Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Apr 19:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

4Center for Spine Health, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurologic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

OBJECTIVEBertolotti syndrome is a rare spinal condition that causes low-back pain due to a lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV), which is a pseudoarticulation between the fifth lumbar transverse process and the sacral ala. Bertolotti syndrome patients are rarely studied, particularly with regard to their quality of life. This study aimed to examine the quality of life and prior treatments in patients with Bertolotti syndrome at first presentation to the authors' center in comparison with those with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Read More

PLoS One 2019 19;14(4):e0215089. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States of America.

Aim: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a predisposing factor of esophageal adenocarcinoma/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (ECA/GEJ Aca). BE patients are stratified and subsequently monitored according to the risk of malignant progression by the combination of endoscopy and biopsy. This study is to evaluate the maspin expression patterns as early diagnostic markers of malignancy in BE patients. Read More

J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol 2019 Jan 23;26(1):e39-e55. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Canada FASD Research Network.

Background The recommended "gold standard" for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessment involves a multidisciplinary diagnostic team and comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests to evaluate functioning across 10 brain domains. The current Canadian Guideline for diagnosis of FASD outlines a list of test measures for assessment; however, very little research exists to explore which specific tools are being used in clinical practice. Objectives The purpose of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the testing measures used by FASD clinicians in Alberta, Canada. Read More

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Thyroid Imaging and Cytopathology Centre, Paris, France.

Objective: Many systems for risk stratification of thyroid nodule with ultrasound (US) have been proposed and the EU-TIRADS issued by the ETA in 2017 was the last to have been published. The present study was undertaken to evaluate if the malignancy risk of each category corresponded to the given range of the guidelines and assess the diagnostic value of EU-TIRADS in a multi-institutional trial with histology as gold standard.

Design: Three institutions in Switzerland, France, and United Kingdom shared this retrospective study. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 May;25(5):996-998

We prospectively examined the effectiveness of diagnostic tests for anaplasmosis using patients with suspected diagnoses in France. PCR (sensitivity 0.74, specificity 1) was the best-suited test. Read More

J Infect Dis 2019 Apr 18. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Background: Hepatitis E virus infection (HEV) is an emerging problem in developed countries. Diagnosis of HEV infection is based on the detection of HEV-specific antibodies, viral RNA and/or antigens (Ag). Humanized mice were previously reported as a model for the study of HEV infection, but published data was focused on the quantification of viral RNA. Read More

Front Mol Biosci 2019 3;6:19. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Computer Science Department, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Erythrocytes Dynamic Antigens Store (EDAS) is a new discovery. EDAS consists of self-antigens and foreign (non-self) antigens. In patients with infectious diseases or malignancies, antigens of infection microorganism or malignant tumor exist in EDAS. Read More

Front Oncol 2019 3;9:213. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy.

High oncogenic risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) promote cervical carcinoma development, the fourth most common feminine cancer. A slow oncodevelopmental phase-defined histopathologically as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) grades 1-3, or cytologically as Low- or High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL or HSIL)-precedes the malignancy. Cervical carcinoma screenings through HR-HPV genotyping and Pap smears are regularly performed in Western countries. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 2;10:306. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Department of Paediatric Audiology and Audiovestibular Medicine, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Semicircular canal dehiscence is a bony abnormality in the otic capsule especially involving the superior semicircular canal. Since its identification in 1998, there is significant research regarding the pathology in the adult population. This condition generates a third window effect that is well-described in the literature. Read More

PLoS One 2019 18;14(4):e0215623. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Background: Laboratory diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease is a troubling factor due to lack of reference tests. The WHO suggests the use of two distinct commercial serological tests in parallel. The performance of commercial immunoassays might fluctuate depending on the antigenic matrices and the local strains of T. Read More

Clin Orthop Relat Res 2019 Apr 3. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

N. U. Ecker, A. Koniker, T. Gehrke, A. Zahar, M. Citak, Helios ENDO-Klinik Hamburg, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hamburg, Germany A. Koniker, J. Salber, Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of General Surgery, Bochum, Germany M. Hentschke, MVZ Labor Dr. Fenner und Kollegen, Hamburg, Germany.

