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Improved diagnostic and real-time pcr in rapid screening for Salmonella in the poultry food chain.

The goal of this study was to improve the diagnostic applicability of genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific PCR systems in screening faecal and caecal samples of poultry, poultry feed and poultrymeat for Salmonella, by keeping the opportunity to obtain Salmonella cultures from positive samples. Peptone broth pre-enrichment cultures of the samples were tested by PCR. In faecal and caecal samples from broiler chicks a strong inhibitory action was frequently observed. This could be reduced markedly by the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) acting as amplification facilitator. The results of testing pre-enrichment cultures from artificially contaminated faecal, poultry feed and poultrymeat samples (using S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium and S. Hadar as contaminants) suggest that the sensitivity of the above systems is 10(1)-10(2) CFU g(-1) sample. The testing of 95 caecal samples from slaughtered chicks resulted in 49% culture-positive and 76% PCR-positive samples. The suitability of a generic real-time PCR for testing faecal samples of poultry was also studied. Its detection limit for these samples was found to be lower than that of the diagnostic PCR system. Both methods reduced the time required for Salmonella detection to 24-30 h, and the advantage of the real-time PCR was its increased sensitivity. We have established a diagnostic and a real-time PCR system for rapid and reliable genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific detection of Salmonella for monitoring purposes in the poultry food chain. Sensitivity is equal to, or higher than, that of the standard bacterial culture method, and the method still provides the Salmonella culture if needed.

Animals↗

Exercise thallium tomography predicts future clinically manifest coronary heart disease in a high-risk asymptomatic population.

BACKGROUND: Exercise testing, even when combined with radionuclide perfusion imaging, does not accurately predict future clinical coronary heart disease (CHD) in low-risk asymptomatic populations. We hypothesized that these tests would perform better in a higher-risk population with a high prevalence of occult CHD. Siblings of persons with premature CHD represent such a group in whom it would be advantageous to identify affected individuals before the occurrence of clinically manifest CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exercise thallium scintigraphy was performed in 264 asymptomatic individuals less than 60 years of age who had a sibling with documented CHD before age 60. Despite an average age of only 46 years at the time of screening, 19 of 264 siblings developed clinical CHD (sudden death in 1, myocardial infarction in 10, coronary revascularization in 8) over a mean of 6.2 years (range, 1 to 9 years) of follow-up. Abnormal thallium scans were observed in 29% of men and 9% of women, while abnormal exercise ECGs occurred in 12% and 5% respectively. Of men >/= 45 years of age, 45% had an abnormal exercise ECG, thallium scan, or both. In contrast, only 3% of women < 45 years of age had an abnormal test result. Although abnormal exercise ECGs and thallium scans were both predictive of future clinical CHD, the thallium scan was associated with a higher relative risk. After adjustment for age, sex, and exercise ECG results, the relative risk of developing clinical CHD was 4.7 for an abnormal scan. Siblings with a concordant abnormal exercise ECG and thallium scan had a relative risk of 14.5. These siblings were all men > 45 years of age at the time of screening and had a strikingly high incidence of CHD (6 of 12, 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise thallium scintigraphy appears to be useful in the risk assessment of asymptomatic siblings of patients with premature CHD, particularly in male siblings who are 45 years of age or older.

Adult↗

Mammography screening rates decline: a person-time approach to evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Early detection through mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality. This cohort study evaluated trends in mammography screening, demonstrating a person-time approach. METHODS: Included were women HMO members aged 50-69 from 1999 to 2002 who had not had breast cancer, dysplasia, fibrocystic disease, or implant. The amount of person-time covered by mammography as a percent of the time eligible for mammography screening (the prevention index (PI)) was calculated using electronic data. The denominator was the time during which the guidelines recommended that each participant should have been covered by a mammogram (every 24 months), excluding times when breast mass, abnormal mammogram, galactorrhea, or other breast disorders were under evaluation. The numerator was the time during which she was covered by a mammogram. RESULTS: The number of women who contributed person-time increased from 43,283 to 49,512 and the number of screening mammograms declined from 23,586 to 22,719. The overall PI for screening mammography declined from 67.0 (67% of eligible person-time was appropriately covered by a mammogram) to 62.5, and the proportion of women with no coverage during a given year increased 16%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a declining pattern of mammography screening using a person-time approach, a decline greater than that shown by methods that include diagnostic mammograms. The study highlights opportunities for use of the PI and quality improvement initiatives to improve breast cancer outcomes.

