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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Identification of glycoprotein storage diseases by lectins: a new diagnostic method.

The specific diagnosis of glycoprotein storage diseases is made by demonstrating a deficiency in enzyme activity or an elevation of undegraded oligosaccharides in cells or body fluids. Prospective sampling and expensive specialized biochemistry, which is also time consuming, are required for such studies. We used lectin reagents on paraffin-embedded tissue sections to identify the specific sugars in undegraded stored substances. We studied 22 cases of glycoprotein storage diseases and differentiated histochemically between alpha- and beta-mannosidosis, fucosidosis, and sialisidosis. Cells affected with alpha-mannosidosis stained with Concanavalia ensiformis (Con A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and succinyl-WGA (S-WGA), while beta-mannosidosis cells did not stain with any of the lectins used. In fucosidosis the affected cells stained with Ulex europeus-I (UEA-I), while sialisidosis-affected cells stained with WGA, and in three cases with Arachis hypogea (PNA). This study indicates that lectin histochemistry provides a reliable specific diagnostic pattern for some glycoprotein storage diseases using a simple and inexpensive method.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Distinguishing benign and malignant pelvic masses: the value of different diagnostic methods in everyday clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize referral to specialized gynaecologists for surgical treatment of ovarian cancer by improving preoperative discrimination between benign and malignant pelvic tumours. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective multicentre study 143 patients with a pelvic mass were included. At several occasions during the diagnostic work-up the gynaecologist estimated the chance of malignancy (educated guess/expert opinion). MRI in the local setting was suggested for uncertain cases. All MRI images were reviewed by an expert radiologist. The datasheet designed for the study further allowed for determining the risk of malignancy index (RMI). RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of the gynaecologist's final estimation of the chance of malignancy and the calculated RMI were comparable (area under the ROC curve of 0.87 and 0.86). MRI did not improve the accuracy of the diagnostic work-up for the study population as a whole. Subgroup analysis did however show improved diagnostic accuracy in cases with an estimated chance of malignancy between 20 and 80% when the MRI was read by an expert radiologist. CONCLUSION: Patient selection for surgery of a pelvic mass should be based on the chance of malignancy as assigned by the referring gynaecologists. In case of uncertainty MRI improves diagnostic accuracy, when judged by an expert.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Review of diagnostic methods in allergy].

To investigate the possible role of allergy in asthma or chronic rhinitis, four groups of tests can be used. The patient's history, which is the best way to determine the severity of the disease and the clinical relevance of the allergens detected by other diagnostic means. Tests which disclose an atopic constitution. The predictive value of the serum level of total IgE is somewhat lessened by 20-30% false positive and false negative results. Phadiatop, introduced in 1986, appears to be a more accurate screening test for respiratory allergy. Tests which disclose the presence of allergen-specific IgE, in the skin (skin tests) or in serum (RAST). Tests which reproduce the allergic disease in the shock organ (conjunctival, nasal and bronchial provocation tests). These tests are used in clinical research rather than in the routine diagnosis of allergy.

Asthma↗
PubMed1998

Post- and prenatal diagnostic methods for the homocystinurias.

Diagnosis of the homozygous homocystinurias can be performed by investigations at the metabolite, enzyme and DNA level. The existence of variant forms due to the wide range of genetic variation may result in only small differences in various parameters between controls and affected subjects. 1. Sulphur amino acid concentrations in plasma, especially total homocysteine, are useful in first line diagnostic investigations. 2. Cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methylfolate homocysteine methyltransferase (MFMT) can be directly assayed in many tissues including fibroblasts (each) and blood cells (except CBS). Indirect whole cell assays which measure pathway activity dependent on a particular enzyme can provide useful diagnostic information. 3. Direct analysis of mutations is available for CBS, MTHFR and recently also for MFMT deficiencies. However the existence of a larger number of very rare, often private, mutations limits the usefulness of this approach in routine diagnosis. The above diagnostic approaches can generally be applied to prenatal diagnosis. Measurement of methylmalonic acid and other metabolites in amniotic fluid by stable isotope dilution / gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is well established for the methylmalonic acidurias. This method has also been applied to combined homocystinuria/methylmalonic aciduria supported by enzyme assays in cultured cells. Total homocysteine measurement in cell free amniotic fluid is also possible, performed so far in 14 cases with two affected fetuses. The indirect assay of methionine formation from [14C] labelled formate in intact cultured amniotic fluid cells has been for prenatal diagnosis of the remethylation defects.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran↗
PubMed2001

Advanced diagnostic methods in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Part I: molecular methods.