Background: The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is challenging, especially in patients with Cutibacterium (formerly Propionibacterium) acnes infection. Despite the increasing number of patients with PJI of the shoulder, there are still no robust data regarding diagnostic tests in detecting shoulder PJI.

Questions/purposes: (1) What are the sensitivity, specificity, and negative- and positive-predictive values for the alpha-defensin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test in detecting PJI after TSA? (2) What are the diagnostic accuracies in detecting shoulder PJI for synovial alpha-defensin, leukocyte esterase Test, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP)?

Methods: All patients with painful TSA, who underwent joint aspiration to validate or exclude a PJI, between July 2015 and February 2018 were enrolled in this single-center study. Read More

Radiology 2019 May;291(2):542-545

From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608.

History A 70-year-old man presented to the emergency department with fever, chills, rigors, and upper abdominal discomfort. Physical examination revealed jaundice and mild right upper quadrant tenderness. Laboratory tests revealed an increased C-reactive protein level of 133 mg/L (normal range, 0. Read More

Neth Heart J 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Durrer Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Background: Clinical research on arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is typically limited by small patient numbers, retrospective study designs, and inconsistent definitions.

Aim: To create a large national ACM patient cohort with a vast amount of uniformly collected high-quality data that is readily available for future research.

Methods: This is a multicentre, longitudinal, observational cohort study that includes (1) patients with a definite ACM diagnosis, (2) at-risk relatives of ACM patients, and (3) ACM-associated mutation carriers. Read More

Internist (Berl) 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Universitätsklinik für Nephrologie und Hypertonie, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern, Universität Bern, 3010, Bern, Schweiz.

Kidney diseases are among the most frequently reported diseases with a poor prognosis that are diagnosed too late. According to current Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines, diagnosis and risk stratification are mainly based on functional markers (creatinine and cystatin C), which are used to determine the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the analysis of urinary albumin excretion as a marker of kidney damage. These methods have limitations that can complicate the interpretation of the results and can lead to a delay of the diagnosis as well as to a misinterpretation of the prognosis. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 Apr 13;6(4):ofz073. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Background: Histoplasmosis is highly endemic in the American continent. This condition is associated with a high mortality, particularly in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Diagnosis of histoplasmosis is usually late in South America, as antigen detection is rarely available. Read More

Can Commun Dis Rep 2018 Nov 1;44(11):304-307. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

National Microbiology Laboratory, MB & ON.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) are important enteric pathogens responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks of gastroenteritis. O157:H7/NM (STEC O157) are the most commonly known STEC serotypes but it is now increasingly apparent that non-O157 STEC serotypes have been underreported in the past because they were not part of routine screening in many front-line laboratories. The Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network (CPHLN) has identified the need for improved detection and surveillance of non-O157 STEC and has developed the following recommendations to assist in the decision-making process for clinical and reference microbiology laboratories. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019 Apr 14. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea; Department of Bio-industrial Technologies, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Nipah virus (NiV) is a recently emerged paramyxovirus that causes acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis in a broad spectrum of vertebrates, including humans. Due to its high pathogenicity and mortality rates, NiV requires handling in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) containment facilities and no effective vaccines or therapeutic agents are currently available. Since current diagnostic tests for detecting serum neutralizing antibodies against NiV mainly employ live viruses, establishment of more safe and robust alternative diagnostic methods is an essential medical requirement. Read More

J Neurophysiol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Bobby R Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, United States.

Although many studies have reported on tests of the vestibular system a valid and reliable, evidence-based screening battery for easy clinical use remains elusive. Many screening tests attempt to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Therefore, head shaking, the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, the supine roll test and head impulse tests are discussed. Read More

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019 Apr;101(8):739-744

The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: It has been demonstrated that administration of antibiotics prior to performing diagnostic testing for periprosthetic joint infection can interfere with the accuracy of the standard diagnostic tests. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of antibiotic administration prior to performing the synovial leukocyte esterase strip test for periprosthetic joint infection.

