Serum adenosine deaminase activity in complicated pregnancy

The activity of serum adenosine deaminase [ADA] was measured in 3 groups of pregnant women. Group I [n=10] consisted of normal pregnant females, group II [n=10] included eclamptic and preeclampatic pregnant women and group III [n=10] comprised of diabetic pregnant females. Serum ADA activity was found to be significantly lower in group II [12.07 +/- 6.2 U/L] and group III [7.81 +/- 2.66 U/L] than in group I [18.03 +/- 5.6 U/L]. As ADA activity has been associated with immune competence, it can be concluded that the determination ADA concentration in serum might be a marker of depressed cell-mediated immunity in complicated pregnancy

Protein losing enteropathy in measles

Serum and faecal alpha-1 antitrypsin concentration as well as alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance were measured in 10 malnourished children with measles, 10 well nourished children with measles, as well as 10 age matched normal Egyption children. Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations were significantly lower than normal in both groups of measles. The intestinal clearance of alpha-1 antitrypsin was significantly high in the malnourished group. The dual effect of measles [usually sever in PEM] and mal-nutrition on the intestinal mucosa makes it more permeable to plasma proteins