The practice of pathology is currently undergoing significant change, in large part due to advances in the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins in tissues. These advances have permitted improved biologic insights into many developmental, inflammatory, metabolic, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. Moreover, molecular analysis has also led to improvements in accuracy of disease diagnosis and classification. It is likely that, in the future, these methods will increasingly enter into the day-to-day diagnosis and management of patients. The pathologist will continue to play a fundamental role in diagnosis and will likely be in a pivotal position to guide the implementation and interpretation of these tests as they move from the research laboratory into diagnostic pathology. The purpose of this 2-part series is to provide an overview of the principles and applications of current molecular biologic and immunologic tests. Part I will discuss the biologic fundamentals of DNA, RNA, and proteins and the methods that are currently available or likely to become available to the pathologist in the next several years for their isolation and analysis in tissue biopsies.

Diagnosis, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic infections with Candida sp. and Aspergillus sp. in immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancies: current serological and molecular diagnostic methods.

Within recent years, novel serological and molecular methods have been developed to improve the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections especially in patients with malignant hematological diseases being at highest risk of developing these life-threatening infections. Early diagnosis is essential for adequate therapeutic management, which, however, often remains difficult since the diagnostic tools clinically used either lack specificity or sensitivity, or both at worst. The clinical value, the advantages and remaining problems of recently developed, more sensitive and specific serological assays and molecular methods are reviewed.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed2000

Different diagnostic methods for detection of influenza epidemics.

Linking continuous community-based morbidity recording of influenza-like illness (ILI) with virological sampling has consistently proved its value as one of the earliest indicators of circulating influenza activity. The clinical morbidity recording in the Portuguese national surveillance network, during a 7-year period, and the contribution of different diagnostic techniques, including virus isolation, multiplex RT-PCR, immunocapture enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) and complement fixation tests (CFTs) for the detection of influenza in such a community-based setting is described and evaluated in this study. There was good correlation between the increase of morbidity, total samples taken and the detection of influenza virus by all the methods although this was less evident for virus isolation and EIA than for RT-PCR or serology. From a total of 1685 throat swabs collected from cases of ILI, 43.6% were RT-PCR positive, 17.5% were positive by capture EIA and in 5% virus isolates were made. The detection of influenza by RT-PCR occurred earlier than by any other method and showed the best correlation with epidemic patterns of morbidity registration. We conclude that in surveillance systems where virus culture is sub-optimal, RT-PCR provides a rapid, sensitive, specific method for detecting influenza viruses from community-based sampling.

Complement Fixation Tests↗
PubMed2000

The measurement of IgA and IgG transglutaminase antibodies in celiac disease: a comparison with current diagnostic methods.

Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder of the small intestine induced by cereal prolamins. The demonstration of IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA) is currently the most reliable serological screen for CD. The antigenic target is transglutaminase. The aim of this study was to develop an ELISA assay for the detection of antibodies to transglutaminase (TGA), and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of TGA for the detection of celiac disease against the benchmarks of jejunal biopsy, antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and EMA. Sera from 57 patients with celiac disease were tested for IgA and IgG TGA, IgA EMA, IgA and IgG AGA, and the total IgA level. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and concordance of AGA, EMA and TGA were assessed against the gold-standard biopsy result. IgG plus IgA TGA offered 100% sensitivity in CD patients for whom no dietary intervention had been commenced, with a specificity of 61%. The sensitivity of TGA dropped from 100 to 79% after dietary restriction. In patients on no gluten restriction, there was 100% agreement between TGA and EMA, and 100% agreement between TGA and AGA for the IgA isotype. The false-positive rate for TGA was 53% in Down's syndrome patients and 25% in patients with systemic autoimmune disorders. We conclude that testing for TGA is a reliable diagnostic serology for celiac disease, with improved sensitivity compared with established methods. The results suggest that serial TGA measurements may be a more and accurate marker for dietary compliance than AGA, but prospective studies are required.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2002

Technical note: CT-guided biopsy: A new diagnostic method for paleopathological research.

