Search

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) I/D polymorphisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases in a sample of Turkish population. Methods: PAI-1 4G/5G and tPA Alu-repeat I/D genetic polymorphisms in 153 COPD subjects and 160 controls were investigated using PCR-RFLP and PCR methods, respectively. Results: 4G allele frequency was 0.62 and 0.39 for COPD and control groups, respectively. 4G allele had an estimated 2.56-fold [95% CI = 1.85–3.53] increased risk of COPD. tPA I allele frequency was 0.55 and 0.50, for COPD and control groups, respectively. I allele had an estimated 1.19-fold [95% CI = 0.87–1.62] increased risk of COPD Conclusions: PAI-1 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes seemed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of COPD in Turkish individuals. Keywords: COPD; Genetic susceptibility; Polymorphisms; Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA); Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)

Background/Objectives: Eculizumab is a first-line treatment for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and patients undergoing eculizumab therapy may become more susceptible to infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). While meningococcal vaccination is required for patients undergoing eculizumab therapy, there is limited knowledge about meningococcal carriage in children with aHUS. We aimed to evaluate (1) the prevalence of Nm carriage, (2) serogroup distribution, and (3) the immunization status of children undergoing eculizumab treatment for aHUS. Methods: The Meningo-aHUS study is a prospective, multi-center study evaluating meningococcal carriage in children and adolescents in Türkiye receiving eculizumab for aHUS. We noted the age, gender, daycare, school, or university attendance, passive smoking status, previous infection and antibiotic use, and previous immunization history, including meningococcal vaccines, from the medical records of those children with aHUS. We collected nasopharyngeal samples, tested them for Nm using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and performed a serogroup analysis on the positive samples. Results: We collected nasopharyngeal samples from 62 children with aHUS. Out of 62 children, 61 (98.4%) had received at least one dose of the meningococcal vaccine. The median time since the last meningococcal vaccine dose was 15 months (1–59 months). We detected meningococcal carriage in three (4.8%, 95% CI 1.0–13.5) children, and all three strains were non-groupable (NG). No other serogroups were detected. Conclusions: Almost all the children received their risk-group meningococcal immunization, including booster doses. A 4.8% of children with aHUS carried NG meningococci and, no vaccine serogroups were detected. Patients treated with eculizumab remain profoundly susceptible to IMD due to these NG meningococcal strains. The occurrence of breakthrough cases and carriage of Nm, especially NG strains, highlights the significance of maintaining a state of constant alertness, promptly seeking medical attention, and swiftly treating any symptoms that align with IMD, regardless of their vaccination status or antibiotic prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CafeÂ'-au-lait skin macules, Cushing syndrome (CS), hyperthyroidism, and liver and cardiac dysfunction are presenting features of neonatal McCune- Albright syndrome (MAS), CS being the rarest endocrine feature. Although spontaneous resolution of hypercortisolism has been reported, outcome is usually unfavorable. While a unified approach to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up is lacking, herein successful treatment and long-term follow-up of a rare case is presented. Clinical case: An 11-day-old girl born small for gestational age presented with deterioration of well-being and weight loss. Large hyperpigmented macules on the trunk, hypertension, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, and elevated liver enzymes were noted. ACTH-independent CS due to MAS was diagnosed. Although metyrapone (300 mg/m2/day) was started on the 25th day, complete remission could not be achieved despite increasing the dose up to 1,850 mg/m2/day. At 9 months, right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy was performed. Cortisol decreased substantially, ACTH remained suppressed, rapid tapering of hydrocortisone to physiological dose was not tolerated, and supraphysiological doses were required for 2 months. GNAS analysis from the adrenal tissue showed a pathogenic heterozygous mutation. During 34 months of follow-up, in addition to CS due to MAS, fibrous dysplasia, hypophosphatemic rickets, and peripheral precocious puberty were detected. She is still regularly screened for other endocrinopathies. Conclusion: Neonatal CS due to MAS is extremely rare. Although there is no specific guideline for diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up, addressing side effects and identifying treatment outcomes will improve quality of life and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septic arthritis is encountered very rarely during the neonatal period and its diagnosis can delay because of atypical symptoms, thus it may lead to serious sequelae. The sequale can be prevented by early diagnosis and concomitant treatment. In neonates, pain can be experienced as a result of pseudoparalysis and of movement of the effected joints. A 17-day-old neonatal patient was brought to our hospital with complaint of unrest and then diagnosed with septic arthritis due to propagation of Klebsiella pneumoniae in joint fluid culture was represented because of the rarity of such a case.

