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Background Vitamin D has multiple effects on the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin D has immunomodulation effects that are able to decrease the inflammatory reaction included in the bronchial asthma; thus, it plays an important effect in the asthma pathogenesis. Low serum magnesium level is associated with impaired lung function and bronchial hyperreactivity. Study design This is a prospective hospital-based study. Objective To evaluate serum levels of vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium in patients with stable bronchial asthma and their relation to asthma severity. Patients and methods A total of 65 adult patients with stable bronchial asthma and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. After clinical history taking and examination, pulmonary function tests were performed. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D], ionized calcium, and magnesium were measured in all participants. Results The mean serum levels of 25(OH)D, magnesium, and ionized calcium were significantly lower in patients with stable asthma than control participants (P

SETTING: Little is known on the occurrence of pulmonary fungal diseases in patients with fungal rhino-sinusitis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of pulmonary fungal diseases in patients with FS. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was done for 44 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria (sinus CT, microbiological and histopathologically). All patients were assessed for pulmonary symptoms, chest X- ray, CT scan, routine lab study, and Broncho-alveolar lavage. Detection of fungal hyphae, fungal culture, skin prick tests, total and specific IgE were done to all cases. RESULTS: The mean age of patients were 32.5±13.2 with 21 (48%) male and 23 (52%) female. Categorization of FS into allergic FS 24 (54.5%), fungus ball 16 (36.4%), acute fulminant FS 3 cases (6.8%) and chronic invasive sinusitis 1 (2.3%). Asthma was present in 11 cases 6 (25%) in AFS, 4 (25%) in fungal ball, and 1 (33%) in AFFS. Eleven cases (25%) had chest symptoms as cough and wheeze in all cases, malaise 7 cases (16%), dyspnea in 6 cases (14%), weight loss in 3 cases (7%) and expectoration of golden brown cast in 2 cases (5%). Six patients (14%) had radiological involvement. Three cases (6%) in allergic FS category only had the diagnostic criteria for SAM one case of them had ABPA plus AFS and pulmonary fungus ball. One patient was in acute stage I, second was in stage III corticosteroid dependant state, and third was in stage 1V of exacerbation with high total, specific IgE for aspergillus fumigates. CONCLUSION: Evaluation for pulmonary fungal infection especially in patients with fungal rhino sinusitis is highly recommended. There is an urgent need to treat it early to decrease morbidity and mortality of the diseases.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in elderly is a worldwide problem. Objective: To evaluate differences in clinical, radiological, laboratory features, adverse antituberculosis drug reactions and TB-related mortality in elderly and young pulmonary TB patients. Results: The study included analysis of the medical history, chest radiographic and laboratory findings in 124 elderly and 124 young pulmonary TB patients, with mean age of 60.5 ± 9.1 and 31.6 ± 10.8 years, respectively (p