Aged↗

Decision rule and utility of routine urine toxicology screening of trauma patients.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of urine drug screening of major trauma victims on patient care and derive a decision rule for selective screening. Retrospective chart review of 170 trauma patients at a Level I Trauma Center, certified by the American College of Surgeons, was undertaken. The decision rule was developed by Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to maximize sensitivity, with secondary attention to specificity. Eighty-nine percent of trauma patients were screened, while 26.0% had positive tests for illicit drugs. Serum ethanol was positive in 31.2%, over the legal limit of 0.08 g/dl. Both a legally intoxicated ethanol level and positive illicit drug screen were found in 11.0%. Additionally, 42.5% of patients with a positive illicit drug screen were also intoxicated (blood alcohol level above legal limit). Conversely, 35.4% of legally intoxicated patients also had positive illicit screens. Drug treatment referral occurred in 17.5% of positive drug screens. For urgent surgery, median time to drug screen result was 117 min, while median time to operation was 110 min. Of operative patients, 57% had the drug screen result recorded on the chart at any time, but only 14.3% of illicit screens were noted in the anaesthesia record. For all patients with and without operations, 71.1% had the result noted on the chart. We derived a 'low risk rule' to identify most patients with positive illicit drug screens (95% sensitivity, 55% specificity, 66% positive and 93% negative predictive values; accuracy 74%), while limiting the number of unnecessary tests. The rule avoids screening 48% of patients, missing only 5% of true positives. It is concluded that urine screening for illicit drugs in trauma patients can be performed selectively according to a decision rule based on demographics, mechanism of injury and time of presentation. This rule, which captures most positive screens while eliminating screening in low risk patients, could result in significant cost savings. Only prospective validation of these rules in patient populations of other trauma centres will offer confidence that the decision points are valid. Urine drug screening infrequently affected patient management or resulted in drug treatment referral in our sample. We call for increased vigilance in recording results and referring patients for treatment.

Adult↗

Improving the time to diagnosis after an abnormal screening mammogram.

INTRODUCTION: Five community-specific interventions to reduce the time to diagnosis after an abnormal breast screen have been evaluated. METHODS: Subjects with abnormal screening mammograms in 1998 were assessed through five community pilot projects (N = 1137) and a control random sample assessed elsewhere in BC (N = 1053). The number, types, dates and physician costs of breast-related interventions after an abnormal screen were compared between pilots and control. RESULTS: The median time to diagnosis for women without a biopsy was reduced from 23 days to 7 days (p = 0.001) in the pilot with facilitated referral to diagnosis. The median time to diagnosis for women with a biopsy was reduced from 57 days to 22-43 days in the pilots. Median physician costs per subject were lower (p = 0.02) in pilots that more frequently used core biopsy to obtain a diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Process changes can improve the time to diagnosis after an abnormal breast screen, with similar or lower physician costs per subject. Facilitating the referral process had the greatest impact.

Adult↗

Effect of ultrasound screening on the rate of first operative procedures for developmental hip dysplasia in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound screening for developmental hip dysplasia and early conservative treatment might prevent later hip operations. A national hip ultrasound-screening programme, undertaken during the first 6 weeks of life, was introduced across Germany in 1996 and was continued for 5 years. We assessed the rate of first operation on the hip during this programme. METHODS: A national active surveillance programme of initial operations for developmental hip dysplasia was started in 1997 and continued for 5 years. Screening participation was assessed by a random digit dialing telephone survey. Cases were children aged between 10 weeks and 5 years at first operation, who had had no underlying disease leading to developmental hip dysplasia. Completeness of case ascertainment was validated with a capture-recapture study in a representative subsample. Calculated incidences were compared with previously established rates. FINDINGS: About 90% of all children were screened. 147 cases in the first year, and between 81 and 105 for subsequent years were reported. Treatment included closed reductions 353 (66%), open reductions 61 (11%), and osteotomies 121 (23%). Developmental hip dysplasia was diagnosed by ultrasound before 6 weeks of age in 272 (55%) of cases, 64 (13%) were screened at the recommended time but had normal findings, 70 (14%) had delayed screening, and 89 (18%) were not screened. Capture-recapture estimates suggested that 52% of cases were reported. The corrected incidence for first operation was 0.26 per 1000 livebirths (95% CI 0.22-0.32). INTERPRETATION: Ultrasound screening seems to prevent many, but not all, operations for developmental hip dysplasia. Rates of timely screening (ie, before 6 weeks of age) and training of doctors in ultrasound screening need to be improved.

