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PubMed1996

Clinical evaluation of the Roche AMPLICOR PCR Mycobacterium tuberculosis test for detection of M. tuberculosis in respiratory specimens.

The reliability of the Roche AMPLICOR Mycobacterium tuberculosis test (AMPLICOR MTB) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was evaluated by testing 956 respiratory specimens from 502 patients and comparing results with results by culture and medical history. Of those 135 specimens that were culture positive for mycobacteria, 61 specimens from 31 patients grew M. tuberculosis. Fifty-two specimens were smear positive for acid-fast bacteria (AFB); M. tuberculosis was isolated from 41 of these specimens. On initial testing, the sensitivity and specificity of the AMPLICOR MTB assay, compared with culture, were 78.7 and 99.3%, respectively. After resolution of discrepancies (by review of medical history), the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the AMPLICOR MTB assay were 79.4, 99.6, 92.6, and 98.6%, respectively. Two specimens from two patients with no clinical evidence of tuberculosis were AMPLICOR MTB positive and culture positive for Mycobacterium avium complex. For AFB smear-positive specimens, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of AMPLICOR MTB were 97.6, 100, 100, and 90.9%, respectively. For AFB smear-negative specimens, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of AMPLICOR MTB were 40.0, 99.5, 69.2, and 98.7%, respectively. Our results support the use of AMPLICOR MTB for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients whose respiratory specimens are AFB smear positive. Further studies are needed to determine the most clinically relevant and cost-effective use of this assay with AFB smear-negative specimens.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of PCR- and hybrid capture-based human papillomavirus detection systems using multiple cervical specimen collection strategies.

This study compared the performances of three human papillomavirus (HPV) detection tests with specimens collected by three alternative procedures. The HPV tests included the Hybrid Capture Tube test (HCT), the microplate-based Hybrid Capture II test (HC II), and the MY09-MY11 L1 consensus primer PCR-based assay. Initial cervical specimens were collected from study subjects with a broom device, and after Papanicolaou smears were made, residual specimens were placed into PreservCyt (PC), a liquid cytology medium. A second specimen was collected from each subject and placed into Digene Specimen Transport Medium (STM). The device for collection of the second specimen alternated with consecutive subjects between a conical cytology brush and a Dacron swab. At the 1.0-pg/ml cutoff, the results of the HC II agreed well with those of the PCR. Specifically, when PCR data were restricted to the types found by the HC II (HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68), there was greater than 90% agreement between the HC II and PCR results with both STM and PC. At a lower cutoff (0.2 pg/ml), HC II-positive results increased further, especially when the test was applied to the PC specimens. However, false-positive HC II results were more often observed at the 0.2-pg/ml cutoff. HC II yielded the highest HPV positivity with specimens placed into PC, followed by specimens collected with a conical brush and placed into STM and, last, by those collected with a Dacron swab and placed into STM. Our results demonstrate the utility of both the STM and PC specimen collection methods and show good agreement between the HC II and PCR.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a commercially available reverse transcription-PCR assay for diagnosis of enteroviral infection in archival and prospectively collected cerebrospinal fluid specimens.

A commercially available reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method (AMPLICOR EV; Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, N.J.) was evaluated for detection of enteroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurological disease. This assay was compared with virus isolation in cell culture and an in-house RT-PCR method designed with a nonoverlapping region of the enteroviral genome. A panel of 200 cerebrospinal fluid specimens prospectively collected from patients with a wide variety of neurological symptoms, including 50 patients involved in three different outbreaks of acute aseptic meningitis, was assayed. A second panel of 97 archived cerebrospinal fluid specimens, stored for 2 to 5 years, from patients with aseptic meningitis associated with several enterovirus outbreaks was also studied. From the first panel, enteroviruses were detected in 13 of 50 specimens by cell culture (26%), in 43 of 50 specimens by AMPLICOR EV (86%), and in 46 of 50 specimens by the in-house assay (92%) from patients with aseptic meningitis associated with outbreak and 1 of 29, 3 of 29, and 4 of 29 specimens, respectively, from sporadic cases of aseptic meningitis. The remaining 121 cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with other neurological syndromes were negative by all tests. From the second panel, enteroviral RNA was detected by the AMPLICOR test (31 of 97 specimens, 32%) and the in-house assay (39 of 97 specimens, 40%). According to our results, patients with aseptic meningitis should be analyzed for enteroviral infection in cerebrospinal fluid by RT-PCR methods, and the AMPLICOR EV test is a suitable tool for performing such studies. Archival cerebrospinal fluid specimens are less suitable for evaluation of the performance of RT-PCR methods designed for enterovirus detection.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Confirmation of low-titer, herpes simplex virus-positive specimen results by the enzyme-linked virus-inducible system (ELVIS) using PCR and repeat testing.

