Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms in a cohort of Egyptian patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)

BACKGROUND

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by immune response dysregulations. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) plays a central role in immune checkpoint pathways and preventing autoimmune diseases by regulating immune tolerance. We aimed to explore the potential association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and ITP as well as study their impact on the response to therapy.

METHODS

We investigated two CTLA-4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs: 231775 and rs: 3087243) using real-time PCR as well as the plasma levels of CTLA-4 by ELISA in 88 patients with ITP and 44 healthy participants (HC).

RESULTS

CTLA-4 (rs: 3087243) A > G polymorphism analysis showed most HC had the homozygous AA genotype, which was statistically significant compared to patients with ITP. Plasma levels of CTLA4 were statistically lower in patients with acute ITP. There was no correlation between CTLA-4 (rs: 231775 and rs: 3087243) A/G SNPs were not correlated to the response to all lines of therapy assessed (corticosteroids, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, splenectomy, and rituximab).

CONCLUSION

CTLA-4 CT 60 A/G may affect the susceptibility of ITP, but both CTLA-4 + 49 A/G and CT60 A/G did not impact the response of patients with ITP to different lines of therapy.

IL-4Rα (rs1801275) A>G polymorphism in Egyptian immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients: a single center experience

INTRODUCTION

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) is characterized by dysregulation of the immune response. Until recently, the role of Th2-related cytokine gene polymorphisms was unclear. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) exerts its functions by binding to three types of IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) complexes. We aimed to explore the potential association between the gene polymorphism of IL-4Rα and cITP.

METHODS

We investigated the clinical impact of the IL-4Rα (rs1801275) A>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 82 cITP patients and 60 healthy controls (HCs).

RESULTS

The IL-4Rα (rs1801275) A>G polymorphism analysis showed the mutant GG genotype was significantly higher in control females (p = 0.033). The wild AA genotype had a higher bleeding score (p = 0.02) in the adulthood onset group. Furthermore, the wild AA genotype in the cITP childhood onset group was significantly associated with the disease severity, as well as the response to treatment (p = 0.040).

CONCLUSION

The mutant G allele is protective against the susceptibility to cITP in the Egyptian females. The IL-4Rα (rs1801275) A>G polymorphism may affect the clinical severity of cITP and treatment response in the Egyptian population.

Albuminuria as a predictor of mortality in type II diabetic patients after living-donor liver transplantation

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality after liver resection. Albuminuria is associated with a higher risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This study evaluated albuminuria as a predictor of the outcome of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with pre-existing DM.

METHODS

This retrospective study involved 103 type II diabetic patients with end-stage liver disease who received LDLT. Preoperative spot urine albumin: creatinine ratio was used to determine the degree of albuminuria. The primary outcome measure was the impact of urinary albumin excretion on the 3-year mortality rate after LDLT in this diabetic cohort.

RESULTS

Hepatitis C virus infection was the main cause of cirrhosis. Albuminuria was detected in 41 patients (39.8%); 15 had macroalbuminuria, while 26 had microalbuminuria. Patients with microalbuminuria were significantly older than those with macroalbuminuria and normal albumin in urine. After 3 years, twenty-four patients (23.3%) died within 3 years after LT. Myocardial infarction was the leading cause of death (25%). Albuminuria was an independent factor affecting 3-year mortality with an odds ratio of 5.17 (95% CI: 1.86-14.35).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative albuminuria is an independent factor affecting mortality within 3 years after LDLT in type II diabetic patients. Myocardial infarction was the leading cause of death in 25% of cases, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, sepsis, and graft failure.KEY MESSAGESDiabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality after liver resection.Albuminuria is associated with a higher risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.Preoperative albuminuria is a significant predictor of mortality within 3 years after LDLT in diabetic patients.

Hemostatic system and COVID-19 crosstalk: A review of the available evidence

Since the discovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its resultant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, respiratory manifestations have been the mainstay of clinical diagnosis, laboratory evaluations, and radiological investigations. As time passed, other pathological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 have been revealed. Various hemostatic abnormalities have been reported since the rise of the pandemic, which was sometimes superficial, transient, or fatal. Mild thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, venous, arterial thromboembolism, and disseminated intravascular coagulation are among the many hemostatic events associated with COVID-19. Venous thromboembolism necessitating therapeutic doses of anticoagulants is more frequently seen in severe cases of COVID-19, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units. Hemorrhagic complications rarely arise in COVID-19 patients either due to a hemostatic imbalance resulting from severe disease or as a complication of over anticoagulation. Although the pathogenesis of coagulation disturbance in SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet understood, professional societies recommend prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in severe cases, especially in the presence of abnormal coagulation indices. The review article discusses the various available evidence on coagulation disorders, management strategies, outcomes, and prognosis associated with COVID-19 coagulopathy, which raises awareness about the importance of anticoagulation therapy for COVID-19 patients to guard against possible thromboembolic events.

Improvement of Pancreatic Steatosis and Indices of Insulin Resistance After Metabolic Surgery

Purpose

Obesity is associated with fat accumulation in ectopic sites such as the pancreas, the so-called pancreatic steatosis (PS). Bariatric surgery has been shown to be associated with reducing pancreatic fat. This study investigated the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on pancreatic volume and its fat content and glucose homeostasis.

Methods

The study enrolled 54 patients subjected to LSG. Metabolic variables and pancreatic exocrine function were assessed immediately before surgery and 12 months after. MRI of the abdomen was performed to measure pancreatic fat content and its total volume and visceral adipose tissue (VAT).