Age Factors↗

A surface durable and strongly bonded phosphor viewing screen for T.E.M.

A simple procedure is described for the preparation of a totally inorganic, durable, strongly bonded, and non-shrinking phosphor viewing screen. The procedure requires no special apparatus or skills in order to prepare a fairly uniform high resolution screen in only about 0.5 hours plus drying time. The screens are suitable for use on an automatic exposure system where mechanical shock can destroy a screen.

Microscopy, Electron↗

Optimal cost-effective timing of cranial ultrasound screening in low-birth-weight infants.

Our aim in this study was to determine whether delaying the initial screening cranial ultrasound on infants of low birth weight until the 2nd week of life affects clinical diagnosis and cost of patient care. Data were reviewed on all premature infants of less than 33 weeks gestation or less than 1500 g birth weight admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 1989 and August 1992. Babies admitted before August 1991 were screened on day 4 or 5 with a second scan frequently performed on day 14; babies admitted after that date were screened once between days 10-14. Populations were compared for (1) proportion of ultrasound findings considered normal on final diagnosis; (2) incidence of major and minor abnormalities; (3) periventricular leukomalacia (PVL); (4) change in diagnosis from 1st to 2nd week; and (5) number of studies performed per patient. The study group was composed of 499 eligible infants. Demographic features of infants screened in the 1st vs. 2nd week of life were similar, with comparable diagnoses of major and minor intracranial hemorrhage and ventricular dilatation; however, more patients screened in the 1st week had questionable PVL diagnosed (p = 0.04). There was a significant decrease in the number of scans per patient in the group screened in the 2nd week (p < 0.004). Routine screening may be delayed until the 2nd week without compromising patient care. Widespread use of a similar screening protocol would result in significantly fewer studies being performed, with an estimated saving, in the USA, of more than $3 million annually.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

Measurement of axial rotation: its relevance to screening for night-time hypokinesia in old age and parkinsonism.

A novel device for continuous monitoring of axial rotation of a recumbent person is described. It is self-applicable and small enough to be mailed. A field trial showed that parkinsonian patients change their position less frequently than did their spouses: the difference became smaller where the age of the spouse was equal to or greater than that of the sufferer. The most marked difference between sufferers and their spouses was with respect to total angular displacement, which was nearly four times greater in the spouses. Further work is needed to show whether impaired rotation predates clinical idiopathic Parkinson's disease and so acts as a useful predictor. Measurement of axial rotation seems valuable in judging risk of pressure sores and gauging improvement in mobility in response to therapeutic interventions.

Aged↗

Evaluation of a Tay-Sachs screening program on a college campus.

A screening program for Tay-Sachs disease was done on a predominantly unmarried, university student population and later evaluated. Ten carriers were detected among a population of 390 screened. Voluntarily screened individuals were given a questionnaire at the time of screening and after their carrier status was revealed. In addition, individuals in a target population were queried as to why they did not attend the screening. Results of evaluation indicate that both the screened and unscreened students were able to answer approximately two thirds of a set of questions on Tay-Sachs correctly, but there was widespread lack of knowledge regarding the implications of carrier status and inheritance of the disease. In general, respondents to the questionnaires were not opposed to abortion. However, when asked about the family planning alternatives that they would consider if they were carriers, more subjects preferred adoption, artificial insemination, or avoidance of pregnancy to abortion.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

At what age should a one-time only colonoscopy for screening of colorectal cancer be performed?

OBJECTIVE: To determine at what age the only screening colonoscopy during lifetime should be performed to achieve the highest yield. METHODS: Medical decision analysis to calculate the loss in life years associated with mortality from colorectal cancer at different ages. RESULTS: The expected loss in life years from colorectal cancer is highest between the ages 70 to 80 years, with a peak occurring at age 75. The length of protection provided by colonoscopy plus polypectomy is estimated to last 5-10 years after the procedure. A screening colonoscopy at age 65 would, thus, protect a subject from age 65 until age 70 or 75 years. Similarly, a screening colonoscopy at age 70 would protect the subject from age 70 until age 75 or 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: The highest yield in life years by preventing death from colorectal cancer is achieved if the only colonoscopy per lifetime is scheduled between the ages of 65 and 70 years.

Age Distribution↗