Renal failure in the recent 2011 Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak: a summary on up-to-date data

The recent 2011 Escherichia coli outbreak in Europe is considered as one of the biggest E. coli outbreak in the modern medical history. Although the induction of renal impairment is well described in E. coli infection, the specific knowledge on E. coli O104:H4 is very limited. To add up to known knowledge, the author hereby summarizes up-to-date information on renal failure among patients in 2011 E. coli O104:H4 outbreak.     

Prevalence of VDRL Seroreactive in Myanmar Migrators in a Rural Area of Thailand

Although the prevalence of VDRL seroreactive in the Thai population has decreased in the recent years, migration of Myanmar laborers as carriers into Thailand may increase the prevalence of VDRL seroreactive. Screening is one of the recommended screening tests for the Myanmar migrators. In interest, epidemiology of VDRL seroreactive in Myanmar migrators has not been precisely determined. In this study, we reported the prevalence of VDRL seroreactive in Myanmar migrators in a rural community in the southern region of Thailand with high density of Myanmar migrators as fishermen. We analyzed the data of screening for VDRL seroreactive among 250 Myanmar migrators (169 males and 81 females) who have just stayed in Thailand for less than 1 month. The VDRL seroreactive rate among these Myanmar migrants was 3.2. The rates in males and females were 4.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Since these migrants can carry the disease to Thailand, screening test as one of the prevention strategies is necessary.     

The cost of influenza in Thailand

The cost of influenza in less wealthy tropical countries is needed to inform national vaccine policy decisions. Between September 2003 and August 2004, we prospectively identified hospitalized pneumonia cases and outpatients with laboratory confirmed influenza in a Thai province. Disease incidence, patient interviews, medical record reviews, and data from a national health survey were used to calculate direct and indirect costs which were extrapolated to the Thai population. Influenza was identified in 80 (11%) of 761 hospitalized pneumonia inpatients with projected annual incidence of 18-111/100,000 population. Influenza was confirmed in 23% of 1092 outpatients with an estimated annual incidence of 1420/100,000 population. Influenza was estimated to cause between US dollar 23.4 and US dollar 62.9 million in economic losses with lost productivity accounting for 56% of all costs. The burden of influenza in Thailand is greater than previously appreciated, particularly in young children and the elderly. The impact and cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination for high-risk groups merits further investigation.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism is correlated to the progression of disease in patients with IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) displays potent vasoconstrictive effects, attenuation of fibrinolysis, and platelet activation and aggregation. Recently it was mentioned that the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with ESRD. The lengthy course of IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) and the possibility of good outcomes without therapy suggest nontoxic therapies such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). However, the correlation between the ACE gene polymorphism and progression of IgAN still requires further approval. Here, the author performs a summative analysis on the recent previous reports on the ACE gene polymorphism and its correlation to progression of IgAN. The meta-analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the pattern of ACE gene polymorphism and progression of IgAN. From five available studies, 346 and 555 patients with (group 1) and without (group 2) the progression of disease are evaluated. According to this study, the frequency of DD genotype in group 1 is significant higher than group 2 (p < 0.05). In addition, the author first reports a non-significant correlation between the ethnicity and the ACE gene polymorphism.     

Urine glycosyl albumin formation: relation to severe nephropathy in the poor control diabetes mellitus patients?

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent disorder affecting individuals of all ages. Urine glycosyl albumin is an important finding in the patients with severe diabetic nephropathy. In addition, accumulation of glycated albumin in end-stage renal failure is noted. Here, the author performed a reappraisal on the bonding energy based on quantum chemical analysis. The author calculated the bonding energy of the reaction and found that the reaction is a type of "energy providing reaction." The author hereby proposed that the nature of energy providing reaction in formation of glycosyl albumin can be an insult to the surrounding renal tissues in poorly controlled DM patients. Giving out the energy from the nearby cellular compartment during formation of glycosyl albumin might be an important pathological process leading to severe diabetic nephropathy and renal failure.