Inflammatory cytokines following diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment of different clinical groups in lymphatic filariasis

In an earlier study in Indonesia we reported on adverse reactions to diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in brugian filariasis patients identified as microfilaraemics (n = 26), endemic normals (n = 11) and elephantiasis patients (n = 17). To assess the link between adverse reactions and cytokines we have now analysed an array of inflammatory mediators in plasma samples collected during the same study. Pre-treatment levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 75 (sTNF-R75) were higher in elephantiasis patients compared to microfilaraemics and endemic normals, indicating the presence of an ongoing inflammation in patients with chronic disease. After initiation of treatment, the levels of IL-6 and LPS-binding protein (LBP) were consistently and significantly higher in microfilaraemics who suffered most from adverse reactions compared with endemic normals and elephantiasis patients. In microfilaraemics the levels of sTNF-R75 increased after treatment to reach levels recorded in elephantiasis patients. IL-6 increased early, concurrent with the development of adverse reactions and peaked by 24 h post treatment. The levels of LBP and sTNF-R75 in microfilaraemics also increased to peak, later than IL-6, at 32 h post DEC therapy. Although changes were recorded in IL-8 and IL-10 levels in some individuals, no significant differences were found between the 3 clinical groups. These results demonstrate that intake of DEC leads to an increase in a selected number of inflammatory mediators in the group of filarial patients who suffer most from adverse systemic reactions.     

Increased mucosal inflammatory cytokines in children with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1-β in tissue homogenates of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens, and in gastric juice samples from Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative children, were determined. The study population comprised 30 children with recurrent abdominal pain attending upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Of these patients 18 were infected with H. pylori. Cytokine concentrations in gastric biopsy homogenate supernatants and in gastric juice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNF-α levels in gastric juice and in gastric biopsy homogenate supernatants in patients with H. pylori-positive gastritis were found to be significantly higher than those in children without H. pylori infection. IL-6 levels were also higher in H. pylori -infected subjects, but the difference in IL-6 concentrations measured in gastric juice and biopsy homogenate supernatants did not reach statistical significance. IL-1-β concentrations in both specimens showed no significant difference between the two groups of children. It was suggested that increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α and IL-6 generated locally within the gastric mucosa might be implicated in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis in childhood.     

Manifest latent and congenital nystagmus waveforms in the same subject A need to reconsider the underlying mechanisms of nystagmus

We report a unique case of a horizontal manifest latent nystagmus (MLN) that is converted to a congenital nystagmus (CN) on covering the subjectþs only seeing eye. The subject is a 65-year-old female who, at five days after birth, had her right eye ennucleated. A prosthetic eye was fitted soon after. Horizontal eye movements were recorded using an IRIS (Skalar Medical) infrared system. The effect of visual feedback on primary and secondary gaze, smooth pursuit, optokinetic responses, and the role of selective attention on fixation stability were examined. On primary gaze with the left eye open and under normal viewing conditions, the patient exhibited a typical MLN waveform. The slow phase was a decreasing velocity and the fast phase beat to the left. On covering the left eye, the nystagmus slow phase immediately increased in velocity and the fast phase beat to the right. Removal of visual feedback (darkness or stabilising the retinal image) also brought about a change from MLN to CN. Both the MLN and CN states were strongly influenced by gaze. The decreasing velocity MLN slow phase was also seen to change to a grossly extended slow phase during periods of visual disengagement. On occasions, these oscillations became a short burst of right-beating CN whenever the patient lost interest in the visual task. This is the first report of an adult subject who can exhibit either of two separate and sustained nystagmus states, an MLN or a CN, whenever the only eye is covered. Two explanations are offered to account for the presence of the two separate waveforms. Central to our interpretation is that the neural integrator has an eccentric null and that it is under a variable gain control. Furthermore, we propose that future models of nystagmus generation will need to include retinal image and attention control loops.     

Alteration of Vertical Dimension in the Treatment of Craniomandibular Disorders

The vertical dimension of occlusion can be an important factor to consider when treating symptoms of craniomandibular disorders. A case report is presented here in which a patient's vertical dimension was re-established to eliminate chronic, painful symptoms. Conservative long-term treatment was then completed at the re-established vertical dimension by fitting the patient with an overlay removable partial denture. The patient's symptoms were eliminated, and she has remained asymptomatic for more than one and a half years.