Correlation between some parameters in active seasonal allergic rhinitis: a controlled clinico-immunological study

Allergic rhinitis is a global disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. It is characterized by inflammatory cells and mediators of which, eosinophil and IgE, are playing a central role. IgA with its two forms [serum IgA and secretory IgA] is one of the respiratory system defense mechanisms against pathogens, however, its role and its relation to other allergic inflammatory parameters is still under investigation. This study was conducted on twenty allergic rhinitis patients and ten apparently healthy persons as a control to test the correlation between different parameters in allergic rhinitis including; eosinophil count, IgE, IgA levels and symptoms score in active symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis. Results showed that blood eosinophil percentage and nasal eosinophil count as well as serum IgE were significantly increased in patients than controls. Secretory IgA [sIgA] in nasal secretion but not serum IgA was significantly increased in patients group indicating excess local production; which is probably a part in the allergic reaction. There was a positive correlation between serum eosinophil percentage and eosinophil count in nasal secretion and serum IgE levels, which may suggest that eosinophil count in nasal secretions; could be a reliable tool in diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. sIgA in nasal secretions increased in patient's group and is found to be positively correlated to nasal eosinophil count, which may suggest a role of sIgA in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Although there was a positive correlation between nasal obstruction score and nasal eosinophil count, however, as it is a subjective scoring, it can't be relied on until accurate objective scoring is used to measure nasal obstruction. The present study stressed on the importance of meticulous history taking [symptoms score]. The results stressed on the opinion that serum IgE and eosinophil count are good markers for allergic rhinitis, also, nasal cytology for eosinophil count could be used to assist in diagnosis; it is easy, simple and east to help in differentiation of allergic from non allergic rhinitis. The findings of IgA raise the point that it's measurement could be a good tool to be added to the battery of parameters for diagnosis or evaluation of the severity of allergic rhinitis together with follow up of patients. IgE, IgA, IgG: immunoglobulin E, A, G., sIgA: secretory IgA., HDM: House dust mites, Fc: fraction crystalline, ELISA: Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay, ECP: eosinophilic cationic protein, PO: eosinophil peroxidase, EDN: eosinophil- derived neurotoxin, TNF-alpha: tumor necrosis factor alpha, SAR=seasonal allergic rhinitis, HPF: high power field

Role of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in type-2 diabetes mellitus, with and without nephropathy, and its relation to glycemic control

To determine the plasma concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and to investigate its possible role in diabetic nephropathy. A randomized, group comparative, and crossectional study. A total of 50 type-2 diabetic patients, 30 of them were complicated by nepthropathy, and other 20 diabetic patients without nephropathy, and 20-matched of non-diabetic control subjects. Suiz Canal University Hospital. Plasma concentration ol' VEGF, HbAlc, plasma glucose, albumin excretion rate [AER], and serum creatinine. The type-2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy had plasma level of VEGF significantly higher than that of controls. Diabetic patients with nephropathy had significantly higher plasma level of VEGF than that of diabetics without nephropathy. Significant positive correlations exist between the plasma concentration of VEGF and fasting, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HBAIc], and AER. VEGF may play an important role in mediating diabetic nephropathy