Establishment of a platform for molecular and immunological characterization of the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase NS5B of an Egyptian HCV isolate.

The present work aimed at establishing a platform to enable frequent characterization of the HCV RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase from Egyptian clinical isolates. Subjecting amplified HCV-NS5B coding gene from Egyptian patient's serum to sequencing, multiple alignment, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its subtype 4a origin. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed presence of an additional start codon at the beginning of the NS5B gene.

Adiponectin: an adipocyte-derived hormone, and its gene encoding in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and inflammation is high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adiponectin (ADPN) is an adipocytokine that may have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Low adiponectin levels have previously been found in patients with high risk for CVD.

Red cell alloimmunization and autoantibodies in Egyptian transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore the frequency of red cell alloantibodies and autoantibodies among β-thalassaemia patients who received regular transfusions.

Material And Methods: This study included 501 patients with β-thalassaemia. This work planned to study the presence of alloantibodies and autoantibodies to different red cell antigens in multitransfused thalassaemia patients using the ID.

Bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, lean mass, and fat mass in Egyptian children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Introduction: Aim of this paper is to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition, by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and various markers of bone growth, in a group of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) on long-term glucocorticoid therapy.

Material And Methods: A case-control study included thirty patients with CAH with different states of metabolic control. Their mean age was 7.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies as a discriminating marker between rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C-related polyarthropathy.

Articular involvement is a frequent extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The distinction between HCV-related polyarthropathy and true RA may be very difficult, especially with recent onset RA before articular damage and erosions develop. The objective of the study is to assess the diagnostic utility of anti-CCP antibodies and compare it with that of rheumatoid factor (RF) in distinguishing between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and HCV-related polyarthropathy.

Prevalence of celiac disease, Helicobacter pylori and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with refractory iron deficiency anemia.

Objective: The aim of this article is to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with resistant iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Patients: The study included 25 patients <18 years of age with refractory IDA (not responding to iron therapy for 3 months in a dose of 6 mg elemental iron/kg/day).