Serum inflammatory markers assays in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia before and after therapy

The present study was carried out on two groups; a patient group of 20 diagnosed lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] at Monoufia University Hospital with ages ranged between 4-14 years and a control group of 15 age matched healthy children. The results of patients before therapy were compared with those of controls as well as with those obtained after therapy. Data obtained after therapy, responding and resistant patients were also compared. IL-1 beta was significantly elevated in ALL patients before therapy as compared to controls and decreased significantly after therapy. After therapy, IL-1 beta was significantly elevated in resistant ALL patients as compared to responding ones

Some T-helper cell changes in both juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

This study was conducted on 20 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and 10 systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients to evaluate some immunological abnormalities in auto-pathogenic T-helper [TH] cells. The results revealed a highly significant increase in TH2 cells, a highly significant decrease in TH1 cells and in TH1/TH2 ratio in JRA and SLE patients compared to controls. It can be concluded that the imbalance in TH1/TH2 ratio with TH2 predominance in JRA and SLE may exert an immunopathogenic role in such diseases and may mediate some of the clinical manifestations concerning disease activity

Immunological markers of tuberculosis activity and monitoring of drug therapy

This current study was conducted on 25 pediatric patients suffering form T.B aiming to evaluate the cytokine inhibitors as markers of disease activity of tuberculosis and to monitor drug therapy of T.B. Their ages ranged between 7 and 16 years [mean +/- SD 11 +/- 2.4]. 20 age matched healthy control children were included in the study. All subjects were investigated for tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha], interleukin-1B [IL-IB] and their circulating inhibitors, soluble TNF receptor type I [sTNFRI], type II [sTNFR II] and IL-I receptor antagonist [IL-Ira]. Our results showed significant increase in sTNFRI, sTNFRII and IL-Ira levels in patients as compared to controls. However the concentrations of these mediators did not differ between patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary T.B. In addition, serum levels of sTNFRI, II and IL-Ira where significantly decrease after 6 months antituberculous therapy [P < 0.01, < 0.05 and < 0.05 respectively]. In contrast neither TNF alpha or IL-IB was detectable in the serum of active T.B patient groups whether pulmonary or extrapulmonary. From this study we concluded that serum concentrations of sTNFRI, II and ILIra may used as markers of disease activity of T.B as well as monitoring of antituberculous therapy

Serum cholesterol and phospholipids levels in normal mothers and their newborns

Total lipids, total cholesterol and phospholipids have been determined in paired maternal and foetal sera at parturition in 33 egyptian women who have had uncomplicated pregnancies and normal full term deliveries. Statistically significant lower levels of lipids in foetal as compared to maternal sera were found. The factors that affect the foetal lipid levels, and their correlation with sex and birth weight have been discussed