The ELVIS HSV Id test kit (an enzyme-linked virus-inducible system) (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.) uses genetically engineered BHK cells to produce a detectable enzyme, beta-galactosidase, upon infection with either herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) or HSV-2. Twenty six ELVIS-positive clinical specimens were selected for study by PCR and with monoclonal antibodies because they were originally low-titer HSV-positive specimens by ELVIS but HSV antibody nonreactive upon follow-up staining of the ELVIS monolayer. Twenty-one of 26 specimens were frozen, thawed, and retested with ELVIS without removing the cellular debris from the specimen; 18 were ELVIS positive and 3 were ELVIS negative on retesting. A typing result was provided upon retesting for 14 of 18 ELVIS-positive specimens (11 were HSV-1 and 3 were HSV-2) with HSV-specific monoclonal antibodies; no antibody signal was observed for 4 of 18 ELVIS-positive specimens. Sixteen of 26 specimens were subjected to blinded PCR analysis with two different primer sets, including all those that were repeat tested with ELVIS without success and those that had insufficient quantity for repeat testing. All 16 specimens analyzed were PCR positive with primer set 1; 15 of 16 were also positive with primer set 2, with the HSV type identified for all specimens (7 were HSV-1 and 8 were HSV-2). These results indicate that the original ELVIS result with these low-titer specimens was correct and further confirm the sensitivity and specificity of ELVIS HSV Id as a rapid, cell culture-based kit for the detection of HSV.

Herpes Genitalis↗
PubMed1989

An outbreak of Mycobacterium terrae in clinical specimens associated with a hospital potable water supply.

We investigated an increase in the number of patient specimens yielding Mycobacterium terrae in 1986, isolation of M. terrae was associated with specimens obtained from inpatients at our new hospital, but not with specimens referred from other hospitals [37(+)/144 inpatient specimens versus 2(+)/26 referred specimens, p less than 0.05]. By October 31, 1987, we had identified 163 positive specimens from 131 patients. All M. terrae were isolated from specimens obtained from non-sterile sites, i.e., respiratory, gastrointestinal, or urine. No clinical disease related to M. terrae occurred. Review of procedures and cultures of solutions used in the Microbiology Laboratory suggested the source of M. terrae was not in the Microbiology Laboratory. An analysis of case location showed an association with hospital tier (p less than 0.05), a pattern matching the design of the potable water system of the hospital. M. terrae was cultured from multiple outlets of this system. There appeared to be multiple modes of transmission of M. terrae from this reservoir. Control measures included avoidance of water sources during specimen collection and hyperchlorination of the potable water system. These measures appeared to result in the disappearance of M. terrae from subsequent clinical specimens. We believe this to be the first report defining the epidemiologic aspects of M. terrae contaminating clinical specimens.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1991

[Phenolic constituents of licorice. IV. Correlation of phenolic constituents and licorice specimens from various sources, and inhibitory effects of licorice extracts on xanthine oxidase and monoamine oxidase].

The roots and/or rhizomes of Glychyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra and G. inflata, and commercial licorice specimens from various regions or countries were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and classified into three types based on their phenolic constituents. i) Type A: The roots and rhizomes of G. uralensis, commercial licorice specimens from northwestern region of China (Seihoku-kanzo) and from northeastern region of China (Tohoku-kanzo) in Japanese markets, and also several licorice specimens from Chinese markets. They contain licopyranocoumarin (6), glycycoumarin (7) and/or licocoumarone (8), which were not found in G. glabra and G. inflata. ii) Type B: The root and rhizome of G. glabra, and the licorice specimens imported from the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. They contain glabridin (9) and glabrene (10), which were not found in the samples of the other two Glycyrrhiza species. A root sample of Glycyrrhiza species from Turkey also contains 9 and 10. iii) Type C: The root sample of G. inflata. They contain licochalcones A (11) and B (12), which were not found in the samples of the other two Glycyrrhiza species. Commercial licorice specimens obtained in Japan, which were imported from Sinkiang of China (Shinkyo-kanzo), and some licorice specimens obtained from Chinese markets, have also been found to contain 11 and 12. The phenolics 6-12, characteristic constituents of types A, B or C, were not found in a specimen of cortex-free licorice from a Japanese market (kawasari-kanzo). Extracts of some licorice specimens of types A and B, and all of the licorice specimens of type C inhibited 40-56% of the xanthine oxidase activity at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml. Extracts of some licorice specimens of types A and B also showed inhibitory effects on monoamine oxidase (44-64% inhibition, at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml), which were slightly weaker than that of harmane hydrochloride.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2006

