engleski

Plasma cholinesterase activity in children with infective endocarditis

Introduction: Although pre-existing heart disease in children is the most frequent predisposing factor for infective endocarditis (IE), we reporte 6 children of IE with no apparent pre-existing cardiac disease. Patients and methods: Our study included six patients with acquired infection from central catheter ; the microbial pathogens were Streptococcus viridans (n=3) and Staphyloccocus aureus (n=3). The diagnosis of IE was based on positive blood culture (2 positive cultures of blood samples drawn > 12 hours), evidence of endocardial involvement (positive ECHO), measuring raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) activity. We measured PChE activity (µmol minˉ¹mlˉ¹) in children with IE (group A, n=6) and in IE-free children (group B, n=10). For determination of PChE activity vein blood samples were collected and stored at -20°C until analyzed. PChE activity was determined by the spectrophotometric method of Ellman using butyryltiocholine as the substract (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Luis, Mo, USA). Statistical analysis was made by Student’s t-test. Results: In group A of examined children with IE we measured decreased PChE activity (1, 89 ± 0, 24) relation to patients of control group B (3, 97 ± 0, 20). Conclusion: Our study indicates that PChE activity can be also an important parameter for the diagnosis of IE.

plasma cholinesterase; children; infective endocarditis

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