scholarly journals Evaluation of the Liaison Automated Testing System for Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1859-1863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea-Romana Prusa ◽  
Michael Hayde ◽  
Arnold Pollak ◽  
Kurt R. Herkner ◽  
David C. Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
First Year ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Year Of Life

ABSTRACTCongenital toxoplasmosis is a worldwide health problem, and different screening strategies exist. Testing of toxoplasma-specific antibodies in infants identifies congenital toxoplasmosis during the first year of life. However, experience with commercial available immunoassays is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate both the performance and analytical characteristics of the Liaison diagnostic system in infants. In a retrospective study, serumToxoplasma gondiiantibodies were measured in samples from 333 infants, including 212 noninfected infants and 121 infants with congenital toxoplasmosis. A total of 1,157 umbilical cord blood and peripheral serum samples were analyzed. Liaison toxoplasma-specific IgG and IgM antibodies and the IgG avidity index were compared to the infection status of the infant, determined by the Sabin-Feldman dye test and immunosorbent agglutination assay—IgM. All noninfected infants were seronegative by Liaison IgG within the first year of life. The Liaison system showed a sensitivity of 81.8%, a specificity of 100.0%, a positive predictive value of 100.0%, a negative predictive value of 90.6%, and overall agreement of 84.4% by comparison with the dye test. Overall agreement of both IgM test systems was 96.0%. In this study cohort, avidity did not show a potential diagnostic benefit for the detection of congenital infection. In conclusion, the Liaison system is a valuable tool to monitor the serologic course of infants at risk. A final serologic confirmatory test is recommended to improve the rate of detection of congenital toxoplasmosis at 1 year of life. Protocols of routine follow-up testing in infants and accurate diagnostic tools after acute gestational infections are needed to improve medical care.

scholarly journals The natural history of Canavan disease: 23 new cases and comparison with patients from literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Bley ◽  
Jonas Denecke ◽  
Alfried Kohlschütter ◽  
Gerhard Schön ◽  
Sandra Hischke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severity Score ◽  
Canavan Disease ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
First Year ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life

Abstract Background Canavan disease (CD, MIM # 271900) is a rare and devastating leukodystrophy of early childhood. To identify clinical features that could serve as endpoints for treatment trials, the clinical course of CD was studied retrospectively and prospectively in 23 CD patients. Results were compared with data of CD patients reported in three prior large series. Kaplan Meier survival analysis including log rank test was performed for pooled data of 82 CD patients (study cohort and literature patients). Results Onset of symptoms was between 0 and 6 months. Psychomotor development of patients was limited to abilities that are usually gained within the first year of life. Macrocephaly became apparent between 4 and 18 months of age. Seizure frequency was highest towards the end of the first decade. Ethnic background was more diverse than in studies previously reported. A CD severity score with assessment of 11 symptoms and abilities was developed. Conclusions Early hallmarks of CD are severe psychomotor disability and macrocephaly that develop within the first 18 months of life. While rare in the first year of life, seizures increase in frequency over time in most patients. CD occurs more frequently outside Ashkenazi Jewish communities than previously reported. Concordance of phenotypes between siblings but not patients with identical ASPA mutations suggest the influence of yet unknown modifiers. A CD severity score may allow for assessment of CD disease severity both retrospectively and prospectively.

scholarly journals Help in the Choice of Automated or Semiautomated Immunoassays for Serological Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis: Evaluation of Nine Immunoassays by the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 3034-3042 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Villard ◽  
B. Cimon ◽  
C. L'Ollivier ◽  
H. Fricker-Hidalgo ◽  
N. Godineau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Routine Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
National Reference Center ◽  
Serology Testing

Toxoplasmosis, a benign infection, is asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic in over 80% of cases, except in immunocompetent patients suffering from ocular toxoplasmosis or in immunocompromised patients with opportunistic or congenital toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis is based mainly on serology testing. Thus, we compared the performance of the nine most commonly used commercial automated or semiautomated immunoassays for IgG and IgMToxoplasma gondiiantibody detection, that is, the Advia Centaur, Architect, AxSYM, Elecsys, Enzygnost, Liaison, Platelia, VIDAS, and VIDIA assays. The assays were conducted on four panels of serum samples derived during routine testing from patients with an interfering disease and who exhibited a low IgG antibody level in one of two clinical settings, namely, acute or chronic toxoplasmosis. As a result, IgG sensitivities ranged from 97.1% to 100%, and IgG specificities ranged from 99.5% to 100%. For IgG quantification, strong differences in IgG titers (expressed in IU/ml) were noted depending on the assay used. IgM sensitivities ranged from 65% to 97.9%, and IgM specificities ranged from 92.6% to 100%. For defining the best serological strategies to be implemented, it appears crucial to compare the diagnostic performance of the different tests with respect to their specificity and sensitivity in detecting the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies.