A comparison of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization for the detection of lung cancer in bronchoscopic specimens.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative sensitivity and specificity of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the detection of lung cancer in bronchoscopically obtained specimens. DESIGN: Cytology and FISH were performed on brushing and washing specimens obtained from patients undergoing bronchoscopy for suspected lung cancer. FISH utilized the LAVysion probe set (Abbott Molecular; Des Plaines, IL), which contains locus-specific probes to 5p15, 7p12 (EGFR), 8q24 (C-MYC), and a centromeric probe to chromosome 6. SETTING: Single-center, academic, tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-seven patients referred for bronchoscopy for suspicion of lung cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Cytology and FISH were performed on bronchoscopic brushings and washings. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing bronchoscopy had pathology, FISH, and cytology results. FISH and cytology were performed on 123 washing and 78 brushing specimens. Sensitivities of FISH and cytology were 71% and 51% (p = 0.007), respectively, for brushing specimens, and 49% and 44% (p = 0.541) for washing specimens. When FISH and cytology results were combined, sensitivities were 75% and 61%, respectively, for brushing and washing specimens, which was significantly better (p < 0.001) than cytology alone. Specificities of FISH and cytology for patients with negative findings at the time of initial bronchoscopy were 83% and 100% (p = 0.125), respectively, for brushing specimens, and 95% and 100% (p = 0.500) for washing specimens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that FISH is significantly more sensitive than conventional cytology for detecting lung cancer in bronchial brushing specimens; when combined with cytology, FISH can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of detecting malignancy in bronchial brushing and washing specimens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of endoscopic and full-thickness biopsy specimens for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and alimentary tract lymphoma in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy (EB) specimens for diagnosis of alimentary tract lymphosarcoma in cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 22 cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or alimentary tract lymphosarcoma. PROCEDURES: Endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained during endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum immediately prior to laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery, during which full-thickness biopsy (FTB) specimens were obtained. Accuracy of histopathologic diagnoses was compared between EB and FTB specimens. RESULTS: Lymphosarcoma was diagnosed in 10 cats on the basis of FTB specimens. Lymphosarcoma was detected in the jejunum and ileum in all 10 cats, in the duodenum in 9 cats, and in the stomach in 4 cats. In the same 10 cats, EB findings indicated a diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in 3 cats and were suggestive but inconclusive for lymphosarcoma in 3 cats. Lymphosarcoma was correctly diagnosed via gastric EB specimens in 3 of the 4 cats with gastric lymphosarcoma but evaluation of EB specimens led to an incorrect diagnosis of IBD in 4 cats with small intestinal lymphosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EB specimens were useful for diagnosis of gastric lymphosarcoma but were not adequate for differentiating between IBD and lymphosarcoma in the small intestine. Because the most common sites of alimentary tract lymphosarcoma in cats are the jejunum and ileum, FTB specimens of those sites should be obtained via laparotomy or laparoscopy for accurate diagnosis. Laparoscopy may be a minimally invasive alternative to endoscopy and laparotomy for obtaining diagnostic biopsy specimens.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of cytofluorometric nuclear DNA ploidy analysis on fresh and paraffin embedded specimen.

The cytofluorometric nuclear DNA ploidy analysis was performed in gallbladder (GB) epithelium of eight patients of chronic cholecystitis to make a comparison between fresh and paraffin embedded tissue analysis, to make an ideal single cellular suspension, to evaluate the ploidy pattern affected by inflammation and to assess the histological correlations. Six (75%) fresh specimens and eight (100%) paraffin embedded specimens showed diploidy pattern of histogram. Two (25%) fresh specimens showed low ploidy pattern of histogram. There was a good correlation between histological findings and the ploidy patterns of 100% paraffin embedded specimens and 75% fresh specimens. The relative fluorescence intensity was found higher and more stable in paraffin embedded tissues than fresh tissues. Inflammation did not affect the ploidy patterns of paraffin embedded specimens whereas the ploidy patterns of fresh specimens were affected. It can be concluded that the DNA ploidy patterns and histological findings have a good correlation and inflammation does not affect the cytofluorometric DNA ploidy pattern when using the paraffin embedded specimens. Paraffin embedded specimens are superior to fresh specimens for making an ideal single cellular suspension to obtain stable, high, and accurate fluorescence intensity with less background fluorescence which makes the ploidy pattern behave like exact behavior of tissues.

Cholecystitis↗
PubMed2002

Coagulation profiles in neonates--if the specimen clots repeat the test.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine in two institutions the frequency of clotted coagulation profile specimens in neonatal patients, the proportion of patients who had the test repeated if the coagulation profile specimen clotted and the number of abnormal results in the tests that were repeated. METHODS: The number of neonatal coagulation profiles (i.e. prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time) were identified from the pathology databases at the Royal Women's Hospital and at the Mater Mother's Hospital. Each specimen that clotted and the number of tests that were repeated were identified and counted. Data from the tests that were repeated were analysed and compared with normal ranges for neonates. RESULTS: There were 746 specimens that were sent for a coagulation profile of which 45 (6.0%) clotted. Of the 45 clotted specimens, 31 (69%) were repeated. From the 31 repeated specimens, 6 clotted, 1 was an 'insufficient' specimen, and 24 were able to be processed. From the 24 processed specimens 17 (71%) had an abnormal result, 11 of which had a mildly elevated prothrombin time and the other six had a severe clotting abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: If a neonatal patient's coagulation profile specimen clots it should not be assumed that the infant's clotting is normal, and another specimen should be sent for analysis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Comparison of microscopy and EIA in the diagnosis of Giardia intestinalis in stool specimens.].

In this study; we compared the direct microscopic method and EIA test in the investigation of the stools of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who presented at clinics. A total of 188 stool specimens collected from clinics were investigated by direct microscopy using native-Lugol preparations. Giardia cysts and/or trophozoites were observed in 141 specimens. There were no Giardia cysts and/or trophozoites or any other intestinal parasites detected in the other 47 stool specimens. The RIDASCREENR EIA kit procedure was applied in all specimens. Out of 141 specimens positive with direct microscopy, 136 specimens were positive with the EIA test and 5 specimens, negative. Parasites were not found in 47 stool specimens with direct microscopy. Of these, 38 specimens were negative with the EIA test and 9 specimens, positive. When the patient and control groups were compared, a significant difference was observed between the two methods (p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the EIA method that was used to determine the antigenic properties of G. intestinalis in stools were 96.4% and 80.8%, respectively.

English Abstract↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Repair cells" in equine uterine cytologic and histologic specimens.

Cells resembling those known as "repair cells" in gynecologic cytology specimens from women were identified in uterine cytology specimens from infertile mares treated with antibiotics using indwelling uterine catheters. This prompted a study of the effect on the equine uterus of indwelling catheterization without antibiotic infusion, using light microscopic examination of cytologic and biopsy specimens and electron microscopic examination of biopsy specimens. Cytologic and biopsy specimens had features within normal limits at the start of the study. Following five days of indwelling catheterization, neutrophils were present in both cytologic and biopsy specimens. In cytologic specimens, numerous groups of "repair cells" were present; similar cells in biopsy specimens indicated this was a focal reaction. The large nuclei and prominent nucleoli of the "repair cells" suggested cellular proliferation or regeneration. However, this was contradicted by the ultrastructural sparsity of ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria. Inflammation and "repair cells" were not present in cytologic or biopsy specimens collected 40 days after the start of the study. Although these cells may be a component of a repair process, our results support the hypothesis that "repair cells" in human and equine gynecologic cytology specimens are injured, rather than regenerating, cells. The term dysphaneroplastic (Greek: "abnormal cytosol development") is proposed to describe these cells since the cytoplasm does not reflect the features of cellular activity suggested by the nuclear appearance.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of the Abbott TDx-radiative energy attenuation (REA) ethanol assay in a study of 1105 forensic whole blood specimens.