An abstract of the conference paper "Behçet disease: evaluation of clinical manifestations in Turkish children," by Adem Polat, and colleagues, is presented.

Background: Fanconi anemia is the most common inherited bone marrow failure syndrome. HSCT remains the only curative treatment for hematological manifestations of FA. Despite restoration of long-term hematopoiesis, patients continue to remain at risk of late effects., Objectives: In our study, we aimed to reveal the problems that occur in the long-term follow-up of FA patients, and point out an ongoing need for the improvement of long-term follow-up guidelines for childhood transplant survivors with FA., Study Design: In this single centered, cross-sectional study, we analyzed the long-term outcome of 36 patients with FA according to current recommendations with a median age of 18.1 years (range: 6.1-36 years, male/female, 24/12) who underwent a HSCT at Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Unit between 1995 and 2019 and survived at least one year post-transplant., Results: The median long-term follow-up time was 8 years (range, 1-25 years). Gonadal dysfunction was detected in about 35% of our patients. 31% of the patients had hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, 4 % had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. When the patients were evaluated for growth impairment, 7 of 12 patients who reached their final adult height and 12 of 21 patients who didn't complete their growth, had height standard deviation score below -2 SD. Three patients (9%) developed subclinical hypothyroidism, two (6%) had overt hypothyroidism and one (3%) had central hypothyroidism. Although, none of our patients fully met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, 23% of the patients had insulin resistance and 39% had dyslipidemia. Evaluation of organ dysfunctions revealed that almost 50% of the patients had obstructive and 21 % had restrictive changes in their pulmonary function tests. Hepatosteatosis was detected in 15% of the patients and mild valve dysfunction was detected in 50 % of evaluable patients. Three patients developed secondary malignancies. Squamous cell cancer developed in 2 patients and basal cell cancer in one patient., Conclusion: A risk-defined multidisciplinary approach for long-term follow up of children with FA undergoing HSCT is essential for early detection and management of late effects.

Background and Objectives: Infantile nephropathic cystinosis is a severe disease that occurs due to mutations in the cystinosis gene, and it is characterized by progressive dysfunction of multiple organs; >100 cystinosis gene mutations have been identified in multiple populations. Our study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and spectrum of cystinosis gene mutations in Turkish pediatric patients with cystinosis., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We identified the clinical characteristics and spectrum of cystinosis gene mutations in Turkish patients with cystinosis in a multicenter registry that was established for data collection. The data were extracted from this registry and analyzed., Results: In total, 136 patients (75 men and 61 women) were enrolled in the study. The most common clinical findings were growth retardation, polyuria, and loss of appetite. None of the patients had the 57-kb deletion, but seven novel mutations were identified. The most common mutations identified were c.681G>A (p.Glu227Glu; 31%), c.1015G>A (p.Gly339Arg; 22%), and c.18&#95;21 del (p.Thr7Phefs*7; 14%). These mutations were associated with earlier age of disease onset than the other mutations. To understand the effects of these allelic variants on clinical progression, the mutations were categorized into two major groups (missense versus deletion/duplication/splice site). Although patients with missense mutations had a better eGFR at the last follow-up visit, the difference was not significant. Patients in whom treatment began at age <2 years old had later onset of ESRD ( P =0.02). Time to ESRD did not differ between the patients with group 1 and group 2 mutations., Conclusions: The most common cystinosis gene mutations identified in Turkey were c.681G>A (p.Glu227Glu), c.1015G>A (p.Gly339Arg), and c.18&#95;21 del (p.Thr7Phefs*7). Patients with less severe cystinosis gene mutations tend to have better kidney outcome., (Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Nephrology.)