Antineuronal antibodies in autistic children: relation to blood mercury

It was recently suggested that autism, a severe neuro developmental disorder, may involve an autoimmune pathogenesis. Mercury [Hg] is a potential risk factor for autoimmunity in autistic children. We sought to investigate the expression of antineuronal antibodies, as an index of autoimmunity to brain, in autistic children. The potential relationship between blood mercury and these antibodies was also investigated. Forty autistic children [20 with mild to moderate and 20 with severe disease] were studied in comparison to 40 healthy children. After complete clinical and neuropsychiatric evaluation, serum antineuronal antibodies and blood Hg levels were estimated. Autistic children had significantly higher seropositivity for antineuronal antibodies [67.5%] than healthy controls [5%]. Similarly, the former group had significantly higher blood Hg levels than the latter [p<0.0001]. Seropositivity of antineuronal antibodies had a significant positive association with elevated blood Hg. which was found in 70% of autistic children, [p<0.0001]. In addition, the two markers were positively associated with some parameters such as the family history of autoimmunity, autistic severity and some important clinical manifestations of autism [mental retardation, behavioral abnormalities and autistic regression] as well as EEG abnormalities. Autism may be, in part, one of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. Such autoimmunity may be triggered by environmental Hg exposure. Further studies are warranted to enforce these concepts. If these assumptions could be proved, routine assessment of serum antineuronal antibodies and blood mercury in autistic children would be mandatory Studies assessing the role of immunotherapy and Hg chelators as new therapeutic modalities for autism are also recommended

Prevalence of type 1 diabetes among 6- to 18- year- old Kuwaiti children

To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes among 6- to 18-year-old Kuwaiti children according to gender, age, and region. Subjects and Children with type 1 diabetes aged 6-18 years were identified at 182 schools [50 primary, 63 intermediate, and 69 secondary] in Kuwait during the study period October 2000 to September 2002. Schools were randomly selected using the 2000/01 educational districts' registers as sampling frame proportional to the number of schools in each district. Prevalence rates were adjusted to the 2002 Kuwaiti population. Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was based on the World Health Organization, and the American Diabetes Association criteria. Prevalence of type 1 diabetes was 269.9 per 100,000 [95% confidence interval, CI 241.6-298.3]. There was no significant difference in prevalence between male [247.6, 95% CI 205.2-290.0] and female [285.5, 95% CI 247.5-323.5]. Type 1 diabetes was more prevalent in the age group 10-13 years [347.3], and lowest in the age group 6-9 years [182.6] per 100,000; the difference was significant at p < 0.001. The overall age-adjusted prevalence rate was 252.9 [95% CI 234.6-271.2], 229.1 [95% CI 204.6-253.6] in male and 277.4 [95% CI 250.0-304.7] in female children in the 2002 Kuwaiti population. The mean age at onset was 9.2, and 8.1 years in male and female children, respectively [p = 0.018]. There was no significant difference in prevalence between regions. Type 1 diabetes is a common chronic disease in Kuwaiti children

relation between inflammatory markers, lipid parameters and antioxidant vitamins in rheumatoid arthritis patients

The association between rheumatoid arthritis and increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease is well recognized. The role of chronic inflammation, dyslipoproteinemia, lipid peroxidation and low levels of antioxidant vitamins [vitamin A and E] in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease is being established. To study the relationship between lipid profile abnormalities, antioxidant vitamins and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thirty rheumatoid arthritis patients and twenty apparently healthy volunteers as a control group were studied .The following parameters were measured for all included subjects: markers of inflammation; CRP, RF, ESR, and VCAM [Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule], lipid parameters; total cholesterol, triglycerides, direct HDL and LDL cholesterol and Lp [a] and antioxidant vitamins A and E. The inflammatory markers [CRP, ESR and VCAM] were significantly higher in patients compared to controls [p<0.01]. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in rheumatoid arthritis patients were significantly higher compared to the controls [p<0.05]. Also Lipoprotein [a] was significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the controls [p<0.01]. Vitamins A and E were significantly lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the control group [p<0.01]. A significant positive correlation was found between total cholesterol, LDL-C, lipoprotein [a] and VCAM [p<0.001, and p<0.01 and p<0.01] respectively. A significant negative correlation between the antioxidant vitamins E and A and VCAM [p<0.05 and p<0.05] in rheumatoid arthritis patients was also observed. A significant negative correlation was also found between lipoprotein [a] and both vitamins [E and A] [p<0.01 and p<0.001] respectively. The association of VCAM with high lipid parameters and low levels of antioxidant vitamins, might explain the association of chronic inflammatory processes with atherosclerosis and the high risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients