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It has been reported that levels of neopterin are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with bacterial meningitis, and that neopterin enhances cell death induced by H2O2 in mouse monocytes and macrophages. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the disappearance of inflammatory cells in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis and the effects of neopterin on cell death. We hypothesized that the rapid cell death of mononuclear leukocytes (MNs) and survival of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) brought about by high levels of tumor necrosis factor-a TNF-a may be related to the pathophysiology of PMN predominance in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis. Peripheral blood leukocytes separated into two fractions (MNs and PMNs) were suspended in CSF samples from patients with bacterial meningitis, and the cell death rate was determined with MTT assay. The higher the CSF TNF-a level, the higher the MN mortality rate tended to be. In contrast, PMNs were able to survive high levels of TNF-a in the CSF. For control purposes, MNs and PMNs were also suspended in various conditioned media. The same association between TNF-a levels and MN mortality was observed, as was the survival of PMNs. The addition of neopterin enhanced the cytocidal effect of TNF. The present study suggests that neopterin is related to PMN predominance in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis via the effect of TNF-a on cell death.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin been previously reported in various diseases. In this study CSF neopterin, biopterin, and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) Contents were measured and the correlation between them in child patients with various kinds of neurological diseases were investigated. Changes in the CSF neopterin levels in patients with bacterial meningitis were similar to those previously reported for those with bacterial meningitis; on the 2th hospital day they were significantly higher than on admission, and on the 6th hospital day they were tapered. The CSF biopterin levels and CSF NOx content in patients with bacterial meningitis on admission were significantly higher than those with other categories and were decreased gradually. Although patients with high levels of CSF neopterin tended to have high CSF biopterin levels in any categories, there was no significant correlation between CSF neopterin and biopterin levels. The CSF biopterin and NOx levels in patients with convulsions were higher than those with aseptic meningitis. Since the neuro-protective or anticonvulsant role for NO was previously reported, high CSF biopterin and NOx levels in patients having epilepsy or febrile convulsions may be regarded as one of the endogenous mechanisms for recovery from an overexcitatory brain in patients with convulsive diseases.

CSF and serum levels of neopterin and several kinds of CSF cytokines were measured in child patients with non-pleocytotic CSF. The CSF neopterin levels with febrile convulsions (FCs) were 27.4±33.0 nmol/1 and the CSF neopterinlserum neopterin ratio (C/S ratio) with FCs was 2.07±2.06. The longer the FCs patients' convulsions lasted, the higher their CSF neopterin levels tended to be come. The CSF neopterin levels with FCs were significantly higher than in those with pyrexia without convulsions (6.5±2.5 nmol/L) or convulsions without pyrexia, including epilepsy (4.9±2.9 nmol/L). The C/S ratio was also higher in patients with FCs than in those with pyrexia without convulsions (0.31±0.17) or convulsions without pyrexia (0.82±0.50).In addition, there was a tendency for CSF IFN-γ levels to be higher in patients with FCs than in those with pyrexia without convulsions or convulsions without pyrexia. However, TNF-α and IL-1α were under measurable levels in cases of non-pi eocytotic CSF. The CSF neopterin levels in patients with exanthem subitum with FCs were higher than in those without FCs. It has been reported that there is a possibility of neopterin production by microglial cells. Our finding that CSF neopterin levels were elevated in patients with FCs, whose CSF had no pleocytosis, are consistent with the possibility of neopterin production by microglia. Our results further suggest that immune activation of microgrial cells is one of the mechanisms involved in the onset of FCs.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin levels were measured in child patients with neurological diseases. CSF neopterin levels on admission were significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis than in those with aseptic meningitis or in those with non-pleocytotic CSF. CSF neopterin levels in patients with bacterial meningitis one day after admission were higher than those on admission and were markedly elevated with high levels of CSF IFN-γ and TNF-α. CSF neopterin levels in patients with bacterial meningitis one day after admission were related to the period of positive serum C-reactive protein. In patients with non-pleocytotic CSF, CSF neopterin and CSF IFN-y levels were higher in patients with febrile convulsion (FC) than in those with pyrexia only or convulsion (including epilepsy) only. These results suggest that elevation of CSF neopterin in bacterial meningitis results from monocytes/ macrophages costimulated with IFN-γ and TNF-α and that immunological activation in the central nervous system is one of the mechanisms of onset with FC.

Abstract Background Acute encephalopathy includes rapid deterioration and has a poor prognosis. Early intervention is essential to prevent progression of the disease and subsequent neurologic complications. However, in the acute period, true encephalopathy cannot easily be differentiated from febrile seizures, especially febrile seizures of the complex type. Thus, an early diagnostic marker has been sought in order to enable early intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel marker candidate protein differentially expressed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with encephalopathy using proteomic analysis. Methods For detection of biomarkers, CSF samples were obtained from 13 children with acute encephalopathy and 42 children with febrile seizure. Mass spectral data were generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) technology, which is currently applied in many fields of biological and medical sciences. Diagnosis was made by at least two pediatric neurologists based on the clinical findings and routine examinations. All specimens were collected for diagnostic tests and the remaining portion of the specimens were used for the SELDI-TOF MS investigations. Results In experiment 1, CSF from patients with febrile seizures (n = 28), patients with encephalopathy (n = 8) (including influenza encephalopathy (n = 3), encephalopathy due to rotavirus (n = 1), human herpes virus 6 (n = 1)) were used for the SELDI analysis. In experiment 2, SELDI analysis was performed on CSF from a second set of febrile seizure patients (n = 14) and encephalopathy patients (n = 5). We found that the peak with an m/z of 4810 contributed the most to the separation of the two groups. After purification and identification of the 4.8-kDa protein, a 4.8-kDa proteolytic peptide fragment from the neurosecretory protein VGF precursor (VGF4.8) was identified as a novel biomarker for encephalopathy. Conclusions Expression of VGF4.8 has been reported to be decreased in pathologically degenerative changes such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and encephalopathy. Thus, the VGF4.8 peptide might be a novel marker for degenerative brain conditions.

Although thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is rare, early diagnosis and treatment are important for decreasing the mortality rate. Acquired vitamin B12 deficiency is frequently overlooked because of its rarity in developed countries, particularly in children and adolescents. The hematological changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as megaloblastic anemia, increased lactate dehydrogenase, vasoconstriction, increased platelet aggregation, and abnormal activation of the coagulation followed by microangiopathy as well as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. We report herein the case of a 15-year-old girl who had been neglected, which might have caused pseudo-TTP through malnutrition, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency. When we encounter cases of TTP in children, clinicians must be aware of the possibility of malnutrition, particularly with vitamin B12 deficiency, even in developed countries, and investigate the cause of malnutrition including neglect., (© 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Background: Forced normalization has been reported in association with almost all anti-epileptic drugs., Patient: We report on a 9-year-old girl with idiopathic epilepsy who showed forced normalization after administration of levetiracetam (LEV). She initially presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures when she was 4 years old. Diffuse sharp and slow wave complexes (SWCs) were observed on electroencephalography (EEG). We prescribed sodium valproate (VPA) and benzodiazepines, but the seizures and EEG findings worsened gradually. Although subsequent administration of LEV stopped the seizures, the patient became subject to episodes of rage and violent behavior. Forced normalization was confirmed by the disappearance of SWCs on EEG. We reduced the dose of LEV and tried in various ways to resolve the situation, but finally we had to abandon LEV., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with idiopathic epilepsy but without disabilities in everyday life showing forced normalization associated with LEV administration.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease caused by antiphospholipid antibodies. At our institution, APS is diagnosed on the basis of the Sapporo criteria, which consist of thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy-related complications and the following laboratory findings: the presence of lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibody, or anti-β2 glycoprotein 1 antibody. However, we sometimes treat patients we strongly suspect of having APS but who do not satisfy the laboratory criteria. To accommodate such suspected cases, a subtype of APS termed seronegative APS has been proposed. Here, we report on a man with chronic thromobocytopenic purpura since the age of 3 years and multiple cerebral infarctions since the age of 14 years who finally received a diagnosis of seronegative APS with positive antiphosphatidylethanolamine antibodies.