Methods: We identified 121 patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty for a Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS)-confirmed periprosthetic joint infection. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Departments of.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare salivary gland tumor that is histologically characterized by biphasic tubular structures composed of inner ductal and outer clear myoepithelial cells. Because of its histologic variety, it is sometimes challenging to make an accurate diagnosis, and useful ancillary tests are essential for this purpose. We investigated 87 cases of EMC arising in the major and minor salivary glands and seromucinous glands in the nasal cavity or bronchus to describe the histologic features and mutation status of selected key oncogenes. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

3 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Tuberculosis (TB) meningitis is extremely difficult to diagnose due to its pauci-bacillary disease nature and new techniques are needed. Improved test sensitivity would allow for greater clinician confidence in diagnostic testing and has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Traditional microbiologic and molecular tests for TB meningitis focus on detection of TB bacilli and are inadequate. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Infection with dengue virus (DENV) is widespread across tropical regions and can result in severe disease. Early diagnosis is important both for patient management and to differentiate infections that present with similar symptoms, such as malaria, chikungunya, and Zika. Rapid diagnostic tests that are used presently for point-of-care detection of DENV antigens lack the sensitivity of molecular diagnostics that detect viral RNA. Read More

Eur Radiol 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Pathology, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

Objective: To evaluate diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement (IRA) of the Gynecologic Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) for diagnosis of adnexal masses (AMs) by pelvic ultrasound (US).

Patients And Methods: A prospective multicenter study included 308 women (mean age, 41 ± 12.5 years; range, 15-73 years) with 325 AMs detected by US. Read More

Unfallchirurg 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Departments of Surgery, Neurology and Sports Medicine, Maxima Medical Center, De Run 4600, 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

Young individuals with chronic exercise-induced lower leg pain (ELP) who have normal compartmental muscle pressures and normal imaging occasionally suffer from a nerve entrapment syndrome. These patients have consistently undergone a variety of diagnostic tests and often futile therapies prior to arriving at the correct diagnosis. Awareness among traumatologists regarding these nerve entities is low. Read More

J Educ Health Promot 2019 15;8:30. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Health Sciences, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Introduction: An appropriate exchange of information between the health-care provider and the family is an important component of coping with stress following the prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the informational needs of pregnant women following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies in Mashhad, Iran.

Subjects And Methods: This qualitative, conventional, content analysis study was designed through two referral centers for fetal anomaly. Read More

Genet Med 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Purpose: Maternal diabetes is a known teratogen that can cause a wide spectrum of birth defects, collectively referred to as diabetic embryopathy (DE). However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying DE remain uncertain and there are no definitive tests to establish the diagnosis. Here, we explore the potential of DNA methylation as a diagnostic biomarker for DE and to inform disease pathogenesis. Read More

J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address:

Objectives: Early diagnosis of cognitive impairment is increasingly emphasized in the literature to facilitate timely preventive interventions. Although bedside cognitive tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are widely used for such early diagnostic purposes, they may not have comparable performance to a full neuropsychological battery (FNB) in diagnosing early cognitive impairment. This study investigated whether a small subset of neuropsychological tests can be added on to MoCA to match its performance to that of the FNB in discriminating mild cognitive impairment and dementia (MCI/dementia) from normal cognition. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

School of Medicine, Research and Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru; Centro de Salud Las Palmas - Red de Salud Leoncio Prado - Ministerio de Salud, Huánuco, Peru. Electronic address:

Introduction: Oropouche fever is an under-reported and emerging infectious disease caused by Oropouche virus (OROV). Its incidence is under-estimated mainly due to clinical similarities with other endemic arboviral diseases and the lack of specific diagnostic tests. We report the first outbreak of Oropouche fever in a western region of the Peruvian Amazon in Huanuco, Peru. Read More

PLoS One 2019 16;14(4):e0215380. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

St George's University of London, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit, London, United Kingdom.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a major public health concern in the United Kingdom (UK). Epidemiological models have shown that narrowing the time between STI diagnosis and treatment may reduce the population burden of infection, and rapid, accurate point-of-care tests (POCTs) have potential for increasing correct treatment and mitigating the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We developed the Precise social science programme to incorporate clinician and patient opinions on potential designs and implementation of new POCTs for multiple STIs and AMR detection. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Jun;61(2):104-107

American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Diagnostic testing for male infertility has traditionally been limited to andrology labs. The advent of home-based semen testing has the potential to allow patients to perform testing in the comfort of their home and screen those who need a formal evaluation. An extensive review of the literature was performed. Read More

J Asthma 2019 Apr 16:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

a Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine , Hvidovre Hospital , Hvidovre , Denmark.