The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the application of computerized tomographic (CT)-guided biopsy in a paleopathological examination. Researchers dealing with such special tasks should be aware of this method. We performed a CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of an ancient Egyptian child mummy, which allowed us to revise its initial diagnosis. Based on this experience, extended preinterventional planning and the choice of equipment (needle type) preferred by performing radiologists are strongly recommended, since they will influence diagnostic outcome. Easy documentation, suitable approaches according to the object's condition, and a reliable anatomical orientation without superposition effects during the procedure are some of the advantages of this method. It its already widely established in clinical practice. This technique is recommended for future tissue-sampling of human paleopathologic remains like mummies that are still wrapped within their original bandages, or any small bone lesion of unclear etiology.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1993

Myasthenia gravis. Diagnostic methods and control measures for a chronic disease.

Myasthenia gravis should be entertained as a possible diagnosis in any patient who presents with muscle weakness or visual disturbance. The most common symptom is exacerbation of muscle fatigue with repeated use of the muscle and improvement with rest. Several inexpensive diagnostic tests for myasthenia gravis that can be performed by primary care physicians are available. Standard therapy in most cases is early thymectomy, followed by a highly individualized medication program that usually includes the anticholinesterase drug pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon, Regonol). Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents (usually azathioprine [Imuran]) may be added or substituted if response to anticholinesterase therapy is inadequate. Although myasthenia gravis is a chronic disease, it can be well controlled in most patients, provided they comply with treatment. Patient education is therefore essential.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1983

[Evaluation of conventional hepatic scintigraphy as a diagnostic method].

The usefulness of liver scintiscann and its correlation with final diagnosis was evaluated in a retrospective study of 195 patients with suspected hepatic disease. It was found that the overall sensitivity and specificity were 83% and 61%, respectively. These data are in accordance with other previously described. The highest diagnostic accuracy was found in diffuse and focal hepatocellular disease. Multifocal disease group showed the highest false negative interpretations. The role of the factors affecting our results is discussed.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of alkaline phosphatase immunoassay and comparison with other diagnostic methods in areas of low transmission of schistosomiasis.

The alkaline phosphatase immunoassay (APIA) is an antibody detection technique which permits the diagnosis of schistosomiasis using a butanolic extract preparation from adult worms. APIA has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in previous reports with well characterized human sera. Its potential as a diagnostic tool for epidemiological surveillance was assessed in comparison with three other diagnostic tests: stool examination, ELISA with soluble egg antigen (SEA) and the circumoval precipitin test (COPT). APIA was 100% specific in an area without Schistosoma mansoni transmission and had 89% sensitivity in an endemic area where 69% of the infected subjects excreted less than 100 eggs g of faeces. It was found to be less sensitive in children under 5 years of age who were positive by the COPT test. APIA can be applied as an initial screening test, based on its high sensitivity, specificity, absence of cross-reactivity with intestinal parasites and the fact that it is a technique suitable for use in epidemiological surveillance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Pathogenetic rationale and diagnostic methods in allergic tuberculous synovitis of the knee joint].

The pathogenesis of tuberculous allergic synovitis was specified in the experiments on 44 rabbits by applying original simulation methods, including bivalent sensibilization, parallel study of the synovial fluid and serum of laboratory animals. A role of the synovial layer as an organ of immunogenesis and its impact on antibody titers were defined. A new diagnostic test, involving a diagnostic parameter and an equation for its calculation was developed. An algorithm was proposed for examining patients with synovitis (arthritis) of unknown etiology, which includes a set of significant clinical and laboratory parameters. Its testing in 64 patients enabled the tuberculous nature of the disease to be identified in 30% of cases.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1985

Diagnostic methods for deep vein thrombosis: venous Doppler examination, phleborheography, iodine-125 fibrinogen uptake, and phlebography.

