Serum immunoglobulin levels in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients with major beta-thalassemia

Thalassemia is a common disease in many countries, in which several complications such as infections can occur. Although aberration in the function of the immune system could be a reason for such complication, a little is known about the status of humoral immune system in major beta thalassemia. In this study we measured serum immunoglobulins level in a group of patients with major beta thalassemia. Ninety nine patients with major beta thalassemia were enrolled in this study divided into two groups of splenctomized and not splenctomized patients. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels of these patients were measured and analyzed. Serum mean levels of IgG and IgM in patients of all ages in both groups were normal. The mean serum IgA level in the group of not splenectomized patients aged less than five years as well as in the splenectomized patients aged more than twenty years was increased. However, it was normal in other age groups. Although this study could not show any defect in the humoral immune system, evaluation of immunoglobulins could be useful to understand the relmarkable high rate of infection in the patients with major beta thalassemia

[Prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with menstrual headaches in students]

Headache is a common complaint in women of reproductive age, and sometimes occurs only during menstruation. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and characteristics of headaches associated with menstruation in university students. Nine-hundred and four women university students were selected through multistage random sampling. Headaches starting 2 days before menstruation and continuing till the end of the menstrual periods were defined as headaches associated with menstruation. The prevalence and severity of menstrual headaches and associated clinical manifestations were recorded. Mean age of participants was 21 +/- 3.5 years. Prevalence of menstrual headaches was 14.2 percent, 79.7 percent had moderate to severe headaches that caused disruption of daily activities in 4.8% of individuals. Associated symptoms included: irritability, nausea, pulsatile headache, photophobia, increased sensitivity to sounds and loss of appetite. A strong association was found between menstrual headache and the following factors: amount of menstrual hemorrhage, painful menstruation and its severity, PMS and the presence of menstrual headaches in sisters and mothers of the participants, [p<0.05]. Females with BMI higher than normal were more prone to menstrual headaches. The high prevalence of menstrual headaches underscores the need for effective intervention

Case Report: Churg-Strauss Syndrome in an 8-year-old girl

Churg-Strauss Syndrome [CSS] is a small vessel granulomatous vasculitis that characteristically affects the middle age group and is extremely rare in children. We describe an 8-year-old girl with a prolonged history of cough and eosinophila that initially was labelled as pulmonary tuberculosis, but after complementary assays, associated with skin biopsy, eosinophilic fibrinoid vasculitis, CSS was eventually diagnosed. In this case, due to her young age and more prevalence of infectious lung diseases in our area, there was a few months delay for correct diagnosis and treatment. After meeting the CSS criteria the appropriate treatment was started and her condition improved