Results

Surgery resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and BMI. HbA1c, fasting insulin, C-peptide levels, HOMA-IR, and Hs-CRP levels decreased significantly. Surgery resulted in significant improvement in lipid profile except for HDL-cholesterol and liver function tests. Total VAT volume decreased significantly. Total pancreas volume decreased by a mean of 9.0 cm³ (95% CI: 6.6–11.3). The median change of pancreatic fat was −26.1% (range: −55.6 to 58.3%). Pancreatic lipase decreased significantly (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of total weight loss and decrease in pancreatic fat volume (r = 0.295, P = 0.030).

Conclusion

Weight loss after LSG is associated with a reduction of total VAT volume, total pancreatic volume, and pancreatic fat content. These changes are associated with improved glucose homeostasis, reduced systemic inflammation, and decreased pancreatic lipase secretion.

Sarcoidosis beyond pulmonary involvement: A case series of unusual presentations

Unusual presentations of sarcoidosis pose a diagnostic challenge and warrant attention. Hematologic associations: Case 1 (37-years-old male): Pancytopenia: myelofibrosis (leading to sepsis and mortality) following a two-year quiescent course of biopsy-proven-sarcoidosis. Case 2: (38-years-old male): Presentation with thrombocytopenia (5 × 10³/cmm): immune thrombocytopenic purpura (histologically associated with megakaryocytic emperipolesis). Biopsied enlarged lymph nodes demonstrated sarcoidosis. Hematologic sarcoid involvement is usually due to granulomatous bone marrow (3.9%) or splenic infiltration (6–30%); however, the presented manifestations are scarcely reported with a potential significance that is yet to be elucidated. Case 3: Neurologic presentation: 48-years-old female: presentation with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and facial palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed leptomeningeal thickening. Biopsied enlarged lymph nodes showed sarcoidosis. Case 4: Neurologic and renal manifestations: 13-years-old male (family history of sarcoidosis): Presenting with acute headache, investigations showed elevated serum creatinine (2.1 mg/dL) and angiotensin converting enzyme, and computed tomography chest and abdominal findings characteristic of sarcoidosis. Associated benign increased intracranial and acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (with eosinophils) were diagnosed upon concordant workup. Of sarcoidosis neurologic affection (5–10%), cranial nerve(s) involvement is among the most common (25–50% of neurosarcoid affection), particularly that of the facial nerve (Case 3). Leptomeningeal enhancement is among the most common neurosarcoid radiologic findings (30–40%). Whereas benign increased intracranial tension (Case 4) is much less reported. Among sarcoidosis renal involvement (35–50%), interstitial nephritis usually presents with granulomatous renal lesions, yet its sole association with sarcoidosis is unusual (Case 4). The portrayed atypical hematologic, neurologic, and renal manifestations further emphasize the masquerading nature of sarcoidosis.

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Although hematologic involvement in sarcoidosis is usually due to granulomatous infiltration of the bone marrow or spleen and/or hypersplenism, associations with hematologic neoplasms or myelodysplastic syndromes have been reported. However, coexisting myelofibrosis (presented in our first patient) is much less reported and raises interest.

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We present a patient with coexistent with ITP (case 2) that was further histologically associated with megakaryocytic emperipolesis. The significance of this association is yet to be elucidated.

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Cranial nerve(s) involvement is among the most widely neurosarcoid manifestations reported which was demonstrated in our third patient. Brain MRI showing evidence of leptomeningeal enhancement which is among the most common radiologic findings of neurosarcoidosis.

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A juvenile-onset patient with a family history of sarcoidosis manifested with benign increased intracranial tension (ICT) and renal affection in the form of tubulointerstitial nephritis. Unlike cranial nerve affection, benign ICT is a rarely reported neurosarcoid manifestation, and renal involvement is usually due to hypercalcemia or granulomatous involvement with or without tubulointerstitial nephritis.

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Although unusual presentations warrant attention as the pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, they should be prudently interpreted.

Incidence of Silent Thrombosis in Patients Younger Than 60 Years With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Single-Center Egyptian Study

BACKGROUND

Identification of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation even in absence of myeloproliferative disorders (MPNs) was found to be related to venous thromboembolism occurrence. Venous thrombosis screening is not routinely requested in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms unless the patient is symptomatic. It has been reported that the incidence of thrombosis in elderly patients is much higher than in young patients. The aim of this work was to screen MPN patients for venous thrombosis and study its correlation with JAK2 allele burden and with MPN 10 score.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 73 patients with JAK2-positive MPN from our Hematology Clinic in the period August 2015 to Feb 2017. All patients had been screened for thrombosis in the venous system in lower limbs (LLs), upper limbs, portal, and mesenteric systems using color Doppler ultrasound imaging.

RESULTS

Fifty-three (72.6%) patients were younger than 60 years. Twenty-two (30%) had essential thrombocytosis, 35 (47.9%) had polycythemia rubra vera, and 16 (22%) had idiopathic myelofibrosis. Twenty-seven venous thrombotic attacks were reported in 22 (30.1%) patients. Five (6.8%) had thrombosis in 2 sites. Seventeen (23%) had superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis. Six (8%) had iliofemoral (8%) and 4 (5%) had combined LL and portal thrombosis. Eight (10.8%) had active thrombosis at screening. Only 3 patients (4%) were symptomatic with abdominal pain during screening. Pruritis (P = .02) and abdominal pain (P = .039) were significantly different between cases with and without thrombosis. There was no significant difference in MPN 10 score between cases with active or previous thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

We recommend routine screening for venous thrombosis in any case of MPN when diagnosed and screening for MPNs in any patient with venous thrombosis especially of the portal vein or atypical sites. If MPN patients present with increasing pruritus or abdominal pain, they also should be screened for venous thrombosis. Further research on a large scale in MPN age groups younger than 60 years regarding pathogenesis of thrombosis is highly recommended.