Since clinical diagnosis of DVT is often inaccurate, it has become accepted that an objective means of diagnosing clot in the deep venous system becomes critically important in the management of these patients. Important to understanding the diagnostic capabilities of any test are the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the deep venous system. The venous Doppler examination monitors the velocity of blood flowing through a particular vein. Doppler probes in the 5 to 10 mHz range are routinely used. Respiratory variation is a normal finding due to a diminished flow signal during inspiration, followed by a progressive increase in flow signal during expiration. Characteristics of the spontaneous flow signals are the most important part of interpreting the venous Doppler examination. In addition, the response to distal or proximal compression (augmentation) adds important information to the interpretation; however, the response during any augmentation maneuver depends on the rapidity of compression, the force of compression, the quantity of blood in the veins at the time of compression, and the distance between the Doppler probe and the compression point. The literature reports a wide range of sensitivity and specificity for the Doppler examination, but there is uniform agreement and an observable trend that physicians with a large experience and a dedicated interest will obtain much better results than physicians with less experience and less interest. Phleborheography is a six-channel volumetric plethysmographic technique that monitors volume changes in the lower extremities associated with respiration and foot and calf compression. The volumetric tracings obtained are similar to the velocity profiles obtained on the venous Doppler examination. The criteria used in interpreting phleborheographic tracings are respiratory waves and baseline elevation (major criteria), and prominent arterial pulse waves and foot emptying (minor criteria). Previously reported overall sensitivities for detecting DVT are 83 to 93 percent, with sensitivities of detecting proximal vein thrombosis of 92 to 96 percent. Specificities have been reported to be 87 to 97 percent. In a prospective analysis of 126 extremities with phleborheography and phlebography carried out within the same 24 hour period at Temple University Hospital, we found an overall sensitivity of 79 percent (51 of 65 patients); however, the sensitivity for proximal vein thrombosis was 91 percent (49 of 54 patients).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Fibrinogen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of newer diagnostic methods for the detection and differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica in an endemic area.

We evaluated the colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for the detection and differentiation of Entamoeba spp. and compared the efficacy of E. histolytica-specific antigen detection in faeces with the detection of specific antibodies to E. histolytica-specific antigen in faeces, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Faecal samples were obtained from patients attending hospital in Chandigarh, India, from March 2001 to February 2002. The PCR-based colorimetric method was found to be the most sensitive (100%) and it could differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic Entamoeba spp. The present study also emphasized that the antigen detection system may prove to be a better diagnostic tool than the antibody detection system in endemic areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar: epidemiology and comparison of diagnostic methods in a setting of nonendemicity.

Recent studies suggest that stool antigen assays are more sensitive and specific than microscopy for the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica infection. One hundred twelve patients presenting at 3 centers with symptoms or risk factors of E. histolytica infection were prospectively enrolled in this study to evaluate new diagnostic tests for infections with E. histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Four ELISA-based stool antigen kits for detecting E. histolytica or E. dispar were blindly compared with stool microscopy. Amebic serology was assessed by indirect hemagglutination. When antigen assays were used as the reference standard, microscopy performed at referral centers was more specific (68.4% vs. 9.5%) but less sensitive (70.4% vs. 92.1%) than microscopy performed in community laboratories. Diagnosis with the E. histolytica test and Merlin Optimun S ELISA indicated that only 3 (4.2%) of 72 coproantigen-positive stools were positive for E. histolytica. Indirect hemagglutination was a good predictor of E. histolytica infection when titers of antibody to ameba were >/=1:512.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Giardia lamblia: comparison of two diagnostic methods and evaluation of response to treatment with metronidazole].

During the period from March through November 1989, 70 children who were attended at the Pediatric Department at Central Hospital in Valencia, were enrolled in the study, it was thought that Giardia lamblia infection might be present. Giardia L. were identified using two different diagnostic procedures: from stool samples and duodenal aspirates for cysts or trophozoites examination. These children were treated with Metronidazole three dosage of 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg per day for a ten day period. Our study showed predominant giardiasis in children with ages ranging from 2 to 6 years old (60%) with a relationship between female and male sex 1.05:1. In this series, 72.8% of patients presented normal nutrition, and 55.7% of them were from the suburban area. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal distention, constipation and flatulence. The infants prevalent symptom was diarrhea (83.3%) and the older children and school children prevalent symptom was abdominal pain with 78.5 and 100% respectively. In this study, stool examination was positive in 97.1% of the children and duodenal aspirate was positive in all 70 children (100%); the first procedure showed predominant Giardia cysts (88.2%) and the second one showed predominant trophozoites (47.1%). All 70 patients (100%) were cured with Metronidazole to different dosage. Side effects were seen with only the maxim dose, such as nausea 40%, headache 10% and appearance of yeast into 50% of duodenal aspirate.

Animals↗