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At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Flucytosine and cryptococcosis: which in vitro test is the best predictor of outcome?

The combination of flucytosine and amphotericin B is first choice treatment for active cryptococcosis. Because of innate or acquired resistance of Cryptococcus neoformans to flucytosine, in vitro testing is mandatory. Yeast nitrogen base (YNB) at pH 7.0 is the recommended medium for the broth microdilution test (NCCLS M27-A) and for the E-test. In order to verify if minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were able to predict treatment outcome, the susceptibility of 24 isolates from 21 patients treated with flucytosine alone or in combination was tested by the broth microdilution, agar dilution and E-test using YNB either at pH 7.0 or at pH 5.4. Only those MICs obtained on YNB pH 5.4 proved to correlate with treatment outcome. The present study suggests that in vitro susceptibility to flucytosine of C. neoformans isolates should be evaluated on YNB pH 5.4 and the test should be standardized accordingly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of dipstick tests for the rapid diagnosis of malaria in nonimmune travelers.

BACKGROUND: Swift diagnosis of falciparum malaria in nonendemic areas is frequently complicated by lack of experience on the side of involved laboratory personnel. Diagnostic tools based on the dipstick principle for the detection of plasmodial histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP-2) (ICT Malaria P.f. (R)) and parasite-specific lactate-dehydrogenase (pLDH) (OptiMal(R)), respectively, have become available for the qualitative detection of falciparum malaria. METHODS: In order to evaluate currently available assays, a series of studies was conducted: sensitivity and specificity were evaluated by investigation of specimens from 231 febrile returnees from endemic areas, cross reactivity in patients with rheumatoid factor (RF) was assessed among 92 patients from a rheumatology unit, and the quality of dipstick self-use by febrile travelers was tested in Kenya. RESULTS: Whereas the test kit based on the detection of HRP-2 performed with a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 98.3%, the kit for the detection of pLDH showed a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 99.4%. Cross-reactions with sera positive for rheumatoid factor occurred in 6.6% with the ICT Malaria P.f.(R), and in 3.3% with the OptiMal(R) test. Only ICT Malaria P.f.(R) was tested for quality of self-use among travelers. This dipstick assay was performed successfully by 67 patients (68.4%), but 31 (31.6%) were unable to obtain a result. CONCLUSION: Dipstick tests have the potential of enhancing speed and accuracy of the diagnosis of falciparum malaria, especially if nonspecialized laboratories are involved. However, microscopical testing remains mandatory in every single patient with the possible diagnosis of malaria. Self-use of dipstick tests for malaria diagnosis by travelers should only be recommended after appropriate instruction and training, including a successful performance of the test procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Nuclear medicine in diagnosis, staging and follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Diagnostic strategy in thyroid cancer is conditioned by epidemiological, pathophysiological, cost-effective issues changing with age and countries. Nuclear medicine has a role mainly in differentiated carcinomas, i.e. in the large majority of thyroid cancers. In diagnosis of thyroid nodule (99m)Tc-perthecnetate is indicated in patients with low TSH levels, multinodular goiter, solid nodules at US negative at FNA. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs or Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) can be used in suspicion of medullary carcinoma. There is no role in staging. WBS with 131I has a role after surgical resection of the thyroid gland and it is no more suggested before ablative therapy, because of the possible stunning effect. In the follow-up thyroglobulin (Tg) test is mandatory both after therapy withdrawal or after rhTSH administration. Some authors already suggest to use this test alone, as 1st step, in patients with differentiated carcinoma at low risk of recurrence, but this approach is not yet generally accepted and it has not yet been validated in tumors at intermediate/high risk. WBS with 131I is ever indicated when autoantibodies can affect reliability of Tg values and in presence of high Tg levels to better define a radiometabolic therapy. In case of negative WBS, PET-FDG can be proposed. In WBS, 123I can be an alternative to 131I, but it is not yet generally accepted mainly because of its higher costs. The clinical use of rhTSH to increase accuracy both of Tg and WBS can be already accepted in patients at high risk following hypothyroidism, with a worst prognosis or a low pituitary response.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Cystic hydatid disease: pitfalls in diagnosis in the Middle East endemic area.

Ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT) have made a significant contribution to accurately localizing focal lesions. Such imaging techniques have been found useful in assessing a hydatid aetiology of cystic lesions. However, we present 23 cases which demonstrate that these modalities in isolation are not adequate in diagnosing hydatid cysts, as claimed from this geographic area. Simple, congenital, choledochal and pancreatic pseudocysts were cystic lesions misinterpreted as hydatid cysts, as were infective disorders such as amoebiasis and tuberculosis. The appearance of a lipoma and an ovarian intra-abdominal cystadenoma and an intra-hepatic haematoma were among other conditions that were labelled as hydatid cysts on US/CT. However, in all the cyst/mass lesions that were misdiagnosed, counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), with an antigen that elicits an arc-5 in immunoelectrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes as a substrate, did not detect any anti-Echinococcus antibodies in patients' sera. This was in contrast to the classic indirect haemagglutination test which was equivocal in some cases. The CIEP was specific and excluded hydatidosis though such a diagnosis was ventured on US and/or CT. We therefore conclude that a specific and sensitive serological test is mandatory for confirming a preoperative diagnosis of CHD. When surgery is not immediate, a negative serological test such as the CIEP would in addition indicate US or CT-guided aspiration of cyst fluid for cytological evaluation and/or enzyme immunoassay, thereby avoiding the cost and morbidity of laparotomy. Furthermore, chemotherapy is now a viable alternative provided the diagnosis is unequivocal. This may be a prudent protocol before a further decision on management is envisaged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

HIV-infection in Estonia.

Only a few cases of clinical AIDS have been diagnosed in the Baltic countries that previously were part of the Soviet Union. This suggests that the spread of HIV-infection has been much slower than in several other countries belonging to the previous Eastern Europe. To get a more precise picture of the situation, we have analyzed the data from seroepidemiological screening programs that have been conducted in Estonia since June 1987. Large population groups were tested according to a decree by the former soviet All-Union center on AIDS. On several occasions the tests were mandatory and probably had a coverage close to 100%. After more than a million serum samples were tested, 29 HIV-infected persons, 3 women and 26 men have been identified. One of them was HIV-2 positive. Most of them live in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. All cases probably have a sexually transmitted infection. In one the infection has proceeded to clinical AIDS. Analysis of the gene sequences of several strains suggests that the strains are closely related and that the number of sources of infection is quite small. The study suggests that the spread of HIV in Estonia is still quite limited. A contributing factor may be the restricted possibilities for travel to the Western countries during the Soviet era.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CLMA position on HIV/HBV testing of health-care workers. Clinical Laboratory Management Association.

In February 1991, CLMA's National Affairs Committee (NAC) developed a proposed position statement on mandatory HIV/HBV testing of health-care workers. The proposed statement was submitted to the 24-member National Affairs Reactor Panel and, based on their input, appropriate revisions were made. In May 1991, CLMA surveyed the full membership, and, as a result, the following position was adopted. Ninety-six percent of the members responding agreed with principles 1, 2, and 3; 88% agreed with 4, 5, and 6. NAC members include Royal A. Crystal, Chair; Linda D. Bielitzki, J.D., Vice Chair; Michael G. Bissell, M.D., Ph.D.; Earl C. Buck; Michael A. Maffetone, D. A.; Timothy Murray; Laurence J. Peterson; Marianne C. Watters; and Martha A. Feichter, National Affairs Analyst.

Blood↗