Cytokine
-
Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the association of IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism with CAP in Egyptian children, to assess its effect on CAP outcome and to determine its effect on the serum IL6 levels in these children. IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism was genotyped in 210 Egyptian children (100 patients with CAP and 110 healthy controls) using PCR-RFLP, while the serum IL6 levels were measured by ELISA method. ⋯ However, GG genotype and G allele were protective against severe sepsis (p=0.004), acute respiratory failure (p<0.001) and hospital mortality (p<0.001). Serum IL6 levels were significantly increased in these children while there was no relation between GG genotype and serum IL6. In conclusion, IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism may contribute to susceptibility to CAP in Egyptian children.
-
Observational Study
Pancreatic stone protein - a possible biomarker of multiorgan failure and mortality in children sepsis.
Pancreatic stone protein (PSP)/regenerating protein 1-alpha (reg) is associated with inflammation, infection, and other disease-related stimuli. The prognostic value of PSP/reg among critically ill pediatric patients is unknown. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate PSP/reg in children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis. ⋯ PSP/reg levels did not differ between patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and septic condition until organ dysfunction signs were present. PSP/reg levels were significantly higher in patients with a PELOD score of 12 or higher or in those with MODS. Patients who died tended to have higher PSP/reg levels.
-
Subgroups of patients with breast cancer may be at greater risk for cytokine-induced changes in cognitive function after diagnosis and during treatment. The purposes of this study were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct trajectories of attentional function and evaluate for phenotypic and genotypic (i.e., cytokine gene polymorphisms) predictors of subgroup membership. Self-reported attentional function was evaluated in 397 patients with breast cancer using the Attentional Function Index before surgery and for six months after surgery (i.e., seven time points). ⋯ After controlling for age, comorbidities, functional status, and population stratification due to race/ethnicity, IL1R1 rs949963 remained a significant genotypic predictor of class membership in the multivariable model. Carrying the rare "A" allele (i.e., GA+AA) was associated with a twofold increase in the odds of belonging to a lower attentional function class (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.30; p=.009). Findings provide evidence of subgroups of women with breast cancer who report distinct trajectories of attentional function and of a genetic association between subgroup membership and an IL1R1 promoter polymorphism.
-
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is an important receptor involved in the innate inflammatory response and sepsis. We assessed soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) in 112 septic neonates (63 culture-positive and 49 culture-negative) and 40 healthy controls as a potential early diagnostic and prognostic marker for neonatal sepsis (NS). ⋯ Elevated sTREM-1 could be considered an early marker for NS that reflects sepsis severity and poor prognosis.