PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Mir

Publications and source records attributed to N Mir.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Usefulness of the combined IgG and IgA antibody determinations for serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Serology is a good alternative, minimally invasive, diagnostic and screening test for Helicobacter pylori infection. Several immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kits have been evaluated. Information on IgA ELISAs is relatively poor, and on the combined use of IgG and IgA ELISAs very scarce. OBJECTIVE: We intended to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of two quantitative commercial IgG and IgA ELISAs (Helico-G and GAP, respectively) and more particularly the accuracy of their combined use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples and gastric biopsy specimen culture findings from 400 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the IgG ELISA Helico-G test in detecting IgG antibodies to H. pylori were 97.2, 85.4, 98.3 and 77.8%, respectively, when compared with those of the reference method used. The corresponding findings for detection of IgA antibodies with the GAP test were 96.4, 80.5, 97.7 and 71.1%, respectively. When considering a patient infected with H. pylori when both tests were positive, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 94.1, 85.3, 98.2 and 62.5%, respectively. On the other hand, when at least one test was positive, the corresponding values were 99, 80, 97 and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The IgG ELISA Helico-G and IgA ELISA GAP, taken separately, are good and reliable tests for the detection of antibodies to H. pylori. Furthermore, the combined use of both serological methods provided more useful information compared with single IgG and IgA determinations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in infancy with anti-Kpb specificity.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) in infancy is rare. We report a case of AIHA in a male infant whose serum contained an antibody with apparent anti-Kpb specificity. Autoantibody with anti-Kpb specificity has been described in adults; to our knowledge, this is the first case of this kind described in infancy with AIHA. Clinical course and response to red cell transfusion are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Helicobacter pylori infection in a healthy population in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy individuals in Spain and its relationship with different epidemiological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a large group of healthy individuals without ulcer disease antecedents or other gastrointestinal disease; moreover, information, was obtained on symptoms attributable to the gastrointestinal tract, smoking, alcohol consumption, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use as well as the presence of peptic ulcer disease antecedents among first-degree relatives. The H. pylori infection status was ascertained by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody determination, using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-one individuals (138 males and 243 females) were included in the study (mean age: 34.3 +/- 12.9 years; range: 5-77). Two hundred and two individuals (53%) were positive for H. pylori IgG antibodies. A consistent increase in H. pylori infection seroprevalence with increasing age was observed. No association was observed between H. pylori infection and consumption of alcohol, NSAID use or smoking. On the other hand, the presence of digestive symptoms and peptic ulcer disease antecedents among first-degree relatives were associated with a higher prevalence of infection in a given individual (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection seroprevalence in healthy individuals in Spain is similar to that in countries with high socio-economic standards and other Western countries. Digestive symptoms and previous antecedents of peptic ulcer disease in first-degree relatives were associated with a higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

HIV-disease and bone marrow changes: a study of 60 cases.

We report our experience of peripheral blood and bone marrow changes in patients with HIV disease. Abnormalities were most commonly seen in patients with advanced disease. In AIDS group IV patients (CDC classification) anaemia (92%) neutropenia (85%) monocytopenia (75%) and thrombocytopenia (61%) have their highest incidence, the reason being a combination of factors such as infection, myelosuppressive drugs and HIV infection itself. Bone marrow examinations were performed most commonly for microbiological culture (25%) and the investigation of anaemia (16%). Morphological changes in the bone marrow were non-specific and not pathognomic; however erythroid hypoplasia was found to be a distinctive feature associated with MAI infection. The procedure provided a high yield for microbiological culture, particularly in MAI infection.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Is there a place for otorhinolaryngology in primary care? Analysis of different areas].

Otolaryngological disorders do have a high incidence, and prevalence and require specific physical examinations amongst general population. As a result, it is believed that it would be efficient to have otorhinolaryngologists within the primary care system. The main aim of this study was to assess the differences in hospital referrals comparing primary care units with and without ENT specialists. The study was carried out in Osona County (Catalonia, Spain). We studied the referrals to the hospital from two different primary care units, one with otorhinolaryngology services and the other without them. We analysed the morbidity, follow up and demographic variables of first visits in the hospital ENT department referred by these two primary care units. The primary care organisation without ENT specialist tends to refer more patients (3.96 first visits more per 1000 inhabitants a year, CI 95% 2.84-5.09) with ENT problems than the primary care one with ENT specialist. The difference is mainly due to an higher number of referrals that do not require hospital treatment (i.e. acute otitis, patients without an ENT clear diagnosis). In the area with ENT specialist, GP's also tend to refer patients directly to the hospital, hampering the organisation efficiency. The referrral pattern of GPs from the two organisations is quite similar, and they refer a high percentage of patients that do not need ENT hospital care. The study shows that ENT specialists in primary care units refer less patients with ENT disorders that can be successfully diagnosed and treated outside the hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semiquantitative culture of subcutaneous segment for conservative diagnosis of intravascular catheter-related infection.

BACKGROUND: Sensitivity and negative predictive values of combined surface cultures (skin and hub) are high in the presumptive diagnosis of catheter-related infection, but specificity and PPVs are poor. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the yield of the semiquantitative culture of the subcutaneous segment in the diagnosis of colonization of the catheter tip without removal of the catheter. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 124 nontunneled central venous catheters that were removed because of suspected infection or the end of therapy. Catheter colonization was considered if >15 colony-forming units (CFU) in the roll procedure or > 1,000 CFU in the quantitative Cleri procedure were recovered from the tip cultures ("gold standard"). Before removing the catheter, a semiquantitative culture of skin surrounding the point of insertion, a semiquantitative culture of the subcutaneous segment (after removing the catheter only 2 cm), a semiquantitative cultures of the hub, and a pareated quantitative blood culture were performed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to estimate the cutoff points, and a culture was considered positive when CFUs were > or =15, > or =15, and > or =5 for skin, hub, and subcutaneous segment cultures, respectively. RESULTS: Catheter colonization was detected in 51 catheters. The mean duration of catheterization was 14 +/- 8 days, and the rates of incidence of tip colonization and bacteremia were 2.9 per 100 catheter days and 1.2 per 100 catheter days, respectively. Sensitivity of skin, subcutaneous, and hub cultures analyzed individually were < or =61%; however, specificity and positive predictive values (PPVs) of subcutaneous segment cultures were significantly higher than skin cultures (94% and 88.5% vs 71.6% (p = .001) and 62% (p = .014), respectively). Sensitivity of the combined skin and hub cultures and of the combined subcutaneous segment and hub cultures were similar: 86.2% and 84.3%, respectively; however, specificity and PPVs of this latter combination were significantly higher than former: 82% and 78.1% vs 59.7% (p = .008) and 61.9% (p = .07), respectively. The likelihood ratio of a positive test for the combined subcutaneous segment and hub culture was 4.68, and only 2.13 for the combined skin and hub culture. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the combined subcutaneous segment and hub culture constitutes an easy, effective procedure for the conservative diagnosis of catheter colonization.

Bacteriological Techniques↗