In a preliminary study to determine the applicability of the Abbott radiative energy attenuation (REA) method for the quantification of ethanol in whole blood specimens it was concluded that a larger number of samples was required to evaluate the method, particularly for use in forensic toxicology applications. In this study, 573 blood specimens from suspected driving while intoxicated individuals (DWI blood) and 532 postmortem blood specimens (PM blood) were analyzed by the REA method and a headspace gas chromatographic method (GC) currently used in this laboratory. "Negative" specimens (less than 10 mg/dL by GC) and "positive" specimens (greater than or equal to 10 mg/dL by GC) in each category were analyzed. Linear regression analysis comparing the REA values with the GC values was performed for each type of blood specimen. The equation obtained for DWI blood specimens was REA = 0.943 GC + 1.54; the equation for PM blood specimens was REA = 0.980 GC + 2.76. The correlation coefficient for each group was greater than 0.99. The data suggested that a limit of detection of 10 mg/dL could be applied for DWI blood specimens, while 20 mg/dL would be recommended as the limit of detection for PM blood specimens.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗
PubMed1994

[Efficacy of PCR-microwell plate hybridization method (Amplicor Mycobacterium) for detection of M. tuberculosis, M. avium and/or M. intracellulare in clinical specimens].

Recently, a new kit to detect and identify mycobacteria in clinical specimens was developed by Japan Roche Co. Limited. The new method is based on amplification of DNA of mycobacteria in clinical specimens by PCR and hybridization of amplified DNA by microwell plate hybridization method, which is the "Amplicor Mycobacteria, Roche, (AMP-M)". Cooperative study was organized with 15 tuberculosis hospitals and institutions throughout Japan, and 349 clinical specimens from newly admitted tuberculosis patients and/or suspects were collected during July and August, 1993. All the specimens were examined by smear microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen's staining), culture on Ogawa egg media, culture on variant 7H9 liquid media and by AMP-M. Excluding 25 specimens which had failed to identify the species of mycobacteria because of contamination, disability to multiply on the transplanted solid media and so on, the results of the examinations in 324 specimens consisting of 167 specimens from previously untreated cases and those of 157 specimens from previously treated cases were analysed. Main results obtained were as follows; 1. Of 70 smear positive specimens from previously untreated cases, culture positive on Ogawa media and 7H9 media, and by AMP-M positive were 59 (84.3%), 61 (87.1%) and 66 (94.3%), respectively. Of 97 smear negative specimens, culture positive were 20 (20.6%), 22 (22.7%) and 27 (27.8%), respectively. The AMP-M showed the highest positive rate in both groups. 2. The sensitivity and the specificity of AMP-M in previously untreated cases were calculated by assuming that positive on Ogawa and/or variant 7H9 media is "positive". The sensitivity was 95.8% (68/71) and the specificity was 94.8% (91/96) for M. tuberculosis in previously untreated cases. The sensitivity and the specificity for M. avium and M. intracellulare were all 100%, although the numbers observed were small. 3. So-called false positive of the AMP-M were observed in 5 cases out of 96 culture negatives on both Ogawa and variant 7H9 media. However, all 5 cases were positive by repeated AMP-M, 3 become culture positive later, and another 2 showed clinical findings consistent with tuberculosis. Hence, the authors considered that the false positive rate of the AMP-M method is to be very low in previously untreated cases. 4. Of 86 smear positive cases with history of previous chemotherapy, the positive culture on Ogawa media, variant 7H9 media and that by AMP-M method were 64 (74.4%), 77 (89.5%) and 85 (98.8%), respectively. In the smear negative cases, culture positive was 10 out of 71 (14.1%), 13 (18.3%) and 24 (33.8%), respectively.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Do prognostic marker studies on core needle biopsy specimens of breast carcinoma accurately reflect the marker status of the tumor?

Core needle biopsies (CNB) are often used for the diagnosis of breast lesions. In some breast cancer patients, e.g., those treated with preoperative chemotherapy, the CNB specimen might be the only pretreatment tissue sample available for studies of prognostic and predictive markers. Our purpose was to evaluate whether marker studies performed on CNB specimens accurately reflect the marker status of the tumor. Immunostaining for five commonly used prognostic and predictive markers was performed on both CNB and subsequent excision specimens from 56 consecutive patients who had a CNB with carcinoma followed by excision of the tumor. None of the patients received radiotherapy or chemotherapy between the CNB and the excision. Paraffin sections of the CNB and excision specimens were immunostained for bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), c-erbB-2, and p53. These markers were scored as positive or negative. Microvessel density (MVD) was scored as a continuous variable on sections immunostained for Factor VIII-related antigen by calculating the average number of microvessels in three 224x fields of highest tumor vascularity ("hot spots"). Immunostaining results for bcl-2, ER, c-erbB-2, and p53 on the CNB and the corresponding excision specimens were 100% concordant. Although there was significant correlation between MVD on the CNB specimens and the corresponding excisions (r = 0.507, P = 0.0002), the mean MVD on the CNB and corresponding excision specimens differed by more than 10% in 85.7% of cases, with differences ranging from 4.3 to 233.3%. MVD was higher in the CNB than in the excision specimens in 30 (61.2%) of 49 cases. In conclusion, in all of the cases studied, accurate results for the dichotomously scored markers bcl-2, ER, c-erbB-2, and p53 were obtained on CNB specimens. In contrast, in most cases, MVD, which was scored as a continuous variable, could not be reliably assessed on the CNB specimen.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of fresh versus sodium acetate acetic acid formalin preserved stool specimens for diagnosis of intestinal protozoal infections.

