A newly identified Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus strain in Turkey

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal viral disease that occurs in approximately 30 countries. It has the most extensive geographic range among the tick-borne viruses that affect human health. Recently, a 6-year-old boy presented with complaints of fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. He revealed a history of tick bite in rural Istanbul three days prior to presentation. A hyperemia was detected at the site of the tick bite. Laboratory tests showed that alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase levels were elevated and that the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. Anti-CCHF virus IgM ELISA and a reverse transcriptase-PCR assay for CCHF RNA were both positive. Phylogenetic studies revealed that the virus was a new AP92-like CCHF strain, which was named KMAG-Hu-07-01 (accession number EU057975). This patient could provide important information on the transmission dynamics of CCHF infection. (C) 2009 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in children of parents with diabetes mellitus

The aim of this prospective study was to research features of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in offspring of diabetic parents and to rind out whether there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in these children. Study participants were 30 children of parents with type I DM (DMI) (Group I) and I I children of parents with type 2 DM (DM2) (Group II) who were being followed up in the Diabetes Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital. The results were compared with a control group of 17 children in the same age group (Group III). There were no statistically significant differences between the Group I and the control group in fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test values, 1(st) and 2(nd) hour insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) values, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid parameters, i.e. HDL-cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Fasting, 1(st) and 2(nd) hour blood insulin levels, HOMA values, BMI, and systolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in Group II compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between Group II and the control group in lipid parameters, fasting blood glucose, OGTT values, or diastolic blood pressure. We conclude that in our population there is a tendency of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the offspring of parents with DM2, and a risk for developing DM2. Thus, children of patients with DM2 should be followed up so as to recognize early metabolic defects of glucose metabolism and to plan effective preventive efforts to reduce cardiovascular and atherosclerotic risk factors

Indomethacin-induced Colon Perforation in Bartter's Syndrome

Bartter's syndrome (BS) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and hyperaldosteronism with normal blood pressure. A 22-year-old woman was referred at 23 week of gestation. Polyhydramnios was detected and the chloride level of the amniotic fluid was high. The mother was treated with indomethacin from 26 to 31 week of gestation. The newborn was delivered at 34 week of gestation. At 8th day of life, indomethacin was also started for the baby. After three days, a colonic perforation developed. Indomethacin-induced colon perforation is uncommon in antenatal Bartter's syndrome. This patient indicates that administration of indomethacin in both antenatal and/or early postnatal period may be associated with colonic perforation. [Indian J Pediatr 2009; 76 (3) : 322-323] E-mail: [email protected]