Raised plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for idiopathic and recurrent deep-vein thrombosis

Previous studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinemia [Hyper-Hcy] may be a risk factor for venous thrombosis. To assess the risk of venous thrombosis-associated with Hyper-Hcy, we studied plasma total homocysteine [tHcy] levels in patients with deep venous thrombosis and in normal control subjects. Fasting tHcy levels were measured in 40 consecutive patients with objectively diagnosed deep venous thrombosis and in 20 healthy controls matched to the patients according to age and sex. Hyper-Hcy was defined as plasma total homocysteine level > 15 micro mol/l. Plasma homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients than in controls. It was significantly higher in patients with idiopathic [unprovoked] vein thrombosis than in patients with secondary disease [associated with at least one predisposing factor]. Mean homocysteing was higher in male than in female patients and increased with age. Hyperhomocysteinemia was more frequent in patients with relapsing disease than in those presenting with a single episode. Mean homoqsteine level was similar in patients presenting with either proximal or calf vein thrombosis. Mild Hyper-Hcy is an independent risk factor for deep- vein thrombosis, more prevalent in patients with idiopathic or recurrent disease. The next question to be answered is whether homocysteine-lowering therapy - folic acid, vitamin 36 or vitamin B12 contributes to the prevention of recurrent venous thrombosis

role of tumor necrosis factor alpha and its soluble receptors in infection complicating acute leukemia

This study aimed to examine the changes that occur in the levels of tumor necrosis factor [TNF-alpha] and its soluble receptors in infection in patients with acute myeloid leukemia [AML] and the changes that occur in these parameters during the neutropenic state. Forty-seven patients of newly diagnosed AML [with age range 12-60 years] as well as 25 age and sex matched healthy subjects were included in this study. The patients group was subdivided into four subgroups according to the presence or absence of fever and neutropenia. It was concluded that the levels of soluble receptors of TNF-alpha in the serum may reflect the inflammatory status better than TNF-alpha levels and the rise in their levels is correlated with the severity of sepsis

Human lymphocyte antigens A,B and C in Egyptian patients with psorasis

The frequencies of human lumphocyte antigens [HLAs] A, B and C were shudied in a group of 53 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and one hundred control subjects. An increased frequency of HLA-A 2, A 2 +/- A 28, Bw73, Bw4, Bw6 and Cw 6 were noted in the group of patients. Cw6 was the commonest antigen with a relative risk of 22. Surprisingly, HLA-B13, B17, B27 and B37 were almost protective in our patients. The significance of HLA and the development of psoriasis is as yet not known. It may act by controlling the immune responce or by serving as a receptor for a hypothetical causative agent for psoriasis