Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) as a predictor of outcome in brucellosis.

Objectives And Methods: Brucellosis is characterized by chronicity and relapses despite efficacious treatment. Cytokines and especially the Th1/Th2 balance may be involved in the susceptibility or resistance to the Brucella species. In order to identify predictors of treatment outcome, we measured the pre and posttreatment levels of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble IL-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) in 20 children with brucellosis.

Valproate-induced eosinophilia in children with epilepsy: role of interleukin-5.

Interleukin-5 contributes both in eosinophilopoiesis and neural development. Serum interleukin-5 levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique in 68 children with epilepsy receiving sodium valproate monotherapy and compared with the levels of 60 healthy controls and 14 children with epilepsy receiving carbamazepine. Eosinophilia was observed in 35.

Acute nephritis and respiratory tract infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae: case report and review of the literature.

A 6-year-old boy presented with an acute infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated with respiratory tract and kidney involvement. Renal manifestations included acute nephritis with decreased C3 fraction of serum complement, occurring concomitantly with the respiratory symptoms. The child had an excellent outcome, with rapid normalization of C3 and complete resolution of the acute nephritis.

Renal function and effect of aminoglycoside therapy during the first ten days of life.

The effect of aminoglycoside administration on kidney functional maturation was evaluated in groups of 30 preterm and 30 fullterm infants who were treated for 7 days because of suspected infection. One of three different aminoglycosides was administered to each subgroup of ten preterm and ten fullterm infants. Changes in tubular function in groups of ten preterm and ten fullterm infants who were not given antibiotics were also compared.

Transient lupus anticoagulant and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time secondary to Epstein-Barr virus infection.

We describe the case of a previously well 19-month-old boy who presented with an acute Epstein-Barr virus infection and a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) associated with the presence of a transient lupus anticoagulant (LA). The boy had an excellent outcome, with gradual normalization of the APTT and disappearance of the LA.