Asthma symptoms and specific IgE levels among toluene diisocyanate [TDI] exposed workers in Tehran, Iran

Toluene diisocyanate [TDI] is an imperative chemical substance used in the production of polyurethane foams, elastomers, paints and coatings that cause a variety of health problems in workers who are exposed in work places. This study aimed to determine the asthma symptoms and serum specific IgE levels in TDI exposed workers and comparing the results with healthy control group. All the plants that use TDI in the manufacturing of paint and glue in the west of Tehran Province entered to the study and all the workers [550] completed modified initial questionnaire of the NIOSH, the questions were consisted of asthma symptoms. For each symptomatic exposed worker one healthy, sex and age matched control selected. Total IgE and Specific TDI IgE tests were done for each case and control groups. Among 550 TDI exposed workers, 26[4.7%] had asthma symptoms. Nine [34.6%] of symptomatic workers who were exposed to TDI were active cigarette consumer versus 3[11.5%] unexposed workers, P=0.049[CI= 0.953-17.29] OR=4.059. Nine [34.6%] workers had positive family history of atopy versus 1[3.8%] unexposed workers, P=0.0138 [CI= 1.45-305.41] OR=13.24. TDI specific IgE was found in 2 TDI exposed workers and 1 unexposed worker [P=0.5]. Mean of total IgE was 339.05 in exposed workers [P=0.201]. This study provides clinical and paraclinical data of workers exposed to TDI and points to a relation between atopy and smoking habit with asthma symptoms that offer preventing recommendations for TDI exposed workers and their heath administrators

Fish and egg specific immunoglobin E in multiple sclerosis patients

The effect of nutrition in the course of multiple sclerosis [MS] is a topic of great interest. The present study was aimed to evaluate the immunoglobin E [IgE] against egg and fish in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Between March 2012 and July 2012, 48 MS patients were selected and compared with 48 healthy subjects to assess the frequency of IgE against egg and fish in MS patients compared to healthy control. Fish and Egg specific IgE was determined by Immuno CAP. Sex and the frequency of specific IgE were compared between study groups by Chi-square test. Total of 96 subjects was assessed [22% male and 78% female]. The mean age of the study subjects was 30.8 +/- 6.6 years. Mean age of case and control groups was 30.7 [ +/- 6.9] versus 30.9 +/- 6.3, respectively [P = 0.83]. There were no detection of egg and fish specific IgE in serum of MS patients and healthy subjects. IgE allergy against fish and egg may be very unlikely to affect MS course

Normal range determination of lymphocytes subsets in normal adults in Iran

Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes is very essential for evaluation of immune system. Due to the effect of environmental factors and ethnical diversity on immune system, establishment of an internal normal range of lymphocyte subsets is a necessity for each population. The aim of this study was to determine the normal range of T and B lymphocytes, and NK cells in normal Iranian adults. Two hundred and thirty three Iranian normal adult volunteers took part in this study. Complete Blood Count [CBC] was performed for them with Sysmex [KX21] and cells with CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD16/56 surface markers were simultaneously detected by flow cytometry method with FACstar system. Their percentile and absolute count were determined. The volunteers were 150 male and 83 female. Mean percentages of lymphocyte subpopulation were: CD3 [67.66 +/- 7.76], CD19 [14.41 +/- 5.09], CD4 [39.22 +/- 6.7], CD8 [25.42 +/- 5.4] and CD16/56 [10.14 +/- 6.42]. Also, their mean absolute count of lymphocyte bearing. CD3, CD19, CD4 and CD8 were l,504 +/- 505/microl, 332 +/- 186/microl, 827 +/- 313/microl and 522 +/- 185/microl, respectively. Our results are comparable with similar Asian results from other Asian population, but are different from European population, we therefore conclude that it is necessary for each laboratory to establish an internal normal range for the lymphocytes bearing above-mentioned markers

BCL-2 associated athanogene-1 overexpression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation play an important role in pathogenesis and tumor progression in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma [DLBCL]. Bcl-2 associated athanogene-l [BAG-1] is an antiapoptotic protein as well as a regulator of cell growth. There is no conclusive evidence about BAG-i protein expression in this disease. To investigate the expression level of BAG-i protein in DLBCL. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed from 1997-2004, as having DLBCL, were selected. Also 30 normal lymph nodes were included as normal counterparts in this study. BAG- 1 expression was determined by inmiunohistochemical staining in both DLBCL and normal lymph node samples. Of the 30 DLBCLs examined, 100% were positive for nuclear and 83% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Of the 30 normal lymph nodes investigated, 20% were positive for nuclear and 0% were positive for cytopiasmic BAG-1 staining. Nuclear staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes [100% versus 20%, p < 0.001]. Besides, cytoplasmic staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes [83% versus 0%, p < 0.001]. There was no association between BAG-i staining and patients' overall survival. Our data indicated that BAG-i protein was deregulated in this disease similar to some other malignancies such as breast and colon cancer. Overexpression of BAG-I in DLBCL suggests that this protein probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Besides, higher nuclear BAG-1 staining might be correlated with poor prognosis

Evaluation of CD11b expression on peripheral blood neutrophils for early detection of neonatal sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is a disease of infants who are less than 1 month of age. These infants are clinically ill, and their blood culture are positive for bacteria. The reported incidence of neonatal sepsis for allinfants is 1 to 10 per 1000 live births. The mortality rate is 4.2-26%. The clinical signs are not specific and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is one of the most difficult tasks in clinical medicine. The aim of this work was determination of CD11b sensitivity and specificity for early detection of neonatal sepsis. We studied 65 neonates with gestational age of 27 to 38 weeks who were suspected for sepsis within the 28 days of life. Whole blood was obtained from neonates to determine CD11b expression on peripheral blood neutrophils by flow cytometry. C-Reactive protein [CRP] was measured qualitatively. Neonates were divided into two groups. Classification was based on the result of the blood culture. In the sepsis group all of the neonates [n = 8] showed positive blood culture and clinical symptoms. In the suspected group [n = 57] the neonates showed clinical signs but blood cultures were negative. Sensitivity and specificity of CD11b were 75%, 100% respectively. Also positive and negative predictive values of CD11b were 100% and 86% respectively. Results of present study and previous studies showed that measurement of neutrophil surface markers can be useful for diagnosis of infection in the early phases. Also, the quantitative measurement of CRP in addition to CD11b further enhances the ability to diagnose infections and improves sensitivity and negative predictive value by 100%