropositive cases was eye involvement [50%], and brain disorders [50%]. Positive PCR had not found in cerebrospinal fluids of seropositive [IgM] cases. One and a half percent of newborns were seropositive for T.Gondii. Wide variation of clinical presentation and early diagnosis of infected newborns in our country is so important. Adding the serologic tests [IGM] to neonatal screening test is recommended strongly.

[Streptococcus super antigen in polyp tissue of patients with nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis in comparison to normal population]

Nasal polyp [NP] is a benign mucosal mass located in both sinuses and nares which is mostly seen in association with cystic fibrosis, asthma or oversensitivity to aspirin. The prominent histological feature of NP is inflammatory cell infiltration with eosinophil predominance. Superantigens role in causing NP complications is already proven. Superantigens, which are mostly originated from Streptococci and Staphylococci, activate T cells strongly and increase the process of production and release of cytokines, and secretion of IgE from B cells, which in turn directly affects proinflammatory cells such as eosinophils, both in their tissues infiltration and functions. The samples are collected from patients referring to ENT clinic in Rasoul Akram training Hospital in Tehran after thorough clinical and paraclinical examinations. For control group the samples collected from patients undergoing rhinoplasty. All the samples kept frozen and sent to immunology lab. The DNA of the excised tissues extracted and amplified by using the superantigens specific primers and PCR product detected by gel electrophoresis. The date analyzed by using mean and SD and CHI[2] analytical tools. Fifteen healthy individuals, 25 patients with rhinosinusitis and 24 with polyposis entered this trial. Group A Streptococcus toxin detection was significantly more frequent in those with nasal polyp and rhinosinusitis compared to healthy individuals [P=0.001 and 0.005, respectively], but the results were almost the same for those with nasal polyp and rhinosinusitis [P=0.4]. Streptococci may play an important role in induction or clinical exacerbation of polyposis and group A Streptococcus pyogenes exotoxin [SPEs] with superantigenic effects may have a crucial role in etiology and pathogenesis of polyps with or without rhinosinusitis. It is postulated that, T cells polyclonal activation by SPEs may cause recruitment of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa. These inflammatory cells include IgE producing B cells leading to allergic and inflammatory reactions in NP.

[Inflammatory cytokine detection in adenotonsill and peripheral blood mononuclear cells-culture in adenotonsillectomy patients: a comparative study]

Tonsils and adenoid hypertrophy is a major respiratory symptom in children which is partly due to recruitment of inflammatory cells in upper airway lymph nodes as a result of the effects of synthesis and release of different inflammatory cytokines. It seems that infections play role in concert with these cytokines leading to tonsilar hypertrophy and other pathologic consequences. It is proposed that cellular infiltrate of tonsils and adenoids may secrete different quantities of these cytokines compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] cultures. Among patients who were admitted for adenotonsillectomy to the ENT ward, 37 patients, under 1-12 years old patients with fulfill criteria selected to include the study. Excised adenoid and tonsils cultured and inflammatory cytokines Interferon-gamma [INF-gamma], Interlukine-1 [IL-1], IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] measured in cellular culture supernatant. The same cytokines measured in PBMC cultures. The data shows that there is a significant difference between IFN-gamma and IL-8 amounts in adenoid tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture of our patients. Furthermore, the amounts of IFN-gamma, IL-1 and IL-8 showed considerable difference between tonsilar tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture of these patients. Although there is a significant correlation between IL-6 amounts in tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture [P=0.02], the respective data for TNF is only almost significant. Inflammatory cytokines may have significant role in the early provoke of inflammation occurred in hypertrophied tonsils and adenoid. The majority of these cytokines increase the expression of adhesion molecules on epithelial cells and influence the recruitment of leucocytes and inflamed tonsils. On the other hand lack of sufficient cytokine release may lead to persistent infections and may cause chronic inflammation and hypertrophied tissue