Juvenile lupus and serum vitamin D levels: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is usually associated with vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density.

Objectives: To evaluate serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D in JSLE patients and to correlate these findings with disease activity and bone density.

Methods: This study was conducted on 100 patients with JSLE and 100 healthy children as controls.

Impact of CD40 gene polymorphisms on the risk of immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CD40 gene (rs1883832 C/T and rs4810485 G/T) and the risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in the Egyptian population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted retrospectively on 101 cases with ITP and 97 healthy subjects. Two SNPs of CD40 gene (rs1883832 C/T and rs4810485 G/T) were genotyped via Taqman allele discrimination real-time PCR.