Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels and vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of homocysteine, vitamin B(12), and folate on the prevalence of asymptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures (VFs) using vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in postmenopausal women. The study cohort consisted of 188 consecutive postmenopausal women (mean age, weight, and body mass index of 57.9 ± 8.

[Visceral leishmaniasis, pemphigus and immunosuppressive treatment: case report from Morocco].

Atypical forms of visceral leishmaniasis associated with immunosuppressive treatment are difficult to diagnose and cause high mortality. The purpose of this report is to describe a case involving a 42-year-old patient living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area, who was undergoing immunosuppressive treatment using corticosteroids and methotrexate for pemphigus. Despite clinical and laboratory findings consistent with visceral leishmaniasis, detection of Leishmania bodies was a coincidental finding of cytological examination of bone marrow during workup for pancytopenia and associated clinical signs.

Relation of plasma total homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels to bone mineral density in Moroccan healthy postmenopausal women.

To test whether in Moroccan healthy postmenopausal women, levels of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and vitamin B12 are related to BMD. A total of 188 volunteer postmenopausal women were recruited from our blood taking center between April 2008 and December 2008. Each subject completed a standardized questionnaire designed to document putative risk factors of osteoporosis.