Background: In acute encephalopathy, deterioration of the condition can be rapid, and early intervention is essential to prevent progression of the disease. However, in the acute period, differentiating acute encephalopathy from febrile seizures is difficult. Thus, an early diagnostic marker has been sought to enable early intervention. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy is used to study the chemical characteristics of biological fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The purpose of this study was to ascertain if pattern recognition of (1)H NMR spectra could differentiate CSF obtained from patients with acute encephalopathy and febrile seizures., Methods: CSF was obtained from patients with acute encephalopathy (n = 4), complex febrile seizures (n = 9), and simple febrile seizures (n = 9)., Results: NMR spectra of CSF did not visually differ across the three groups. Spectral data were analyzed by partial least squares discriminant analysis and visualized by plotting the partial least squares scores of each sample. The three patient groups clustered separately on the plots., Conclusion: In this preliminary study, we were able to visualize different characteristics of CSF obtained from patients with acute encephalopathy and simple and complex febrile seizures using pattern recognition analysis of (1)H NMR data.

We report on a 14-year-old girl with hydrocephalus that underwent spontaneous regression without any specific treatment, such as ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. A 14-year-old girl was referred to our hospital with severe headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography and FLAIR-MRI findings on admission showed markedly dilated lateral, third and fourth ventricles with periventricular hyperintensity and downward displacement of the tonsils induced by dilatation of the fourth ventricle. We diagnosed hydrocephalus of unknown etiology. Although no specific treatment for hydrocephalus was performed, the symptoms gradually improved. One year after onset, the patient was completely free of neurological symptoms, and findings of physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain had returned to normal. The etiology of the spontaneous regression is unclear, but the following mechanisms are discussed: 1) rupture of ventricular diverticulum, 2) head injury causing skull-base fracture with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, 3) extremely radiosensitive neoplasms diminished by X-p exploration, and 4) cerebrospinal fluid leakage due to lumbar puncture.

L-asparaginase (L-Asp) is an important reagent for acute lymphoblastic leukemia because asparagine is required for the malignant growth of tumor cells, especially lymphoblastic leukemia cells. An allergic response to L-Asp is not unusual because L-Asp is derived from Escherichia coli and is often recognized as a foreign protein. The hypersensitivity induced by L-Asp is of the immediate type in most cases. We report on a 5-year-old girl who was hospitalized for precursor T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. She was treated according to a Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group protocol (TCCSG ALL L09-1603 HEX/BFM). During the intensification phase, blisters with erythema developed on the arm proximal to the catheter insertion site owing to a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction caused by intravenous L-Asp administration. She was treated with additional methylprednisolone, tapered dexamethasone, and an antihistamine for the allergic reaction. No asparaginases other than E. coli L-Asp have been approved for use in Japan. Other asparaginases, such as polyethylene glycol L-Asp and Erwinia L-Asp should be quickly approved for use as alternative chemotherapy reagents in Japan.

Background: Acute encephalopathy includes rapid deterioration and has a poor prognosis. Early intervention is essential to prevent progression of the disease and subsequent neurologic complications. However, in the acute period, true encephalopathy cannot easily be differentiated from febrile seizures, especially febrile seizures of the complex type. Thus, an early diagnostic marker has been sought in order to enable early intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel marker candidate protein differentially expressed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with encephalopathy using proteomic analysis., Methods: For detection of biomarkers, CSF samples were obtained from 13 children with acute encephalopathy and 42 children with febrile seizure. Mass spectral data were generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) technology, which is currently applied in many fields of biological and medical sciences. Diagnosis was made by at least two pediatric neurologists based on the clinical findings and routine examinations. All specimens were collected for diagnostic tests and the remaining portion of the specimens were used for the SELDI-TOF MS investigations., Results: In experiment 1, CSF from patients with febrile seizures (n = 28), patients with encephalopathy (n = 8) (including influenza encephalopathy (n = 3), encephalopathy due to rotavirus (n = 1), human herpes virus 6 (n = 1)) were used for the SELDI analysis. In experiment 2, SELDI analysis was performed on CSF from a second set of febrile seizure patients (n = 14) and encephalopathy patients (n = 5). We found that the peak with an m/z of 4810 contributed the most to the separation of the two groups. After purification and identification of the 4.8-kDa protein, a 4.8-kDa proteolytic peptide fragment from the neurosecretory protein VGF precursor (VGF4.8) was identified as a novel biomarker for encephalopathy., Conclusions: Expression of VGF4.8 has been reported to be decreased in pathologically degenerative changes such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and encephalopathy. Thus, the VGF4.8 peptide might be a novel marker for degenerative brain conditions.

