Antibody response to Haemophilus influenzae type-b conjugate vaccine in children and young adults with congenital asplenia or after undergoing splenectomy.

Absence of the spleen constitutes a risk of infection caused by encapsulated bacteria. The aim of our study was to determine the immune response to Haemophilus influenzae type-b (Hib) conjugate vaccine (HibCV) in asplenic individuals, considering the cause of asplenia, the age when splenectomy was carried out, and previous Hib vaccinations. Twenty asplenic patients, aged five to 25 years, were immunized with a single dose of HibCV. The specific antibody concentrations against HibCV were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before vaccinations, the geometric mean antibody concentration (GMC) had an average value of 3.21 µg/ml and was comparable for all of the patients, regardless of the causes of asplenia. After vaccinations, the GMC was significantly higher, with an average of 6.78 µg/ml. Further, 4.5 years after vaccinations, the GMC was comparable to that of previously unvaccinated children. Moreover, 17/20 patients had GMC ≥ 1.0 µg/ml, which included all of the children with congenital asplenia, children splenectomized before the age of six years, and only 57% of children splenectomized after that age. HibCV gives asplenic patients long-term protection. Hence, HibCV should be administered regardless of previous vaccinations and time from splenectomy, even if antibody evaluation is not available.

Immune response to the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in 30 asplenic children.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of pneumococcal antibodies after a dose of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in 30 asplenic children between 4 months and 19 years of age. Fifteen children had received pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) approximately 5 years prior to vaccination with PCV7. The antibody concentrations against serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were measured by ELISA before and after the PCV7 vaccination. Before vaccination with PCV7, the antibody concentrations were similar in children who had or had not received PPV previously. A dose of PCV7 stimulated a good immune response in asplenic patients. Prior immunization with PPV did not affect the antibody concentration after the vaccination with PCV7. In conclusion, asplenic children vaccinated with PPV may need revaccination with PPV earlier than the recommended 3-5 years after the first dose. PCV7 induces a satisfactory immune response in asplenic patients and should be considered as an alternative vaccine in that patient group.

Plasma fibrinogen concentration in pediatric patients treated with an elimination diet based on soy proteins and casein hydrolyzate.

PURPOSE: Fibrinogen is one of the most discussed new risk factors of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between fibrinogen concentration and classic risk markers of atherosclerosis in a group of children aged from 2 to 6 with or without a family history of circulatory system diseases (FHCAD) (American Academy of Pediatrics--AAP criteria). The study also considered the impact of allergies/food intolerance treatment with elimination diets on the concentration of atherosclerosis markers specially fibrinogen. INCLUSION CRITERIA: a) family history of early occurrence of circulatory system diseases (FHCAD+) according to AAP standards; b) the type and duration of elimination diet continued in infancy and early childhood. 134 of 388 children were included in the investigation. RESULTS: The analysis of data relating to the so-called classic biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis (total cholesterol--TC, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose) did not reveal any differences between the tested groups. It was found that in the FHCAD+ group the concentration of fibrinogen was statistically higher than in the group with a negative family history. It was discovered that the type of elimination diet had no effect on fibrinogen level in the FHCAD+ group. In the group of children with negative family history the concentration of fibrinogen was statistically lower in the group on casein hydrolysate than in children treated with soy formula. CONCLUSIONS: The initial interview in pediatrics should include information on the patient's family history of atherosclerosis. In case of a positive family history, fibrinogen, as one of atherosclerosis risk factors, should be monitored.

The incidence of some civilization diseases in families of children with food allergy/intolerance.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of chosen civilization diseases in families of children with food allergy/intolerance. We also wanted to indicate the need for developing and implementing activities preventing these diseases among children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the basis of information from questionnaires, two groups of children were distinguished: a group of 80 children suffering from food allergy/intolerance on elimination diet (GR1) and a group of 67 healthy children (GR2) on regular diet. In GR1, the elimination diet with soya bean preparations or casein hydrolysates was introduced before the age of 6 months and continued for at least 12 months. A high risk of hypercholesterolemia according to extended American Academy of Pediatrics criteria including hypertension, diabetes and obesity was determined for children in both groups. RESULTS: The research showed that 31.25% of children examined according to AAP criteria and 46.25% according to extended criteria had a positive family history of premature diseases of the circulatory system. The study proved that hypertension was the most frequent cause of morbidity in families of children from a high risk group and it was found in 67.7% of families with children on elimination diet and with a positive family history and in 78.7% of families with children from GR2 with a positive family history. Obesity, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis and diabetes were listed consecutively. CONCLUSIONS: Once a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases is discovered, systematic education promoting health in a family and complex evaluation of physical and psychomotor development of the children should follow. Arterial blood pressure and lipid profile in serum ought to be monitored to eliminate risk factors of these diseases for children.

Application of derivative spectrophotometry for determination of coenzyme Q10 in pharmaceuticals and plasma.

The use of derivative spectrophotometry is proposed in this work for determination of coenzyme Q10 in formulations and in human plasma. The spectrophotometric procedure is simpler and less expensive than chromatographic techniques commonly used for the analysis of coenzyme. The active compound can be determined in the range 0.25-10 ppm for standard solutions and pharmaceuticals and 0.05-1.5 ppm in plasma. The proposed method was applied for coenzyme determination in real samples. The results agree well with declared value and with these obtained by HPLC.

The effect of C-terminal fragment of ANF-ANF(24-28)OH on the cardiovascular system in rat.

1. The effect of C-terminal fragment of ANF-ANF(24-28)OH on the cardiovascular system was investigated in rats. 2. In vivo this pentapeptide caused the fall of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 3. ANF(24-28)OH increased cardiac contraction amplitude and changed coronary outflow in vitro. 4. These experiments showed that the shorter fragment of ANF containing five amino acids: Asn24-Ser25-Phe26-Arg27-Tyr28-COOH is a bioactive substance.

The interaction of ANF and C-terminal fragment ANF (24-28)OH with agonist and antagonist of the beta-adrenergic receptor in the cardiovascular system in rats.

1. The interaction of ANF and ANF(24-28)OH with the agonist, Isoprenaline (ISO), and the antagonist, Propranolol (PRO), of beta-adrenergic receptor in the cardiovascular system in rat was investigated. 2. The studies showed that ANF and C-terminal fragment of ANF, ANF(24-28)OH, interfered with beta-adrenergic receptor. 3. This does not exclude the action of this pentapeptide on the other receptors.