Interferon-γ release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in children younger than 5 years of age.

Background: There are limited data available on interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) performance in children up to 5 years of age, with documented exposure to active tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the influence of infectivity of adult source cases on test results, (2) the impact of age, and (3) the level of agreement, between IGRA and tuberculin skin test (TST) results.

Methods: A total of 142 Bacille Calmette-Guerin-vaccinated children up to 5 years of age were investigated because of a history of exposure to active TB.

Correlation between asthma severity and serum IgE in asthmatic children sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Background: We undertook this study to test the possible correlation between serum concentration of total and specific IgE antibodies and asthma severity in asthmatic children sensitized to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Methods: The study included 157 asthmatic children aged 5-15 years (8 +/- 3 years). Clinical diagnosis was based on personal and family history, physical examination, pulmonary function testing and skin tests.

Cut-off values for total serum immunoglobulin E between non-atopic and atopic children in north-west Croatia.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine cut-off values for total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) between non-atopic and atopic children with respiratory symptoms. Children of 0-16 years of age were evaluated for respiratory symptoms of >4-week duration.

Methods: Children were divided into two groups: non-atopic children (n=3355) who were non-IgE-sensitized with undetectable allergen-specific IgE (<0.

Chest radiography findings in primary pulmonary tuberculosis in children.

Plain chest radiography plays a major role in the diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of characteristic chest radiographic findings at diagnosis in children with pulmonary tuberculosis. The age of the patients and the type and localization of radiographic changes at admission were retrospectively analyzed.

Thrombopoietin and interleukin-6 in children with pneumonia-associated thrombocytosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate why some, but not all, children develop thrombocytosis during the course of pneumonia.

Methods: The retrospective study included 40 healthy children and 75 children with pneumonia: 17 patients with platelet count within the reference values, i.e.

[Bronchial impairment of main bronchus by aspiration of ferrous sulphate tablet].

The late occurrence of broncial impairment in two children who had aspirated ferrous sulphate tablet ih presented. Local release of cytotoxic oxidant radicals led up to tissue necrosis and consequently to bronchial stenosis and obliteration. Bronchoscopy in the first child confirmed total obliteration of the left main bronchus eleven months after aspiration of iron tablet, and pulmectomy had to be done.

Structural analysis and fatty acid-binding properties of two Croatian variants of human serum albumin.

Background: The aim of the present work was to characterize the molecular defects of a slow-migrating (albumin Zagreb) and a fast-migrating (albumin Krapina) genetic variant of human serum albumin detected in heterozygous persons living in Croatia and to elucidate the fatty acid-binding properties of the two alloalbumins.

Methods: Purification and structural identification of the variants were performed by conventional protein chemistry methods, whereas types and amounts of albumin-bound, endogenous fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography.

Results: Protein sequencing established that albumin Zagreb is a proalbumin variant (-1Arg-->Gln), and that albumin Krapina is due to a mutation within the mature polypeptide chain (573Lys-->Glu).

[Diaphragmatic eventration].

Eventration of the diaphragm is an abnormal elevation of an intact diaphragm. There are two distinct etiologic types of eventration, congenital and acquired. Congenital eventration is characterized by muscular aplasia, and acquired eventration is caused by injury to the phrenic nerve.