The present study aimed to elucidate the possible role of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), which is a candidate prognostic marker in diseases that combine inflammation and tissue injury, in acute encephalopathy. HMGB1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained on admission from eight children with acute encephalopathy, and 16 children with febrile seizure, eight children with bacterial/aseptic meningitis, and eight children with fever without neurological symptoms were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found no increase in HMGB1 in CSF from acute encephalopathy or in CSF from febrile seizure or fever without neurological complications at early time points, while marked elevation of HMGB1 was seen in CSF from bacterial and aseptic meningitis. In conclusion, HMGB1 is a poor disease marker for acute encephalopathy.

Background:   The mumps virus is frequently the causative agent in aseptic meningitis and mumps has still prevailed in Japan. We compared data obtained from patients with mumps meningitis and patients with aseptic meningitis caused by other viruses in order to identify mumps meningitis-specific cytokine/chemokine alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)., Methods:   We elucidated the cytokine/chemokine network based on the cytokine/chemokine profiles in CSF from children with mumps meningitis and meningitis due to other viral infections using multiplex cytokine measurement. Seventeen cytokines/chemokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), were measured simultaneously in CSF supernatants from eight children with mumps meningitis, 11 children with other types of viral meningitis and eight children with fever without neurological complications such as convulsion., Results:   We found that IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13 and IFN-γ showed a statistically significant increase in CSF from mumps meningitis when compared to other types of viral meningitis and fever without neurological complications., Conclusion:   Mumps meningitis may induce a distinct immunological response when compared with other types of viral meningitis., (© 2011 The Authors.Pediatrics International © 2011 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Background: Bacterial meningitis is characterized by a marked predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs: segmented granulocytes or neutrophils) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whereas aseptic meningitis is characterized by a predominance of mononuclear leukocytes (MNs: lymphocytes or monocytes). However, the pathophysiology of this predominance of PMNs in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis has never, to our knowledge, been clearly described., Methods: To investigate the predominant cell components of CSF from pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis, we investigated cell death in association with levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the CSF, using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay and flow cytometry., Results: The MTT assay of the CSF revealed that the PMNs had survived, while the MNs rapidly had undergone cell death. Although PMNs survived in CSF with high levels of TNF-α, PMN apoptosis was demonstrated with flow cytometry., Conclusions: The present study suggests that the pathophysiology of PMN predominance in the CSF of patients in the acute phase of bacterial meningitis is related to the rapid cell death of MNs and the survival of PMNs brought about by high levels of TNF-α.

Background: Cat-scratch disease is the most common form of Bartonella henselae infection. Although reports have shown that CSD is relatively common, they have not shown the prevalence of seropositivity for Bartonella henselae in cases of cervical lymphadenitis and Kawasaki disease, which are relatively common diseases in children., Methods: We evaluated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G- and IgM-class antibodies against Bartonella henselae in children with cervical lymphadenitis, Kawasaki disease, and infectious diseases without lymphadenopathy in a semi-rural area in Japan., Results: We found that the positivity rate for the IgG antibody against Bartonella henselae in patients with cervical lymphadenitis who owned cats or dogs was significantly higher than that in patients with Kawasaki disease and infectious diseases without lymphadenopathy. However, the average age of children with cervical lymphadenitis did not significantly differ when compared to those with other infectious diseases., Conclusion: Our serological study showed that Bartonella henselae infection may contribute to the etiology of cervical lymphadenitis in children., (© 2010 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Bacterial meningitis has a poor prognosis and neurologic complications. The present study aimed to investigate the cytokine/chemokine network in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from children with bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, were measured simultaneously in CSF supernatants. We found that, IL-17 was significantly elevated in CSF with bacterial meningitis. We believe that IL-17 plays a key role in neutrophil infiltration into CSF and neuronal protection in bacterial meningitis., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fungal spondylodiskitis (inflammation of intervertebral disk tissue and adjacent vertebrae) is rare, particularly in immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a case of fungal and bacterial thoracic spondylodiskitis in a 14-year-old girl with abdominal and back pain. The spondylodiskitis was diagnosed on the basis of the presence of beta-D glucan and the unusual clinical course, although cultures for fungus were negative. We conclude spondylodiskitis must be considered in cases of abdominal pain without clear etiology and in cases of fungal infection with unexplainable findings after standard treatment for bacterial infection, even when fungal cultures are negative.

