Browsing by Author "Djukic, Slobodanka (6603568490)"

Background The role of pet exposure in childhood asthma and allergy is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pet-keeping during different periods of childhood and asthma and sensitization in school children. Methods One hundred and forty-nine children aged between 7 and 14 years were enrolled in this study. Seventy-four children had current physician-diagnosed asthma, while 75 children did not have asthma. Pet-keeping was investigated by questionnaire. Allergic sensitization to pet allergen was assessed on skin prick tests and specific serum IgE concentration. Logistic regression analysis was performed, taking into account potential confounders. Results Early, past and current pet-keeping was not significantly associated with asthma. Neither owning a cat nor dog during childhood was associated with asthma. Early pet-keeping, however, was significantly associated with sensitization to pet allergens (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 24.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.28-177.27). Further analysis showed that only early cat-keeping was significantly associated with sensitization to cat allergen (aOR, 51.59; 95%CI: 2.28-1167.07). Keeping a cat or a dog after the first year of life was not associated with sensitization to those allergens. Conclusions Keeping a cat or a dog does not increase risk for asthma. Keeping a cat in the first year of life, however, increases risk of sensitization to cat allergen. Considering that this is a relatively small study, larger, prospective, birth cohort studies are required in Serbia to accurately assess the relationship between pet-keeping, asthma and sensitization. Pediatrics International © 2013 Japan Pediatric Society.

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[No abstract available]

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children, and it has been associated with wheezing. The aim of this study was to examine the serum level of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and to analyse them in relation to the presence of wheezing. Methods: The study included 166 children with radiologically confirmed pneumonia. MP infection was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum MP-IgM and MP-IgG test and throat swab MP DNA with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were measured using ELISA. Results: There was no significant difference in serum level of IL-4 between children with MPP and those with non-MPP. Among children with MPP, we found similar level of IL-4 regardless of the personal and family history of allergy and asthma or the presence of wheezing. A significantly higher level of IL-10 was found in children with MPP than in children with non-MPP (32.92±18.582 vs. 27.01±14.100 pg/ml, p =0.022). Furthermore, wheezing children with MPP had a significantly higher level of IL-10 than children with MPP without wheezing (43.75±26.644 vs. 27.50±10.211 pg/ml, p=0.027). Conclusion: Our results show significantly increased serum level of IL-10 in children with MPP, which was significantly higher in children with wheezing. These findings may suggest a role of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of MPP and in the occurrence of wheezing during acute MP infection. © The Author [2016]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy on oxygenation and mortality in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thirty-three children with ARDS and an arterial SatO2 <88% despite mechanical ventilation were analyzed. Patients in the iNO group were prospectively enrolled and treated with conventional therapy plus iNO. The control group consisted of retrospectively analyzed patients treated only with conventional therapy. A significant increase in PaO2/FiO2 ratio (25.6%) and decrease in oxygenation index (19.5%) was observed after 4 h of iNO treatment, when compared to baseline values. A positive response to iNO was detected in 69% of patients, and there was no difference between pulmonary and extrapulmonary ARDS. There was no difference in mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation between iNO and control group.

Chlamydiae are Gram-negative, non-motile, obligate intracellular, and spherically shaped bacteria with a diameter of 0.2-1.5 μm. Chlamydiae are present in several different morphological forms: the elementary body, the reticular body, and in the last several years, there has been the observation of a third form known as the persistent or atypical form. The intracellular localization of Chlamydia provides a unique replication cycle that occurs inside a membrane-surrounded vacuole in the host cell cytoplasm and is significantly different from the method of multiplication of other microorganisms. Chlamydiae are capable of manipulating different signalling pathways inside the infected cell, thus avoiding the host immune response. This ensures intracellular multiplication, survival, and long-term persistence of Chlamydiae. There are two basic means of achieving this persistence: inhibition of apoptosis and manipulation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B)-mediated signals in the host. © 2016, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with CAP and find clinical, radiological and laboratory features helpful to diagnose Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Furthermore, we evaluated the value of serology, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and culture for the accurate diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.; METHODS: The study included 166 children aged between 1 and 15 years with radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Throat swab specimens were cultured and assessed by RT-PCR for the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgM and IgG antibodies were determined using ELISA in paired sera.; RESULTS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia was diagnosed in 14.5% CAP cases. Cough (p=0.029), headache (p=0.001) and wheezing (p=0.036) were more frequent in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia compared to children with pneumonia caused by other pathogens. Logistic regression analysis showed that headache (odds ratio [OR] =36.077, p=0.001) and wheezing (OR=5.681, p=0.003) were significantly associated with MP pneumonia. Neither radiological findings, nor common laboratory parameters distinguished Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with CAP. Using IgG serology in paired sera as the gold standard, we found that sensitivity of IgM serology, RT-PCR and culture was equal (81.82%), while specificity values were 100%, 98.6% and 100% respectively. We observed that combination of IgM detection in acute-phase serum and RT-PCR was positive for 91.7% of cases with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.; CONCLUSIONS: There are no characteristic radiological findings, or routine laboratory tests that would distinguish CAP caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae from other CAP. It was found that clinical features such as headache and wheezing are indicative for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Furthermore, it was found that during the acute phase of disease, detection of IgM antibodies in combination with RT-PCR allows for precise and reliable diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children.

We report on pediatric patient with Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), a rare DNA repair disorder characterized by microcephaly, immunodeficiency and predisposition to malignant lymphomas, who developed juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-like polyarthritis. In patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID), septic arthritis due to pyogenic bacteria or mycoplasmal arthritis are the most common osteoarticular manifestations. In certain PID, chronic, non-infectious arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis may occur. In our patient microbiologic cultures of synovial fluid including Mycoplasma spp. were negative. At first, because of suspected mycoplasmal arthritis we used macrolides and doxycycline combined with hydroxychloroquine but without therapeutic response. However, the use of rituximab led to remission of her polyarthritis lasting for 9 months. Autoimmune features were rarely reported in NBS. An occurrence of JIA-like, chronic polyarthritis in NBS, a DNA repair disorder characterized by decreased tolerance of immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate and a high natural risk for lymphomas, makes therapeutic approach even more complex. © 2013 Pasic et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.