Background: The mannitol test is widely used for assessment of airway responsiveness in patients with possible asthma, but our knowledge of the value in everyday clinical practice is limited.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of the mannitol test in a clinical setting.

Methods: All patients having a mannitol challenge test as part of their diagnostic work-up for asthma at the respiratory outpatient clinic, Hvidovre Hospital, over a 5-year period were included in the present analysis. Read More

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Capital Medical University

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as diagnostic biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but their efficacy in discovering early-stage ESCC is still unsatisfying. Esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD) is the precursor lesion of ESCC. Notably, little is known about the role(s) of circulating miRNAs in identifying ESD. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Apr 14;12(4). Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University Hospital, Singapore.

A woman's chances of having a child with Down syndrome increases with age. By age 40, the risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome is about 1 in 100. We report a rare case of dizygotic dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy conceived via in vitro fertilisation, with both twins having trisomy 21. Read More

Rev Gastroenterol Mex 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Hospital Ángeles y Hospital Lomas, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México. Electronic address:

In recent decades, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a worldwide health problem. Mexico is no exception, and therefore the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología brought together a multidisciplinary group (gastroenterologists, endoscopists, internists, infectious disease specialists, and microbiologists) to carry out the "Consensus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection", establishing useful recommendations (in relation to the adult population) for the medical community. Said recommendations are presented herein. Read More

J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2019 Apr 15:891988719841726. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

1 Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.

Background/aims: There are limited cognitive screening tests for the Chinese-speaking population. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (M-ACE) for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. Its diagnostic accuracy was compared with that of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Read More

Int J Audiol 2019 Apr 15:1-8. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

a Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a software application capable of conducting Pure-Tone Audiometry tests in clinical practice.

Design: We designed and developed a mobile software application for iPad devices that performs Pure-Tone Audiometry according to ANSI and IEC standards. The application is proposed to be operated by a trained audiologist inside a sound booth. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2019 Apr 3;9(2). Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Motif BioSciences, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the leading infectious cause of death and the sixth-leading cause of death overall worldwide. , with more than 90 serotypes, remains the most common identified cause of community-acquired acute bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics treat LRTIs with a bacterial etiology. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Apr 2;20(7). Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

This review discusses the most recent evidence for currently available risk stratification tools in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and evaluates diagnostic strategies that combine these tools. Novel blood biomarkers, such as the Prostate Health Index (PHI) and 4Kscore, show similar ability to predict csPCa. Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a urinary biomarker that has inferior prediction of csPCa compared to PHI, but may be combined with other markers like TMPRSS2-ERG to improve its performance. Read More

PLoS One 2019 15;14(4):e0215393. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Precision Medicine Laboratories, Precision Medicine and Genomics, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Four immunohistochemistry (IHC) diagnostic assays have been approved for tumour PD-L1 protein assessment in the clinic. However, mRNA detection by in situ hybridisation (ISH) could be utilised as an alternative to protein detection. Detecting spatial changes in gene expression provides vital prognostic and diagnostic information, particularly in immune oncology where the phenotype, cellular infiltration and immune activity status may be associated with patient survival. Read More

Turk Thorac J 2019 Apr 9. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ege University, School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

Pneumothorax is a rarely seen condition during pregnancy, when changes in the respiratory physiology can sensitize the mother and fetus to the signs of hypoxia. Symptoms of pneumothorax, such as dyspnea, tachypnea, and chest pain, can also be attributed to pregnancy and complications with pregnancy and this can lead to misdiagnoses. The limitations in the use of diagnostic tests, such as chest X-ray and computed tomography, make treatment more difficult. Read More

J Abnorm Psychol 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

The idea that psychopathology is associated with exceptional creativity has persisted despite a paucity of corroborating or disconfirming evidence. The authors measured psychopathology, including schizotypal personality traits, social responsiveness/autism spectrum traits, and lifetime incidence of mental disorders, along with lab-based tests of creativity in a unique sample of (exceptionally creative) individuals. The authors examined Big-C visual artists (VIS; = 35), Big-C scientists (SCI; = 41), and a smart comparison group (SCG; n = 31) matched on age, sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, and estimated IQ. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2019 Mar-Apr;10(2):106-114

Departemnt of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital, Nand Nagri, New Delhi, India.