Although anemia frequently occurs in poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN), severe anemia is rare. We report severe normocytic, normochromic anemia (hematocrit, 19.8%) in PSAGN in a 6-year-old girl with edema, macrohematuria, and proteinuria for 1 month. The potential causes of severe anemia found in this case were: 1) longer duration of massive hematuria from onset of macrohemauria to treatment, 2) a level of erythropoietin much lower than that in cases of iron deficiency anemia, and 3) hemodilution. We speculate that these factors combined to cause an unusual case of severe anemia in PSAGN.

We report an 8-year-old boy with left vertebral artery dissection featuring cerebellar ataxia in which congenital vertebral artery hypoplasia was suspected as a predisposing factor in the dissection. The patient suddenly suffered from vertigo and vomiting while swimming, and he was brought to our department. The initial brain Computed Tomography (CT) demonstrated no abnormalities, and his symptoms disappeared the next morning. However, one month after onset, brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed ischemic changes (infarction) in the left cerebellum. Transfemoral angiography showed complete occlusion at the C2 portion of the left vertebral artery, suggesting dissection and diffuse narrowing of the proximal segment of the occlusion site. Three-dimensional CT angiography also revealed diffuse narrowing of the left vertebral artery from the bifurcation of the subclavian artery. He has since been living daily life without any difficulties. The detailed etiology of cerebral artery dissection remains unknown, but arterial anomalies should be considered as a predisposing factor.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystem disorder of unknown origin and usually associated with thrombocytosis. The authors describe a case of KD exhibiting thrombocytopenia with markedly large platelets. Among the 173 KD cases, 3 cases exhibited thrombocytopenia. One of these showed cardiac involvement with giant aneurysm of the coronary artery (33%), while only 1 of the remaining 170 cases exhibited cardiac involvement without thrombocytopenia (0.6%). The authors believe that it is important for clinicians to be aware that thrombocytopenia may occur during the course of KD and that this may be a more active condition when compared with thrombocytosis.

We describe our treatment of two boys with continuous spikes and waves during slow wave sleep (CSWS). One of the boys was suffering from non-convulsive status epilepticus and the other from conscious disturbance with automatism. Their ictal EEG readings showed continuous diffuse spike and wave complexes, which were considered to show electrical status. The boys were diagnosed as having CSWS, and were later diagnosed with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS). EEG readings returned to normal on intravenous injection of flunitazepam (FZP) at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg, suggesting that FZP is an effective treatment for CSWS.

We describe an uncircumcised male infant treated for urinary tract infection who exhibited multiple hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities consistent with a diagnosis of transient pseudohypoaldosteronism. Successful treatment of the urinary tract infection was accompanied by the resolution of all hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities, including hyperaldosteronemia, hyperreninemia, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Radiographic examination revealed marked left dilatation of the renal pelvis and hydroureter but no vesicoureteral reflux. Owing to the possibilities of future renal scarring, decreased renal function, and hypertension, evaluation of urinary tract malformation and appropriate hormonal studies should be performed in infants with urinary tract infection and hyperkalemia.

We report on a 13-year-old girl with a solid cystic tumor of the pancreas. She was referred to our hospital with abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant. Physical examination revealed a firm mass in the abdomen. Ultrasonography showed a clearly demarcated round mass with a mixture of solid and cystic components. Computed tomography confirmed that the mass measured 5 x 5 cm with low density in the cystic region and soft-tissue density in the solid region. Magnetic resonance also showed a clearly demarcated mass with a solid portion of low intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images. We diagnosed a solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas and subsequently performed distal pancreatectomy. A firm, well-encapsulated tumor was found in the pancreas tail. The cut surface of the tumor consisted of a solid area with hemorrhage and a cystic area. Light microscopy of the tumor confirmed small neoplastic cells. Pathological diagnosis was solid pseudopapillary tumor (solid cystic tumor) of the pancreas. Surgery was successful, and the postoperative course was uneventful.

