Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in Egyptian multiple sclerosis patients.

One of the most common neurological illnesses in the world is multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS has both a genetic and an environmental origin. In terms of environmental factors, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most important risk factors and closely connected with gene polymorphisms involved in vitamin D metabolism, transport, or activity. Since vitamin D activity requires a receptor-mediated response, any changes to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) may have an effect on the pathophysiology of the disease. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms, FokI A>G (rs2228570), ApaI A>C (rs7975232) and BsmI C>T (rs1544410) and MS. FokI, ApaI and BsmI genotypes were determined in 50 patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and in 50 control subjects. DNA was isolated from blood samples, and then FokI, ApaI and BsmI gene polymorphisms were identified using allelic discrimination real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The distribution of FokI, ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms did not show any significant differences between MS patients and controls. Thus, we concluded that there is no association between the studied VDR gene polymorphisms and MS.

Serum homocysteine level in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and its correlation with the disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis and embolism are possible complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-19-positive pediatric patients. Although the risk is lesser in children than it is in adults, it does exist during acute infection and multi-inflammatory syndrome in children. Biomarkers such asd-dimer, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen degradation products are ineffective at detecting disease severity. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a prothrombotic factor that has been reported to be higher in adult COVID-19 patients, leading to speculation that it could be used as a biomarker for disease severity. PURPOSE: To detect the correlation between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the severity of COVID-19 in pediatrics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 children with COVID-19 and 40 healthy control subjects. Serum tHcy was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and correlated with the clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters of the patients. RESULTS: The median serum tHcy level in COVID-19 patients was 27.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 23-31.75) µmol/L, while that in the controls was 1.8 (IQR: 1.6-1.875) µmol/L. There was a statistically significant increase in the tHcy level in cases compared to controls (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum tHcy and d-dimer, ferritin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and a highly significant positive correlation between tHcy and COVID-19 reporting and data system score, pediatric intensive care unit admission, and the disease severity classification. CONCLUSION: Hcy could be a biomarker of importance in predicting the severity of COVID-19 in pediatrics.

Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization among asthma COPD overlap patients.

Recently, many researchers are interested in studying asthma COPD overlap (ACO) group features. Sensitization to Aspergillus has been linked to increased severity of asthma; however, limited data is available about fungal sensitization in ACO group. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) sensitization among ACO patients in comparison to asthma patients. This cross-sectional study included 30 patients with ACO, and compared them to 30 asthmatic patients, as regards sensitization to A. fumigatus. Sensitization was diagnosed using skin prick test and specific IgE. Blood eosinophil count, total IgE and pulmonary functions results were also recorded. Thirteen patients with ACO (43.3%) were sensitized to A. fumigatus compared to 8 asthmatic cases (26.7%), P value 0.17. Blood eosinophil count and total IgE were significantly higher among ACO patients compared to asthma group (P values 0.003, 0.007 respectively). Blood eosinophil count was significantly higher among A. fumigatus sensitized ACO patients (400 cells/L) compared to 320 cells/L in non-sensitized ACO subgroup (P value 0.01). Otherwise, they were comparable regarding pulmonary functions and total IgE. In conclusion, Sensitization to A. fumigatus is higher among patients with ACO than that in patients with asthma but without a statistical significance. Moreover, Sensitized ACO patients showed significantly higher blood eosinophil count than non-sensitized ones.