Central nervous system vasculitis after chickenpox - cause or coincidence?

Article Abstract:

Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious infection caused by varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox may be complicated by disorders of the nervous system, such as meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord). A case is described of a seven-year-old boy who developed cerebral vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, 10 weeks after the onset of chickenpox. The cerebral vasculitis resulted in acute aphasia (impaired ability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs due to impaired brain function), and hemiplegia, paralysis of one-half of the body. The boy had a history of seizure and was admitted to the hospital because of abnormalities in blood flow within the brain, which resulted in an infarct, or area of deteriorating tissue. The varicella-zoster virus was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and vasculitis was demonstrated by X-ray of the brain blood vessels. The boy was readmitted seven months later due to worsening of seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnostic method in which electromagnetic energy is used to provide images of the brain and large blood vessels, revealed an increase in the infarct area but improvement in vasculitis. Infection of the CSF with the varicella-zoster virus remained evident. The relation between chickenpox and the development of vasculitis remains unclear and could only be confirmed by biopsy of tissue sampling of the brain. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Central nervous system diseases, Vasculitis, Chickenpox

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Small, dense low-density lipoprotein particles and coronary heart disease risk: a clear association with uncertain implications

Article Abstract:

It may be too soon to recommend measuring the size of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles to determine a person's risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). Several studies have found that small, dense LDL particles are associated with an increased risk of CHD. However, these small LDL particles often occur along with elevated triglyceride levels, which are also linked to CHD. It may be impossible to separate the two, or to determine if small dense LDL particles are a marker for some other risk factor.

Health aspects, Editorial, Coronary heart disease, Low density lipoproteins, Triglycerides

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Effect of a high-fat ketogenic diet on plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins in children

Article Abstract:

The ketogenic diet that is used to treat children with severe seizures may increase their risk of developing heart disease by increasing blood cholesterol levels, according to a study of 141 children. A ketogenic diet contains high amounts of fat and low amounts of protein and carbohydrate. This produces substances in the body called ketones.

Physiological aspects, Diet therapy, Seizures (Medicine), Hypercholesterolemia in children, Pediatric hypercholesterolemia, Ketogenic diet, High fat diet

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