Study of INF-gamma and IL-6 in patients with Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori evade host immune defenses and causes chronic gastritis. Immunity against intestinal pathogens is largely mediated by dendritic cells, yet the role of dendritic cells in acute H pylori infection is largely unknown. The current study was to determine the serum/plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha in H pylori patients and explain the correlation with disease state, helicabacter pylori Ab IgG and 1gM and urea Breath test. We examined the levels of serum cytokines IL-6 and INF-gamma in 50 patients. Mean serum/plasma levels of IL-6 and INF-gamma in H. pylori patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls [P<0.05]. There was a statistically significant correlation between IL-6 levels and INF-alpha in group of positive and negative, IgM. levels of IL-6 and INF-gamma can be used as important parameters for clinical diagnosis and follow up of Helicobacter pylori cases. CRP and ESR is a useful marker ongoing infection but there is Correlation with disease state

Evaluation of different Rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with disease activity and response to therapy

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated [CCPs] in patients with RA and investigate that. Comparison of available serologic rheumatoid markers in patient with rheumatoid arthritis [anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor]and correlation of the relevance of these markers to disease activity and their sensitivity to anti rheumatoid drugs. Patients divide into two groups 1[st] group contain 30 patients with RA [Newly diagnosed], 2[nd] group contain 30 patients with RA [Receiving different therapies] and 10 consider as healthy control group, median age of patient 25 years, range [10-35 years]. This study was conducted in the outpatient rheumatology unit of Damanhour Medical Institute. There was no significant difference between the anti-CCP positive and negative patients with RA. There was also no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody. Anti-CCP antibodies had a better diagnostic value than RF for RA. However the moderate sensitivity and high specificity of anti CCP antibodies for RA, along with the appearance of anti-CCP antibodies before disease onset, suggest that anti-CCP antibodies be included in the classification criteria for RA