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Al-Mughales J. Immuno-Diagnostic Interest in Monitoring CD16+CD56+ (Natural Killer) Cells and CD19+CD45+ (B Lymphocytes) in Individuals Newly Diagnosed with HIV in a Tertiary Care Center. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1154. [PMID: 38398466 PMCID: PMC10889093 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Monitoring multiple cellular markers of immune cells may provide a more accurate evaluation of the immune status of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). This study assessed the value of CD16+CD56+ cells (NK cells) and CD19+ lymphocytes (B cells) phenotyping in indicating viral load, AIDS status, and treatment efficacy. METHOD A retrospective, laboratory-based study was conducted at the Diagnostic immunology division of a referral tertiary hospital. It involved 82 newly diagnosed HIV patients treated between 2009-2016. We explored three objectives: (1) the paired change in CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ cells counts and percentages from baseline to 2-to-6 months after treatment; (2) the association of these phenotypes with 5 gradual categories of viral load; and (3) the accuracy of CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ cells counts in indicating AIDS stage defined as CD4+ < 200 cells/mm3. The second and third objectives were tested using a pooled analysis (N = 300-373). RESULT The median CD19+CD45+ and CD16+CD56+ counts increased by 1.9-fold and 1.3-fold after treatment respectively (p < 0.001). A negative correlation of viral load with both CD16+CD56+ (ρ = -0.29, p < 0.001) and CD19+CD45+ (ρ = -0.34, p < 0.001) counts was observed. CD16+CD56+ count < 73 cells/mm3 and CD19+CD45+ count < 166.5 were indicative for AIDS with 95.5% and 63.6% sensitivity respectively. CONCLUSIONS Findings advocate for the usefulness of CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ phenotyping in characterizing the severity of HIV infection and its impact on both the humoral and cellular immunity, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Al-Mughales
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, Diagnostic Immunology Division, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 23623, Saudi Arabia
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Mansory EM, Alahwal HM, Bahashwan SM, Radhwi O, Almohammadi AT, Daghistani Y, Al-Mughales J, Barefah AS. Antiphospholipid Antibody Testing: An Audit on Testing Practices in a Public Tertiary Care Center. J Clin Med 2023; 13:243. [PMID: 38202249 PMCID: PMC10780093 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are antibodies directed against cell membrane components and can be associated with clinical features or be asymptomatic. Testing and interpreting these antibodies is associated with many challenges and pitfalls in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE To review all antiphospholipid antibody testing and describe the testing practices, indications for testing and interpretation of results to infer local challenges with aPL testing and subsequently address ways to overcome those challenges. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of all aPL testing done in a tertiary center between 2014 and 2018. Characteristics of study patients collected through chart review were described using the mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and proportion for categorical variables. Group differences were compared between patients with any aPL-positive result and those with no positive result using chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate for categorical variables and a simple regression model for numerical variables. RESULTS Among 414 patients undergoing aPL testing, mainly adult females, 62 (14.9%) patients had at least one positive antibody, of those, 26 (42%) had repeat testing done. Testing was mostly done for obstetric indication (107, 25.8%), with 36 patients having one or two early pregnancy losses <10 weeks as their testing indication. A total of 27 (6.5%) patients were labeled with APS/possible APS based on chart review, but on review of the testing of those patients according to classification criteria, only nine patients satisfied the criteria for APS. CONCLUSION This study highlights the clinical challenges associated with aPL testing, including the controversies around indication for testing, the low rates of repeat testing to confirm persistence, and the common misinterpretation of results. Having an aPL testing profile, explicit reference ranges, results commentary, and close interaction between ordering physicians and laboratory staff might be starting points to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M. Mansory
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatem M. Alahwal
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salem M. Bahashwan
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osman Radhwi
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah T. Almohammadi
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yassir Daghistani
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Jamil Al-Mughales
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, Diagnostic Immunology Division, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed S. Barefah
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.A.); (S.M.B.); (O.R.); (A.T.A.); (A.S.B.)