It has been reported that active oxygen and/or free radicals are produced in the central nervous system (CNS) compartment in patients with bacterial meningitis, so it is supposed that the levels of endogenous antioxidative scavengers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are elevated as an adaptive reaction to bacterial meningitis, which exerts severe stress on the human body. We assumed that they are also elevated in patients with convulsive diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) and endogenous antioxidative scavengers (glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), (total) superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and catalase) were measured in CSF from a group of child patients with various neurological diseases and a control group. NO, GSH, and GPX activities in CSF from the patients with convulsive diseases were significantly higher than in those with aseptic meningitis or in the controls. Furthermore, all parameters in CSF from patients with bacterial meningitis were significantly higher than in any other group. The present study suggests that oxidative stress may be associated with the pathophysiology of convulsion and that its clinical attenuation will lead to improvement in the prognosis for convulsive diseases.

We report on 5-month-old girl with severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia (hemoglobin 2.9 g/dl, positive direct Coombs test) in whom thrombocytopenia developed after red blood cell transfusion. The platelet count was 62.1 x 10(4)/mm3 on admission and rapidly fell to 6.0 x 10(4)/mm3 rapidly after transfusion of incompatible red blood cells with intravenous predonisolone administration. No increased hemolysis or alloimmunization was observed after transfusion. The platelet count and hemoglobin levels gradually improved over 8 weeks with corticosteroid therapy. We suspect that the thrombocytopenia in our patient was transfusion-induced.

Congenital bilateral anophthalmia and microphthalmia are rare conditions, with overall prevalence in one study set at 1.0 per 10,000 births. We report here a case of congenital bilateral severe microphthalmia with mental retardation and cerebral palsy. The patient was man aged 38 years with a chromosome aberration, namely a balanced translocation: 46, XY, t (2;6)(q31;q24). He had no other malformations apart from the severe microphthalmia. CT of the head showed no significant abnormal findings in the brain, but rudimentary eyeballs and external ocular muscles in the bilateral orbits. There was no family history of anophthalmia, microphthalmia, mental retardation or cerebral palsy. His mother had not used any medications or excessive alcohol during gestation. Putative genes of anophthalmia and microphthalmia reported to date include PAX6 (Glaser T et al 1994) and CHX10 (Ferda Percin E et al 2000). Further, some loci of these conditions have been reported (Graham CA et al 1991; Bessant DAR et al 1998; Morle L et al 2000: Forrester S et al 2001: Ng D et al 2002). To our knowledge, however, this is the first report of nonsyndromic microphthalmia or anophthalmia with chromosome 2q31 or 6q24 aberration. We consider that the putative gene may be located on the brake points of chromosome 2 and 6.

Adult patients with Down syndrome show psychological symptoms and early senility. Improving their environment and dealing with their complaints and stress should first address their behavioral problems, such as self-injury, depression, aggression and outbursts. Pharmacological treatment may also be tried for behavioral disorders. Individuals with Down syndrome demonstrate neurotransmitter changes such as the loss of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (5-HT) with increasing age. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) is effective for depression and panic disorders. We report here the effect of SSRI in two adult male patients with Down syndrome, 35 and 47 years of age. Self-injury in one case and aggression and outbursts in another improved after 1 week of fluvoxamine treatment, suggesting the effects of SSRI for behavioral disorders of adult Down syndrome.

We report a case of 13-year-old girl with short stature, microcephalus, blepharophimosis, ptosis, bilateral microphthalmia (more prominent in the right), hypogonadism, other minor anomalies, and severe mental retardation. Her mother had two spontaneous abortions. She was born as the second baby of dizygotic twins. The first baby died of diaphragm hernia and heart failure. Her body height, body weight and head circumference were below -3 SD. She did not have epicanthus inversus, hypoplastic teeth, heart anomalies, seizures, muscle weakness, and hearing loss. She was able to handle her wheelchair, but could neither understand nor speak meaningful words. When she looked at something in front of herself, she turned her face up and lifted the left eyelid with her own fingers. She had no somatic change of puberty. Laboratory and radiological examinations demonstrated a normal karyotype, normal bone age, findings of Chilaiditi syndrome, and absence of brain malformation on cranial CT. The serum levels of LH and FSH were high for age and those of estradiol and progesterone were low, suggesting immaturity of ovarian function. These findings suggested the ovarian functions might not get maturations. Hypogonadism has previously been reported in female cases of the blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) type I, but not in those with the Ohdo blepharophimosis syndrome (OBS). Our case's condition differs from BPES because of the presence of mental retardation and the absence of epicanthus inversus. We also discuss the distinction from OBS, a disease entity of unknown etiology presenting with a variety of complications.