Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in host defense by upregulating both innate and acquired immune responses. Analysis of IL 18 polymorphisms may be clinically important since their roles have been recognized in a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. However, the role of this cytokine polymorphisms in kidney transplant still remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the associations between IL 18 polymorphisms and graft function assessed by creatinine clearance in kidney transplant recipients. A total of 82 kidney transplant recipients and 183 healthy controls were enrolled, and frequencies of alleles, genotypes and haplotypes for IL 18 polymorphisms were determined and compared with creatinine clearance. The -607C/A (rs1946518) and -137C/G (rs187238) variant alleles in the 18 gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction. In our study, no significant association was found between the IL 18 variants and creatinine clearance (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, polymorphism analysis revealed an increase in the frequency of the IL18 major haplotype -607C/-137G in kidney transplant patients (odds ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval 1.45-4.55, p = 0.0014). Finally, we found that IL 18 polymorphisms did not influence the renal function and that IL18 haplotype -607C/-137G seems to be associated with kidney transplant recipients.

A síndrome do pterígio poplíteo é uma condição congênita rara, que envolve anomalias craniofaciais, geniturinárias e de extremidades. As características mais marcantes dessa síndrome são o pterígio poplíteo e uma dobra de pele triangular sobre a unha do hálux. Neste trabalho, é apresentado o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, com um mês de idade, apresentando fendas labiais superiores e inferiores, fenda palatal, bolsa escrotal bífida, sindactilia de pododáctilos, pterígio poplíteo e dobra de pele sobre a unha do hálux. O paciente foi submetido a diversas intervenções cirúrgicas, visando à correção das anomalias. Dentre as malformações, a mais difícil de ser corrigida é a relacionada aos membros inferiores, sendo necessária abordagem conjunta com a equipe de ortopedia, na tentativa de evitar enxertos nervosos e déficits funcionais. A síndrome do pterígio poplíteo, quando tratada no momento apropriado e por equipe multidisciplinar, apresenta bom prognóstico.

Popliteal pterygium syndrome is a rare congenital condition involving craniofacial and genitourinary anomalies as well as malformation of the extremities. The most obvious characteristics of this syndrome are popliteal pterygium and a triangular crease of skin over the hallux. In this study, we present the case of a 1-month-old male patient with cleft upper and lower lips, cleft palate, bifid scrotum, syndactyly, popliteal pterygium, and a crease of skin over the hallux nail. The patient underwent several surgical interventions aimed at correcting these anomalies. Malformation of the lower limbs was the most difficult anomaly to correct; correction of this anomaly required further combined effort with an orthopedics team in order to avoid nerve grafts and functional deficits. When popliteal pterygium syndrome is treated in a timely and appropriate manner by a multidisciplinary team, a good prognosis is observed.