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Mansory EM, Badawi AM, Rajab R, Abdullah A, Alhiniah M, Alelyani RH, Al-Mughales J, AlAhwal HM, Barefah AS. Is a Higher Body Mass Index a Risk Factor for Developing Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome? Cureus 2023; 15:e42982. [PMID: 37671224 PMCID: PMC10476543 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are antibodies directed against components of the cell membrane and can be associated with clinical features or be asymptomatic in 1-5% of the population. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the frequency of aPL positivity based on body mass index (BMI). METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of all aPL testing done in a tertiary center between 2010 and 2020. The difference between patients with BMI <25, BMI 25-30, and BMI>30 is calculated using chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate for categorical variables and a two-sample t-test for numerical variables. Unadjusted then multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the effect of BMI on aPL positivity adjusting for age, thrombosis history, pregnancy complications history, and presence of autoimmune disease. Sex was included as an effect modifier. RESULTS Among 312 patients, the outcome (any positive aPL) was detected in 26 (20.8%), 13 (13.0%), and 16 (18.4%) patients with BMI groups: BMI <25, BMI 25-30, and BMI > 30, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression showed that those with BMI 25-30 had a lower risk of aPL positivity when compared to patients with BMI <25 (OR of 0.55 CI 0.25 - 1.14, p=0.116), and patients with BMI >30 also carried a lower risk compared with patients with BMI<25 (OR of 0.76, 95% CI 0.36 - 1.56, p=0.46); these results were not statistically significant. INTERPRETATION The results suggest that a higher BMI was not a risk factor for aPL positivity. A better understanding of the complex interactions between antiphospholipid antibodies and obesity should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Mansory
- Department of Hematology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah, SAU
| | | | - Renad Rajab
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Asma Abdullah
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | | | | | - Jamil Al-Mughales
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, Diagnostic Immunology Division, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Hatem M AlAhwal
- Department of Hematology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Ahmed S Barefah
- Department of Hematology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah, SAU
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Al-Mughales J. The Immunodiagnostic Utility of Antinuclear Antibody Patterns: A Prediction for Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e43532. [PMID: 37719585 PMCID: PMC10501496 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Previous studies have noted associations between the immunofluorescence patterns of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) and the autoimmune responses seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis of whether ANA patterns predict renal involvement in SLE patients. Method A retrospective study was carried out on consecutive SLE patients who had ANA staining pattern data and who were screened for renal involvement defined as all-stage proteinuria or chronic kidney disease (CKD) at a referral tertiary center in western Saudi Arabia from December 2021 to February 2022. Demographic data and levels of lupus immune markers including ANA titers, anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (anti-dsDNA), complements C3 and C4, anticardiolipin (aCL) immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM, anti-β2 glycoprotein (β2-IgM and β2-IgG), and lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies were collected. Result Among 243 patients included, 25.1% had renal involvement (95% confidence interval {CI}=19.8-31.0). A mixed ANA pattern was associated with a higher prevalence of renal involvement (46.2%), followed by homogenous (26.5%) and speckled (25.6%) patterns, compared with 4.5% for the other patterns (p=0.044). No further association of renal involvement was observed with other biological markers. Adjusted logistic regression showed age (odds ratio {OR}=0.95; 95% CI=0.92-0.97) and mixed ANA pattern (OR=26.66; 95% CI=2.53-281.11) to be independently associated with renal involvement, explaining 12.6% of the variance. Conclusion A mixed homogenous/speckled ANA staining pattern is associated with an increased risk of renal involvement, independent of ANA titer or other lupus immune markers. The potential clinical applications of the ANA staining pattern in SLE should be explored in various subtypes of SLE and patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Al-Mughales
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, Diagnostic Immunology Division, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, SAU
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Al-Mughales J, Wali SO, Manzar MD, Alhejaili F, Gozal D. Pro-inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy. Sleep Sci 2022; 15:20-27. [PMID: 35273744 PMCID: PMC8889979 DOI: 10.5935/1984-0063.20200117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Al-Mughales
- King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Diagnostic Immunology Division, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine - Jeddah - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology Immunology Division - Jeddah - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia
| | - Siraj Omar Wali
- King Abdulaziz University, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Sleep Medicine Research Group, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine - Jeddah - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author: Siraj Omar Wali E-mail:
| | - Md. Dilshad Manzar
- Majmaah University, Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences - Majmaah - Majmaah - Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris Alhejaili