The present review briefly summarizes the highlights of the recent advances in -specific tests for early diagnosis of leprosy. In addition to establishing the diagnosis of clinical cases of leprosy, these tests have also been used to detect subclinical infections in endemic population. Several attempts have been made from 1980 onward for standardization of specific diagnostic assays for early detection of leprosy. Read More

J Parasitol Res 2019 10;2019:1417967. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

The Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: Despite recommendation from the World Health Organization that all malaria suspected patients undergo a parasitological confirmation using rapid diagnostic test or light microscopy prior to treatment, health facilities in remote malaria endemic settings sometimes resort to presumptive diagnosis of malaria for clinical management for various reasons. Following observation of this practice, we undertook a cross-sectional study aimed at comparing presumptive diagnosis based on axillary temperature, SD Bioline™ rapid test, and light microscopy as strategies for malaria diagnosis in the coastal region of Mutengene in the South West of Cameroon with the overall goal of supporting improved malaria diagnosis at local levels.

Methodology: Venous blood from 320 participants was used to detect the presence of malaria parasite using SD Bioline™ mRDT and Giemsa stained microscopy or spotted on filter paper for PCR amplification of the 18s rRNA gene of following standard procedures. Read More

Gastroenterol Res Pract 2019 7;2019:6156581. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous virus with a wide spectrum of pathology in humans. Host immunity is a major determinant of the clinical manifestation of CMV and can vary widely in the gastroenterology and hepatology practice setting. Immunocompetent patients generally develop a benign, self-limited mononucleosis-like syndrome whereas gastrointestinal tissue-invasive disease is more frequently seen in immunocompromised and inflammatory bowel disease patients. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 26;10:586. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Hospital U. Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.

Immunodeficiencies (ID), in particular primary immunodeficiencies (PID), are often associated with haematological manifestations, such as peripheral cytopenias or lymphoproliferative syndromes. Early diagnosis and management have significant prognostic implications. Secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) may also be induced by oncohaematological diseases and their treatments. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2019 Mar-Apr;64(2):101-105

Departments of Pathology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Context: Autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs) are characterized by autoantibodies directed against antigens of skin. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) study helps in confirming the diagnosis where histopathology alone is noncontributory.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological and DIF features of intraepidermal AIBD and to assess their relative diagnostic significance. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Apr 14:1-131. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

d Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , Ca' Foncello Hospital , Treviso , Italy.

Background: Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE cell-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy that primarily presents in infancy, as early as the first hours of life. FPIES is often misdiagnosed as sepsis, severe gastroenteritis, abdominal surgical emergency or even metabolic, neurologic or cardiac disorders.

Methods: We report two neonatal cases of cow's milk protein (CMP)-induced FPIES masquerading as surgical diseases. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

This Perspectives in Veterinary Medicine article seeks to define, describe putative causes, and discuss key diagnostic tests for primary and secondary bronchiolar disorders to propose a classification scheme in cats with support from a literature review and case examples. The small airways (bronchioles with inner diameters <2 mm), located at the transitional zone between larger conducting airways and the pulmonary acinus, have been overlooked as major contributors to clinical syndromes of respiratory disease in cats. Because the trigger for many bronchiolar disorders is environmental and humans live in a shared environment with similar susceptibility, understanding these diseases in pet cats has relevance to One Health. Read More

Clin Oral Investig 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the frequency of Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD)-based pain diagnoses and dynamic/static tests-based pain diagnoses, and to assess the agreement of palpation tests with static/dynamic tests.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-six (N = 86) adult patients with Lyme disease (mean age 57.0 ± 14. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Service of hospital preventive medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss National Reference Centre for Emerging Antibiotic Resistance (NARA), Fribourg, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Objectives: Screening for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is part of many recommendations to control MRSA. Several rapid PCR tests are available commercially and updated versions are constantly released. We aimed to evaluate the performance of three consecutive versions (G3, Gen3 and NxG) of the XpertMRSA test. Read More