Serum paraoxonase 1 activity and oxidative stress in pediatric patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and paraoxonase 1 [PON1] levels in children with pulmonary tuberculosis [TB] compared to healthy controls, and to examine the association of demographical with oxidative stress. Forty children diagnosed with pulmonary TB and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum total antioxidant status [TAS], total oxidant status [TOS] and PON1 levels were measured. The oxidative stress index [OSI] was calculated to indicate the degree of oxidative stress. The TAS levels were lower [1.73 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.54 +/- 1.2 micromol Trolox Eq/l] while TOS levels were significantly higher [26.9 +/- 14.4 vs. 13.4 +/- 7.7 micromol H2O2 Eq/l] in the TB group than in the controls [p < 0.001]. The OSI was significantly higher in the TB group than in the controls [21.2 +/- 5.1 vs. 6.5 +/- 4.9 units, p = 0.006]. Serum PON1 levels were significantly lower in the TB group than in the controls [14.2 +/- 13.2 vs. 28.4 +/- 17.3 U/l, p < 0.001]. The lower PON1 levels correlated with TAS and OSI levels but not with anthropometric parameters [r = 0.264, p = 0.018 and r = -0.255, p = 0.023, respectively]. The TOS and OSI levels were higher and the TAS and PON1 levels were lower in pediatric patients with pulmonary TB when compared to healthy controls. This indicates greater oxidative stress in the patients

Can appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma reduce excessive antibiotic usage?

This study compared the frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthma episodes before and after the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric asthma patients who were followed up by specialists. Included in this study were 334 patients [211 males and 123 females] of 2-16 years of age who were diagnosed with asthma and followed up for at least 1 year in our clinic. The frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthma episodes in the year prior to diagnosis and treatment were compared to these same variables after 1 year of follow-up by specialists. The median age was 84 months [range: 24-192] and 212 [63%] children were at school or in day care centers. Atopy and a family history of asthma were present in 200 [60%] of the patients, and 137 [41%] reported that at least one member of their household smoked. Antibiotics were used a median number of 7 times [interquartile range [IQR] = 6] in the year before the asthma diagnosis, and 2 times [IQR = 3] during the year after treatment [p < 0.001]. The mean number of asthma episodes before diagnosis, i.e. 4 [IQR = 8] was reduced to 0 [IQR = 2] in the year after treatment when the patients were followed up by specialists [p < 0.001]. This study shows that appropriate diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma significantly reduce the frequency of antibiotic usage and the number of asthmatic episodes