- King Abdulaziz University, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Sleep Medicine Research Group, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine - Jeddah - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia
| | - David Gozal
- The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute - Columbia - Columbia - United States
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Wali SO, Manzar MD, Abdelaziz MM, Alshomrani R, Alhejaili F, Al-Mughales J, Alamoudi W, Gozal D. Putative associations between inflammatory biomarkers, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea. Ann Thorac Med 2021; 16:329-336. [PMID: 34820020 PMCID: PMC8588947 DOI: 10.4103/atm.atm_644_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported increased levels of inflammatory mediators in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but their relation with the severity of OSA is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To address potential relationships between OSA-related inflammatory markers, namely, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and fibrinogen, with different oxygenation parameters and with BMI. METHODS: All eligible patients with suspected OSA newly referred to the Sleep Medicine Research Center at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, were evaluated demographically and anthropometrically, and underwent overnight polysomnography. Fasting morning blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen, TNF-α, and IL-6. Potential correlations between these inflammatory mediators and severity measures of OSA and body mass index (BMI) were explored. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients completed the study (40 with OSA and 24 without OSA). Significantly increased levels of CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6, and TNF-α emerged in patients with OSA compared to non-OSA. Significant associations between log CRP and log fibrinogen levels emerged with increasing BMI. However, there was no significant association between any of the inflammatory markers and the severity of OSA based on the apnea/hypopnea index or oxyhemoglobin saturation-derived parameters. CONCLUSIONS: OSA patients exhibit increased levels of inflammatory mediators that do not appear to be associated with polysomnographic measures, but exhibit positive correlation with the degree of adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siraj Omar Wali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Sleep Medicine Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Dilshad Manzar
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M Abdelaziz
- Department of Medicine, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Ranya Alshomrani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Sleep Medicine Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris Alhejaili
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Sleep Medicine Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamil Al-Mughales
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Immunology Lab, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wail Alamoudi
- Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University - Rabigh Branch, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
| | - David Gozal
- Department of Child Health, Child Health Research Institute, The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
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Wali SO, Al-Mughales J, Alhejaili F, Manzar MD, Alsallum F, Almojaddidi H, Gozal D. The utility of proinflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Breath 2020; 25:545-553. [DOI: 10.1007/s11325-020-02149-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Wali SO, Al-Mughales J, Alhejaili F, Manzar M, Alsallum F, Almojaddidi H, Gozal D. 0680 The Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on the Levels of the Proinflammatory Markers in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) develops systemic inflammation, with increased levels of mediators. In general, significant elevations in serum levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are seen in patients with OSA. The literature is inconsistent regarding the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) on the level of CRP and IL-6. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of CPAP on the levels of IL-6 and CRP in patients with OSA.
Methods
All patients newly diagnosed with moderate-severe OSA at the King Abdulaziz university sleep center were targeted. Patients with conditions that may affect the levels of inflammatory markers were excluded. All included patients had their fasting blood taken post the initial diagnostic polysomnography for pro-inflammatory markers. Patients were then classified into two groups. The first group included those that accepted treatment with CPAP (CPAPG). The second group included patients with OSA but refused treatment (No-CPAPG). Each group had been followed for one month, and then another blood samples were drawn for the levels of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
Results
Twenty patients in each group were recruited. At baseline IL-6 was significantly higher in the No-CPAPG compared to CPAPG (median 6.7 pg/ml [interquartile range 1.6-7.6] vs. 1.6 pg/ml [1.3-1.9], respectively; p = 0.006) despite similar OSA severity. At 1-month follow-up, IL-6 remained significantly higher in the No-CPAPG; p = 0.003 and there was no effect of CPAP on IL-6 in the CPAPG. There was no significant difference in CRP level at baseline or at 1-month follow-up among the two groups. However, there was neither an effect of time (F (1, 38) = 0.08, p = 0.78), nor an interaction effect between CPAP and time (F(1, 38) = 0.006, p = 0.94) on IL-6 level. Similarly, there was neither an effect of time (F(1, 38) = 1.68, p = 0.20), nor an interaction effect between CPAP and time (F(1, 38) = 0.17, p = 0.68) on CRP level.
Conclusion
IL-6 and CRP levels did not change significantly with CPAP over a one month period in OSA patients.
Support
By the DSR, KAU, Jeddah, KSA. No: KEP-2-140-39
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Wali
- King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - J Al-Mughales
- Department of medical microbiology and immunology, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - F Alhejaili
- Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, KSA, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - M Manzar
- Physiology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, Majmaah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - F Alsallum
- Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, KSA, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - H Almojaddidi
- Sleep Medicine and Research Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, KSA, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
| | - D Gozal
- Pediatric Department, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, USA, Chicago, IL
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Saadah OI, Sindi HH, Bin-Talib Y, Al-Harthi S, Al-Mughales J. Entecavir treatment of children 2-16 years of age with chronic hepatitis B infection. Arab J Gastroenterol 2012; 13:41-4. [PMID: 22980589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Childhood acquired chronic hepatitis B is associated with a significant lifetime risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Our objective in this study was to report retrospectively the response to treatment with Entecavir in 8 children with chronic hepatitis B followed at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study is an observational hospital based chart review of children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the period between June 2007 and July 2011. RESULTS Half of the studied group was males, and the median age at the time of treatment was 4.8 years (range, 2.6-15). All subjects displayed infection with HBV genotype D and all were HBeAg positive. Half of the patients had been previously treated with lamivudine, while the remaining half was treatment naïve patients. The mean ALT±SD was 84.9±34.7IU/L (range, 46-133) and the mean HBV DNA was 5.01×10(8)±5.7×10(8) IU/mL (range, 5.5×10(7)-1.3×10(9)). Patients were treated with a daily oral dose of 0.5mg entecavir, and the mean duration of treatment was 23.8±11.9 months, (range 14.9-44.7 months). HBV DNA suppression of more than 2 log(10) was achieved in all patients. HBV DNA was undetected in 37.5%, with ALT normalization in 87.5% and lastly HBeAg seroconversion and loss occurred in 37.5%. No adverse side effects were observed during the treatment with entecavir. CONCLUSION We conclude from this limited data that 37.5% of children treated with entecavir achieved HBeAg loss and seroconversion with no side effects observed during treatment period, however long term safety and efficacy in children should be demonstrated through a multicenter study, enrolling large number of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar I Saadah
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Abstract
Diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease are common endocrine disorders in the general population. To investigate the association between thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity and Saudi type 2 diabetics, a random sample of 100 Saudi type 2 diabetics and 100 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. The mean age was 54 years for diabetics and 55 years for controls while the male:female ratios were 1:1.6 and 1:14 respectively. GAD65ab were found in 26% diabetics and 2% controls (p=0.001). Thyroid autoimmunity were detected in 10% diabetics vs. 5% controls (p=0.05), while thyroid dysfunction was found in 16% and 7% respectively (p=0.03). In GAD65ab-positive diabetics, thyroid autoimmunity was observed in 27% vs. 4% GAD65ab-negative diabetics (p=0.02) and thyroid dysfunction was reported in 42% and 7% respectively. We conclude that thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity are common in Saudi type 2 diabetics. Further studies are needed on the cost effectiveness of thyroid screening in diabetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Akbar
- King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines are thought to be important endogenous mediators of the host immune response to infection. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the prediction and differentiation of sepsis and meningitis in children. METHODS Blood was collected from 50 children admitted to hospital for suspicion of infection. On the basis of predetermined criteria and investigation, the children were classified into sepsis (n = 30) and meningitis (n = 20) groups, as well as into healthy controls (n = 24) and non-infected sick controls (n = 12). The sepsis group was subdivided according to culture results into S1 (proven sepsis, n = 11) and S2 (clinical sepsis, n = 19). Serum IL-1alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured by nephelometer. RESULTS In non-infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis groups, levels of CRP (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), IL-1alpha (P < 0.001 for all), and IL-6 (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. In sepsis, levels of IL-1alpha increased in the S2 subgroup (P < 0.001) and IL-6 increased in the S1 and S2 subgroups (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively) compared with healthy controls. In meningitis, IL-1alpha had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value, while IL-6 had the highest specificity and positive predictive value in non-infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis groups. CONCLUSION Interleukin-1alpha, IL-6 and CRP are increased in non-infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis patients but it is not possible to differentiate between them. IL-1alpha had the highest sensitivity in meningitis while IL-6 had the highest specificity in prediction of sepsis and meningitis and their assessment together may improve accuracy in the diagnosis of childhood infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia M Fida
- Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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