CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Atherosclerosis, the major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), has a very long asymptomatic development phase, which begins in childhood. In this study, we describe the Factor V G1691A, Factor V H1299R and prothrombin G20210A gene polymorphisms in children with a family history of premature CAD. Evidence of these polymorphisms in these children may predict the probability of having atherosclerosis in the future. Our study included a total of 140 children, 72 males and 68 females between the ages of 4.9 and 15.7 years. Among these children, 73 had a parental history of premature CAD and the remaining 67 belonged to our control group. The participants were screened for the mutations Factor V G1691 A, Factor V H1299R and prothrombin G20210A by polymerase chain reaction amplified DNA products with specific oligonucleotide probes. Our results suggested that frequencies of the mutated allele of Factor V G1691A and prothrombin G20210A are higher in children with a parental history of premature CAD. In conclusion, Factor V G1691A and prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms which were detected in higher frequencies in children with a parental history of premature CAD may indicate a risk for developing atherosclerosis and might be useful in screening for CAD in children; however, large population-based research is necessary to investigate further genetic risk assessment for CAD. Coron Artery Dis 20:435-439 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwar Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LIPIDOLOGY

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene may modulate lipoprotein metabolism and influence plasma lipid levels. Thus, they have been associated with relative risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipid levels in children with family history of premature coronary artery disease. METHODS: The apoE genotypes, allele frequencie,s and plasma lipid levels were analyzed in 137 children. Among these children, 70 (study group) had and 67 (control group) did not have a parental history of premature CAD RESULTS: Total cholesterol (TO levels were greater in the study group (P = .04). The frequencies of epsilon 3 epsilon 4 genotype and epsilon 4 allele were significantly greater in the study group (P = 005 for both), The epsilon 2 allele correlated negatively with Tc and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and e4 had a positive correlation with Tc and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Tc levels are influenced by apoE genotypes in childhood. Also, the frequency of the epsilon 4 allele is greater in children with family history of premature CAD. The e4 allele may be associated with an increased risk for development of atherosclerosis by elevated levels of Tc in children with family history of CAD. The evaluation of apoE gene polymorhisms may contribute to the assessment of cardiovascular risk in children with a family history of CAD. (C) 2012 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved

Brucellosis as a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin in Children Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in the Aegean Region of Turkey

WOS: 000293629600007PubMed ID: 21254856The aim of the study was to determine the role of brucellosis in children with fever of unknown origin (FUO) in the Aegean region of Turkey. For this purpose, the records of all children referred or admitted with diagnosis of FUO to the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ege University Medical School, between 2003 and 2008 were scanned and 92 cases were identified retrospectively. Fifty-eight of these 92 children (63%) were diagnosed with infectious diseases, brucellosis being the most frequent cause (15.2%). Although several other infectious diseases do appear as a cause of FUO, brucellosis should be particularly considered as a differential diagnosis

Diagnostic value of stool antigen and antibody tests for Helicobacter pylori infection in Turkish children with upper gastrointestinal complaints before and after eradication

WOS: 000286650200010PubMed ID: 21434536The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) and serologic tests before and after eradication therapy for H. pylori in Turkish children in our region with upper gastrointestinal complaints. In this study, 87 children with upper gastrointestinal complaints and 95 children with various symptoms without gastrointestinal complaints were enrolled. H. pylori infection was detected by urea breath test (UBT). HpSA and H. pylori immunoglobulin G (HpIgG) tests were applied to all the children. Eradication treatment was given to the 34 H. pylori-positive children. The UBT was positive in 43 of 87 children (49.4%) with upper gastrointestinal complaints. The sensitivity and specificity of the HpSA in children with upper gastrointestinal complaints were 86% and 84.1%, respectively, and those for the HpIgG were 76.7% and 90.9%, respectively. After eradication, the overall HpSA test sensitivity and specificity values were detected as 88.9% and 84%, respectively, and those for the HpIgG were 77.8% and 36%, respectively. The HpSA test is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of H. pylori and for confirming eradication in Turkish children with upper gastrointestinal complaints. However, serology is not a reliable method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection or for confirming eradication in children

Drug resistance during follow up of a case with HIV infection

WOS: 00030250190001

A case of Mondini dysplasia with recurrent Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis

WOS: 000271404800019PubMed ID: 19259698Mondini's dysplasia is a developmental anomaly of the middle ear characterized by cochlear malformation with dilation of the vestibular aquaduct, vestibule, and ampullar ends of the semicircular canals. These deformities may result in a connection between subarachnoid space and the middle ear resulting in recurrent episodes of meningitis. Additionally, it is commonly associated with hearing impairment. We describe here a boy with recurrent meningitis and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Mondini dysplasia was demonstrated with computed tomographic scans of the temporal bones in the search for pathogenesis of recurrent meningitis

IFNG and IFNGR1 gene polymorphisms in children with nonresponse to the hepatitis B vaccine

WOS: 000332088000007Aim: We investigated the +874 T/A polymorphism in the first intron of the IFNG gene and intronic (CA)(n) polymorphic microsatellite marker of the IFNGR1 gene in child nonresponders to hepatitisB vaccination. Materials & methods: A total of 100 children who had anti-HBs antibody levels 10mIU/ml after vaccination against hepatitisB were included as a responder group. Results: The frequency of the TT genotype of the IFNG (+874 T/A) gene polymorphism was higher in nonresponders (p = 0.003). The frequencies of alleles 170 and 182 for (CA)(n) alleles for the intronic (CA)(n) microsatellite of IFNGR1 were significantly higher in nonresponders (for each, p<0.05). Conclusion: The TT genotype of the IFNG (+874 T/A) gene, and alleles 170 and 182 for (CA)(n) alleles for the intronic (CA)(n) microsatellite of the IFNGR1 gene, may be associated with nonresponse to hepatitisB vaccination.Scientific Projects Council of Ege UniversityEge UniversityThis research was supported by Scientific Projects Council of Ege University. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed