Effect of hepatitis-C viral infection on platelets

This study was conducted on 35 patients with established chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis C. Their ages ranged from 20 to 60 years. A full clinical assessment, ultrasound, complete blond picture including platelet number and functions, liver function tests [SGOT, SGPT, serum albumin, serum bilirubin and prothrombin time and concentration] were applied for every patient. Hepatitis markers for B and C and PCR for HCV and, lastly, liver biopsy were also detected. They were classified into three groups [according to their platelet number]: Group I [12 patients] with platelet count 151-350,000/mm3, group II [13 patients] with platelet count 80-140,000/mm3, and group III [10 patients] with platelet count 25-79,000/mm3. The three groups were statistically compared regarding platelet number, platelet aggregation, liver function tests, histopathological study and correlation between platelet number and aggregation. The results revealed a direct correlation between liver span and platelet number and platelet aggregation. Inverse correlations were noticed between spleen size and portal vein diameter and platelet count and aggregation. Direct correlations were present between platelet number, aggregation and liver function tests [prothrombin time, SGPT, S. Bilirubin, OT/PT ratio and albumin], but there was no correlation with SGOT

Immune complex deposition in some types of nephritis

This study included 42 patients aged 12 to 20 years with nephritis, selected according to certain inclusion criteria to be evaluated histopathologically for determining the intensity of immunoglobulin and complement deposition in the glomeruli, as they have the most important role in glomerular injury and progression of the disease process in nephritis. After thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation of all cases, they were divided into three groups: Lupus nephritis [20 cases], acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis [APSGN] [18 cases] and IgA nephropathy [4 cases]. Renal biopsy have been done for all cases and examined by light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. The results showed that cases of lupus nephritis were subdivided into: Stage II [3 cases], stage III [4 cases], stage IV [11 cases] and stage V [2 cases]. There were various amounts of immune complex and complement depositions in all stages [IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4 and Cql]. Stage lupus nephritis showed the highest intensity of immune complex deposition, specially IgG, IgM and C3. These deposits were more marked and more diffuse than other stages. In APSGN, 16 out of 18 cases showed mesangial deposits of all immune complexes, except Cql. All cases of APSGN showed marked significant deposition of C3 [100%] and C4 [75%]. The least deposited were IgA and IgM [3 and 2 cases, respectively]. All IgA nephropathy patients showed immune deposits in the mesangium and along the capillary wall. IgA was predominantly deposited in all cases [100%] and the second predominant immune complex was C3 [78.6%]. There was a strong correlation between intensity of immune complex deposits detected by IF microscopy and the ultrastructural changes were found on electron microscopy examination. Also, the degree of immune deposition is related to the severity of nephritis and to the pattern of glomerular damage

Changes of serum lipoprotein [LP[a] and other serum lipids with aging and its impact on atherogenesity

It has been shown that serum lipids change with age leading to subsequent increase in atherogenesity. In this context: the current study involved 100 healthy normotensive, non-smokers geriatric subjects [52 male and 48 female] aging 60-70 years [mean age 64 years] with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as revealed by carotid artery ultrasonography. 30 younger age, non obese, average built, non smoker normotensive healthy volunteers [16 male, 14 female] aging 15-25 years [mean age 21 years] were selected as a control group. Both groups were submitted to full clinical examination, ECG, Serum Lipids analysis, Fundoscopic examination and ultrasound imaging with color flow doppler study of the carotid artery. The current study revealed that: 1] A significant elevation of serum Triglycerides [T.G].,Lipoprotein a [LP [a]] and total cholesterol [T.chol.]levels in geriatric males in comparison to their younger age controls. and insignificant rise in [L D L - C] in Geriatric group in comparison to control group. 2] A significant elevation of serum T.G., LP[a], Total cholesterol and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] levels in geriatric females in comparison to their younger age controls. 3] A significant reduction of Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDLC] in geriatric subjects [particularly in females] in comparison to their younger age controls. 4] While there was an insignificant differences in serum lipids between males and females in the control group, there was. a significant elevation of serum total cholesterol and LDL-C level in geriatric females in comparison to geriatric males. 5] Serum LP[a] was very significantly elevated in geriatric males and females in comparison to their younger age control. Elevation of LP[a] was strongly associated with marked hypertriglyceridaemia and low levels of HDL-C. which of these changes represents the greatest risk factor for atherogenesity is yet to be determined by further studies