scholarly journals Fecal Microbiotas of Indonesian and New Zealand Children Differ in Complexity and Bifidobacterial Taxa during the First Year of Life

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair Lawley ◽  
Anna Otal ◽  
Kit Moloney-Geany ◽  
Aly Diana ◽  
Lisa Houghton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
First Year ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Year Of Life

ABSTRACT The biological succession that occurs during the first year of life in the gut of infants in Western countries is broadly predictable in terms of the increasing complexity of the composition of microbiotas. Less information is available about microbiotas in Asian countries, where environmental, nutritional, and cultural influences may differentially affect the composition and development of the microbial community. We compared the fecal microbiotas of Indonesian (n = 204) and New Zealand (NZ) (n = 74) infants 6 to 7 months and 12 months of age. Comparisons were made by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and derivation of community diversity metrics, relative abundances of bacterial families, enterotypes, and cooccurrence correlation networks. Abundances of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and B. longum subsp. longum were determined by quantitative PCR. All observations supported the view that the Indonesian and NZ infant microbiotas developed in complexity over time, but the changes were much greater for NZ infants. B. longum subsp. infantis dominated the microbiotas of Indonesian children, whereas B. longum subsp. longum was dominant in NZ children. Network analysis showed that the niche model (in which trophic adaptation results in preferential colonization) of the assemblage of microbiotas was supported in Indonesian infants, whereas the neutral (stochastic) model was supported by the development of the microbiotas of NZ infants. The results of the study show that the development of the fecal microbiota is not the same for infants in all countries, and they point to the necessity of obtaining a better understanding of the factors that control the colonization of the gut in early life. IMPORTANCE This study addresses the microbiology of a natural ecosystem (the infant bowel) for children in a rural setting in Indonesia and in an urban environment in New Zealand. Analysis of DNA sequences generated from the microbial community (microbiota) in the feces of the infants during the first year of life showed marked differences in the composition and complexity of the bacterial collections. The differences were most likely due to differences in the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding of infants in the two countries. These kinds of studies are essential for developing concepts of microbial ecology related to the influence of nutrition and environment on the development of the gut microbiota and for determining the long-term effects of microbiological events in early life on human health and well-being.

Neurogenic intermittent claudication associated with aortic steal from the anterior spinal artery complicating coarctation of the aorta

1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Kendall ◽  
John Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Claudication ◽  
Coarctation Of The Aorta ◽  
Aqueductal Stenosis ◽  
Anterior Spinal Artery ◽  
First Year ◽  
Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collateral Channel ◽  
Collateral Vessels ◽  
First Year Of Life

✓ A boy born with coarctation of the aorta developed postmeningitic hydrocephalus associated with aqueductal stenosis in the first year of life; a ventriculoatrial shunt was performed. When 11 years old, following an operation on the coarctation, he developed neurogenic intermittent claudication superimposed on a preexisting spastic weakness of his legs. Investigations disclosed the intraspinal collateral vessels to be stealing blood through the anterior spinal artery to the aorta below the incompletely relieved coarctation. Revision of the coarctation repair and diversion within the thorax of the main collateral channel from the anterior spinal artery to the distal aorta relieved the intermittent claudication.

Bilateral ocular involvement in congenital toxoplasmosis: A case report and literature review

2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552098638
Author(s):  
Melis Deniz ◽  
Anıl Tapısız ◽  
Hasan Tezer ◽  
Tugba Bedir Demirdag
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Primary Infection ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Ocular Involvement ◽  
Live Births ◽  
First Year Of Life

We report a case of neuro-ophthalmological complications of congenital toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondi. Its congenital form occurs either as a primary infection or as reactivation of the same due to immunosuppression during pregnancy. With an incidence rate of 1.5/1000 live births, this disease is an important cause of visual loss from chorio-retinal lesions in >82%. Recent studies have shown that treatment given in utero and in the first year of life can reduce ophthalmological complications.

scholarly journals Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serodiagnosis of Ringworm Infection in Cattle

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1150-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Tatiana Băguţ ◽  
Ludivine Cambier ◽  
Marie-Pierre Heinen ◽  
Vasile Cozma ◽  
Michel Monod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ringworm Infection

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to develop an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological diagnosis of ringworm infection in cattle. We used available recombinant forms ofTrichophyton rubrumdipeptidyl peptidase V (TruDppV) andT. rubrumleucin aminopeptidase 2 (TruLap2), which are 98% identical toTrichophyton verrucosumorthologues. Field serum samples from 135 cattle with ringworm infection, as confirmed by direct microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and PCR, and from 55 cattle without any apparent skin lesions or history of ringworm infection that served as negative controls were used. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were determined to evaluate the diagnostic value of our ELISA. Overall, the ELISAs based on recombinant TruDppV and TruLap2 discriminated well between infected animals and healthy controls. Highly significant differences (P< 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test) were noted between optical density values obtained when sera from infected versus control cattle were tested. The ELISA developed for the detection of specific antibodies against DppV gave 89.6% sensitivity, 92.7% specificity, a 96.8% positive predictive value, and a 78.4% negative predictive value. The recombinant TruLap2-based ELISA displayed 88.1% sensitivity, 90.9% specificity, a 95.9% positive predictive value, and a 75.7% negative predictive value. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ELISA based on recombinant antigens for assessing immune responses to ringworm infection in cattle; it is particularly suitable for epidemiological studies and also for the evaluation of vaccines and/or vaccination procedures.

scholarly journals The Predictive Value of Head Circumference Growth during the First Year of Life on Early Child Traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Dupont ◽  
Natalie Castellanos-Ryan ◽  
Jean R. Séguin ◽  
Gina Muckle ◽  
Marie-Noëlle Simard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Circumference ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
First Year ◽  
Early Child ◽  
First Year Of Life

scholarly journals A computed tomography scoring system to assess pulmonary disease among premature infants

2010 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 328-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Cristina Bastos Boechat ◽  
Rosane Reis de Mello ◽  
Kátia Silveira da Silva ◽  
Pedro Daltro ◽  
Edson Marchiori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Pulmonary Involvement ◽  
Respiratory Morbidity ◽  
First Year ◽  
High Resolution Computed Tomography ◽  
First Year Of Life

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is considered to be the best method for detailed pulmonary evaluation. The aim here was to describe a scoring system based on abnormalities identified on HRCT among premature infants, and measure the predictive validity of the score in relation to respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. METHODS: Scoring system based on HRCT abnormalities among premature newborns. The affected lung area was quantified according to the number of compromised lobes, in addition to bilateral pulmonary involvement. Two radiologists applied the score to 86 HRCT scans. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were analyzed. The score properties were calculated in relation to predictions of respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. RESULTS: Most of the patients (85%) presented abnormalities on HRCT, and among these, 56.2% presented respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. Scores ranged from zero to 12. There was good agreement between observers (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.86, confidence interval, CI: 0.64-0.83). The predictive scores were as follows: positive predictive value 81.8%, negative predictive value 56.3%, sensitivity 39.1%, and specificity 90.0%. CONCLUSION: The scoring system is reproducible, easy to apply and allows HRCT comparisons among premature infants, by identifying patients with greater likelihood of respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. Its use will enable HRCT comparisons among premature infants with different risk factors for respiratory morbidity.

scholarly journals The Fetal Antibiotic EXposure (FAX) Study: Research on the Effect of in-utero antibiotic exposure on childhood outcomes (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Koebnick ◽  
Sara Y. Tartof ◽  
Margo A. Sidell ◽  
Emily Rozema ◽  
Joanie J Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Utero ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
First Year ◽  
In Utero Exposure ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND The widespread use of antepartum and intrapartum antibiotics has raised concerns about the possible disruption of the child's gut microbiota, and effects on the ‘maturation’ from the infant to the adult microbiome. The Fetal Antibiotic EXposure (FAX) Study provides a cohort to examine the association between in-utero exposure to antibiotics and adverse childhood outcomes including body weight, atopic diseases, and autism spectrum disorders and to investigate the role of other potential factors mitigating or moderating the risk for adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE To describe the methods, cohort characteristics, and retention of infants included in the study cohort. METHODS For this retrospective cohort study, we included children born in KPSC hospitals between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2015 within 22-44 weeks of gestation with KPSC insurance coverage during the first year of life. Follow-up data collection is through electronic medical record (EMR) data from Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC). RESULTS The study cohort was comprised of 223,431 children of which 65.7% were exposed to antibiotics in-utero; 19.0% were exposed during the antepartum period, 30.0% during the intrapartum period, and 16.7% exposed during both the antepartum and intrapartum periods. During their first year of life, children had a median of 5 BMI measurements; the frequency of BMI measurements declined to a median of 3 in their second year of life and 2 for 3-5 years of age. The 5-year retention of children in the health plan was over 80% with the highest retention for Hispanic children. CONCLUSIONS This cohort of children will provide a unique opportunity to address key questions regarding the long-term sequelae of in-utero exposure to antibiotics using real-world data. The high retention and multiple medical visits over time allow us to model the trajectories of BMI over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document