Simultaneous determination of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands and the "gamma-protein index" by agarose electrophoresis and densitometry.

1986 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A French ◽  
R P Tracy ◽  
R A Rudick ◽  
A M Kraemer ◽  
D A Arvan

Abstract Oligoclonal bands were identified in electropherograms of cerebrospinal fluid, and the "gamma-protein index" was concurrently calculated from the same strip. For the index, an upper limit of normal of 0.66 was established. We compared results with the clinical diagnosis in 69 patients with multiple sclerosis and 48 control patients with other diseases. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of 73%, 96%, and 96%, respectively, were obtained from the index. An abnormal index and the presence of oligoclonal bands combined increased the positive predictive value to 100%. This approach may allow adequate qualitative and quantitative assessment of gamma-globulin abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid after a single laboratory procedure.

1979 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1317-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Iwata ◽  
O Nishikaze

Abstract We report a new micro-scale (0.1-mL sample) turbidimetric method for determination of protein by use of benzethonium chloride in alkali. The method is highly specific for protein, has a higher sensitivity than the classic method of Lowry et al., and shows satisfactory reproducibility and recovery. The turbidity produced in our method is the same for albumin and gamma-globulin and is more stable than in Meulemans' method (in which sulfosalicylic acid is used) or in the method of Bossak et al. (in which trichloracetic acid is used). In contrast to Pesce and Strande's method, there is no manipulative loss of protein.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Rita de Cassia Gengo e Silva ◽  
Vanessa Ferreira Amorim de Melo ◽  
Maria Aparecida de Medeiros Lima

INTRODUCTION: The conventional method for measuring the ankle-brachial index (ABI) requires a vascular Doppler machine and a trained professional, which is a barrier to the examination becoming more widely adopted across health services. For this reason, the possibility of substituting Doppler monitors for other types of device has been investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the validity, reliability and accuracy of taking ABI measurement using oscillometric devices and compare them to vascular Doppler.METHODS: This is an integrative literature review of four articles.RESULTS: There was very little uniformity between the four studies in terms of ample populations or the methodological procedures used to measure systolic pressures. The results for sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values varied and so did measures of reliability.CONCLUSIONS: The results of these studies do not provide a basis from which conclusions can be drawn on the validity, reliability or accuracy of employing oscillometric devices as a substitute for Doppler for determination of ABI.


2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 428-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Chong ◽  
J. A. Maertens ◽  
K. Lagrou ◽  
G. J. Driessen ◽  
J. J. Cornelissen ◽  
...  

Testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the presence of galactomannan (GM) antigen may help in diagnosing cerebral aspergillosis (CA). However, the use of the CSF GM test as a diagnostic test has been little studied. We evaluated its diagnostic performance by comparing the CSF GM optical density indexes (ODI) at different cutoffs in patients with probable and proven CA to those in patients without CA. Patients from 2 tertiary referral hospitals with suspected CA between 2004 and 2014 and in whom CSF GM ODI had been determined were selected. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Infectious Diseases Study Mycoses Group (EORTC/MSG) definitions of invasive aspergillosis and CA were used, but with the exclusion of the test to be validated (i.e., the CSF GM test) as a microbiological EORTC/MSG criterion. The study population consisted of 44 patients (4 with proven CA, 13 with probable CA, and 27 with no CA). Of the 17 patients with CA, 15 had a CSF GM ODI of ≥2.0. Of 27 patients without CA, 26 had a CSF GM ODI of <0.5 and 1 had a CSF GM ODI of 8.2. When a GM CSF ODI cutoff of 1.0 was used, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 88.2%, 96.3%, 93.8%, and 92.9%, respectively. The same results were found when a CSF GM ODI cutoff of 0.5 or 2.0 was used. Testing GM in CSF has a high diagnostic performance for diagnosing CA and may be useful to diagnose or virtually rule out the infection without the need for a cerebral biopsy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyungseok Seo ◽  
YoonJu Go ◽  
Yong Seok Jang ◽  
Bong-Jae Lee

Abstract Background Detecting the position of the double lumen tube (DLT), lung sonography, can be an effective technique and may provide more detailed information than chest auscultation. However, the diagnostic efficacy of lung sonography for determining DLT position can differ between novice and expert.Methods We enrolled and allocated ninety patients into two groups; one group using chest auscultation and the other using lung sonography for the determination of DLT position. In both groups, two repeat-assessments were provided by two independent examiners; first by a novice, and second by an expert. The primary outcome was the overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive values between novice and expert in confirming the position of the left-sided DLT. In both groups, final position was confirmed by a fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Results Both using auscultation and sonography, novices and experts showed similar diagnostic efficacy. However, in patients using sonography, both novice and expert showed better outcomes than in patients using chest auscultation. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, lung sonography seemed to showe a better predictability in incorrect DLT position than chest auscultation, especially by experts.Conclusion Lung sonography showed a better diagnostic efficacy for detecting DLT position than chest auscultation. Furthermore, using lung sonography, novice investigator may perform similar assessment for identifying incorrect DLT position to expert.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jolanta Stacherzak-Pawlik ◽  
Paulina Boćko ◽  
Ewa Zagocka