The use of sodium acetate acetic acid formalin (SAF)-preserved stool specimens was compared with that of nonpreserved specimens for the recovery of intestinal protozoa. A total of 247 patients, 170 with diarrhea of more than one week's duration and 77 refugees, were asked to collect a stool specimen. Each specimen was placed into two vials, one empty, the other containing SAF fixative. Laboratory investigations included microscopic examination of the concentrated sediment and direct wet smears from both types of stool specimens and the microscopic examination of a permanent stained smear from the unsedimented, SAF-preserved stool specimens. Examination of SAF-preserved stool specimens revealed intestinal protozoa in 149 of the 247 patients. With the conventional procedure using unpreserved stool specimens, intestinal protozoa were found in 89 of the 247 patients. The results show that the examination of SAF-preserved stool specimens, consisting of the microscopic examination of both the concentrated sediment and the permanent stained smear from the unsedimented material, increases the chance of recovering intestinal protozoa as compared to the conventional procedure.

Acetates↗
PubMed2006

CT imaging of wet specimens from a pathology museum: How to build a "virtual museum" for radiopathological correlation teaching.

X-rays and CT have been used to examine specimens such as human remains, mummies and formalin-fixed specimens. However, CT has not been used to study formalin-fixed wet specimens within their containers. The purpose of our study is firstly to demonstrate the role of CT as a non-destructive imaging method for the study of wet pathological specimens and secondly to use the CT data as a method for teaching pathological and radiological correlation. CT scanning of 31 musculoskeletal specimens from a pathology museum was carried out. Images were reconstructed using both soft-tissue and bone algorithms. Further processing of the data produced coronal and sagittal reformats of each specimen. The container and storage solution were manually removed using Volume Viewer Voxtool software to produce a 3D reconstruction of each specimen. Photographs of each specimen (container and close-up) were displayed alongside selected coronal, sagittal, 3D reconstructions and cine sequences in a specially designed computer program. CT is a non-destructive imaging modality for building didactic materials from wet specimens in a Pathology Museum, for teaching radiological and pathological correlation.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

The quality of Pap test specimens collected by nurses in a breast and cervical cancer screening clinic.

BACKGROUND: It is possible that nurses can help close the gap between the Healthy People 2000 clinical preventive services goals and current cancer screening rates by collecting Pap test specimens in clinical practices. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether nurses can collect high-quality Pap tests. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis of all Pap tests submitted to a commercial pathology laboratory between January 1, 1996 and July 31, 1996. Pap tests collected by the nurses at Rosebud Hospital (N = 404) were compared to the Pap tests collected by other providers at the Rosebud Hospital (N = 118) and the Pap tests collected by providers from all other sites (N = 22,696). SETTING: The Indian Health Service Hospital, Rosebud, South Dakota. SUBJECTS: Eight nurses who had been trained to collect Pap test specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of Pap test specimens that were wholly satisfactory and the proportion of Pap test specimens collected from nonpregnant patients that lacked endocervical cells. RESULTS: The proportion of specimens that were wholly satisfactory was 79.8% (95% CI = 75.9-83.7) for the nurses, 65.3% (95% CI = 56.7-73.9) for other Rosebud providers, and 81.7% (95% CI = 81.2-82.2) for non-Rosebud providers. The proportion of specimens that lacked endocervical cells and were from nonpregnant patients was 6.4% (95% CI = 4.0-8.8) for Rosebud nurses, 8.5% for other Rosebud providers (95% CI = 3.5-13.5), and 7.9% for non-Rosebud providers (95% CI = 7.6-8.2). CONCLUSIONS: After one week of training, nurses can collect Pap test specimens that are of the same quality as the specimens collected by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The widespread availability of female nurses and the high quality of their work suggest that they can contribute to the Healthy People 2000 goals by collecting Pap test specimens.

Ambulatory Care↗