Introduction: Oligoclonal bands are the result of the synthesis of antibodies of limited heterogeneity, that is, directed against one or more specific antigens. Their detection is an important element in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, the diagnostic sensitivity of the determination of oligoclonal bands is high. Aim: The aim of this study is to answer the question whether the detection of oligoclonal bands a more valuable study is than the Tibbling-Link index and reibergram analysis in the context of the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Material and methods: Oligoclonal bands were tested in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum from 9 patients suspected of multiple sclerosis using the Sebia HYDRAGEL 3 CSF ISOFOCUSING kit. Results: In 7 out of 9 patients the Tibbling-Link index, reibergram analysis and oligoclonal bands detection clearly indicated intrathecal IgG synthesis. In 2 of 9 patients, detection of oligoclonal bands indicated intrathecal IgG synthesis and the value of Tibbling-Link index and reibergram analysis did not indicated intrathecal IgG production or these tests indicated limit values. Conclusions: The detection of oligoclonal bands in many cases allows for faster diagnosis and introduction of therapy. This test should be an integral part of SM diagnostics.


1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-192
Author(s):  
Robert L. Sautter ◽  
Arthur E. Crist ◽  
Lynn M. Johnson ◽  
William D. LeBar

Objective:The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of commonly used methods for the detection of rubella immunity, especially the fully automated IMx assay.Methods:A total of 190 sera (101 immune and 89 non-immune) submitted to Harrisburg Hospital or Polyclinic Medical Center for the determination of rubella immunity were tested by enzyme immunoassay (IMx and Rubazyme, Abbott Diagnostic Laboratories, North Chicago, IL), indirect immunofluorescence (FIAX, Whittaker Bioproducts, Walkersville, MD), and latex agglutination (Rubascan, Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, MD, and Rubalex, Wellcome Diagnostics, Research Triangle Park, NC). Specimens were frozen at –30℃ until the study was initiated. Each of the assays was performed according to the manufacturers' specifications. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values for each assay were calculated using a consensus result of the 5 methods tested.Results:The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively, of the test systems were as follows: IMx, 96%, 97%, and 96%; Rubazyme, 100%, 99%, and 99%; Rubascan, 100%, 98%, and 99%; Rubalex, 99%, 97%, and 98%; and FIAX 90%, 100%, and 95%. False negative reactions were seen with the FIAX system.Conclusions:The IMx system, a new “walk away” system from Abbott Diagnostic Laboratories and the Rubazyme systems performed well; however the latex agglutination tests proved to be the most rapid and convenient methods for screening sera for the presence of rubella immunity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. von Kobyletzki ◽  
Staffan Janson ◽  
Mikael Hasselgren ◽  
Carl-Gustaf Bornehag ◽  
Åke Svensson

Aim. To develop and validate a questionnaire for detecting atopic dermatitis in infants and small children from the age of 2 months. Methods. Parents to 60 children answered a written questionnaire prior to a physical examination and individual semistructured interview. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of validity, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the questionnaire were performed. Results. A total of 27 girls and 33 boys, aged 2 to 71 months, 35 with and 25 without physician-diagnosed eczema, participated. Validation of the questionnaire by comparisons with physicians’ diagnoses showed a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI 0.77–0.98) and a specificity of 1 (95% CI 0.86–1). Conclusions. Three questions in a parental questionnaire were sufficient for diagnosing eczema in infants and small children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1237-1239
Author(s):  
A. Ammar ◽  
M. A. Z. Husnain ◽  
M. Arshad ◽  
T. M. Mirza ◽  
Z. Arshad ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound in determining the phenotypic foetal gender in all three trimesters. Study design: Cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of Diagnostic Radiology Combined Military Hospital Lahore from 1st January 2020 to 30th April 2020. Methodology: Three hundred and seventy two patients in the inclusion criteria were selected. Ages of patients, gestational ages of foetuses and their genders were determined according to the ultrasonographic signs using ultrasound examination. Patients were contacted 3 weeks after the estimated date of delivery and phenotypic sex recorded. Results: Mean age was 34 years. Median gestational age was 21 weeks 3 days. Accuracy of gender determination by ultrasound in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters was 62%, 97% and 95% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in 1st trimester for males are 66% and 72%; and for females are 72% and 66% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for male are 69% and 71%; and for female are 71% and 69% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in 2nd trimester for males are 95% and 100%; and for females are 100% and 95% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for male are 100% and 94%; and for female are 94% and 100% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in 3rd trimester for males are 94% and 96%; and for females are 96% and 94% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for male are 97% and 93%; and for female are 93% and 97% respectively. Conclusion: There is a high accuracy of ultrasound in determination of fetal gender in second and third trimesters. Keywords: Ultrasound, Gender, Trimester, Sensitivity, Specificity, Predictive Value


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document