Prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with biologically false-positive reactions with serological syphilis testing in contemporary practice: 10-year experience at a tertiary academic hospital

2020 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054628
Author(s):  
Yuri Ishihara ◽  
Koh Okamoto ◽  
Hironori Shimosaka ◽  
Yoshikazu Ono ◽  
Yoshiaki Kanno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Positive ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
History Of ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Contemporary Practice

ObjectivesBiologically false positive (BFP) reactions are well described in early literature. However, only a few recent reports described the incidence and clinical characteristics of patients with BFP reactions. We reviewed the serological test results of patients tested for syphilis in our hospital in the past decade and described the clinical characteristics of patients with BFP reactions.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of patients tested for syphilis in a tertiary academic hospital. All serological results were retrieved from the clinical laboratory database. We calculated the incidence of BFP reactions. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data of patients with BFP reactions were reviewed manually.ResultsAmong 94 462 subjects, 588 patients had BFP reactions (0.62%). Most BFP reactions were observed in patients aged over 60 years, with a history of malignancy and autoimmune diseases. Eighty-five per cent of patients had low rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre (≤1:4), but two patients had extremely high RPR titre (≥1:256). BFP reactions were more likely to persist beyond 6 months among patients with RPR titre of ≥1:8. There was no statistically significant correlation between RPR titre and total protein albumin gap, surrogate of immunoglobulin levels among patients with BFP reactions.ConclusionThere was a low incidence of BFP reactions in the last decade. A minority of BFP reactions had high non-treponemal antibody titre and persisted longer than 6 months. In the era of re-emergence of syphilis, this information could help clinicians interpret the results of well-established diagnostic tests for syphilis.

scholarly journals Case Report: Two Cases of Subacute Thyroiditis Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Bornemann ◽  
Katharina Woyk ◽  
Caroline Bouter
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Subacute Thyroiditis ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Thyroid Disorders ◽  
Thyroid Disorder ◽  
Lateral Neck ◽  
Test Results ◽  
History Of

Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disorder associated with viral infections. Rare cases of subacute thyroiditis have also been described following vaccination. Recently, a few cases of subacute thyroiditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have also been reported. Here, we present two cases of cytological proven subacute thyroiditis after receiving the first dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We describe clinical, laboratory, imaging and cytological findings in two cases of subacute thyroiditis that presented in our department 2 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with Spikevax (Moderna Biotech, Spain) and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca; Sweden). Both cases did not have a previous history of thyroid disorders and presented with anterior and lateral neck pain. Clinical test results as well as cytological findings were consistent with subacute thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis may develop following a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and should be considered as a possible side effect in cases that present with thyroid pain.

scholarly journals Primary splenic hydatidosis: a case report

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006051984550
Author(s):  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Ming-quan Pang ◽  
Ying-li Kang ◽  
Zhi-xin Wang ◽  
Dongzhi Cairang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Laparoscopic Splenectomy ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Chronic Atrophic Gastritis ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Imaging Findings ◽  
Pastoral Area ◽  
History Of

We herein report a case of primary splenic hydatidosis to provide data regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological statistics of this disease. The patient was from a pastoral area and was diagnosed with primary splenic hydatidosis with chronic atrophic gastritis. The patient had no history of surgical treatment of hydatidosis. The diagnosis was mainly based on possible exposure to endemic areas, imaging findings, serological test results, and operative and pathological examination findings. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed, and regular albendazole therapy was given after the operation. The patient was admitted to the hospital for gastrointestinal bleeding 3 months postoperatively, and she was successfully treated and discharged. No recurrence of hydatid foci has been observed since the follow-up.

Laboratory Medicine and Diagnostic Testing

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-197
Author(s):  
Noubar Kessimian
Keyword(s):  
Medical Practice ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Vital Component ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

The clinical laboratory is a vital component of modern podiatric medical practice. In order to interpret laboratory data correctly, the practitioner must understand the essentials of diagnostic testing. These essentials include precision, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence-based values of a given test. In addition, the podiatric physician should be aware of the limitations, variations, and interferences that can spuriously alter test results. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(2): 194-197, 2004)

scholarly journals Association of Underlying Diseases and Clinical Characteristics with Mortality in Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadhossein Zamanian ◽  
Zohre Foroozanfar ◽  
Zhila Izadi ◽  
Samira Jafari ◽  
Hossein Derakhshankhah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
History Of ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Underlying Diseases ◽  
Pcr Test

Objectives: The first case of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported in Iran in February 2020. Here, we report the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and factors associated with mortality in these patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from February 22, 2020, to March 24, 2020, in Golestan Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. Demographic data including underlying diseases and clinical data including the presenting symptoms, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, and outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. Simple and multiple logistic regression methods were used to explore the factors associated with mortality. Results: Of 245 patients admitted with COVID-19, 155 (63.30%) were male. The mean age of the subjects was 54.68 ± 19.21. Forty-five (18.48%) patients had underlying diseases. Common symptoms were dyspnea (n = 137; 55.9%), cough (n = 93; 38.0%), and fever (n = 78; 31.8%). All patients had pneumonia with abnormal findings on chest CT scan (100%), and RT-PCR test results were positive in 87 (35.50%) patients. Of the total admitted cases, 38 (15.5%) patients died during hospitalization. An old age (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06), history of heart disease (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.46 to 17.58), hypertension (OR = 5.82; 95% CI: 1.13 to 30.04), smoking (OR = 11.44; 95% CI: 1.01 to 29.53), history of at least one underlying disease (OR = 3.31; 95%CI: 1.54 to 7.09), and symptoms of decreased consciousness at the time of admission (OR = 24.23; 95% CI: 2.62 to 223.39) were associated with mortality. Also, the symptoms of cough (OR = 0.383; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.88) and fever (OR = 0.278; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.74) had a negative association with mortality. Conclusions: In the current study, factors including old age, smoking, symptoms of decreased consciousness, and underlying diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and history of at least one underlying disease were associated with mortality. Factors associated with mortality should be considered so that we can better manage patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics, Dynamic Profile of Radiology and Laboratory Findings in Coronavirus Disease 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ailing liu ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Wei Qiao ◽  
Wei Zang ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Oxygenation Index ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B ◽  
Dynamic Profile

Abstract Background Since December 2019, when coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) emerged in Wuhan city and rapidly spread throughout China, more and more data from different area and different stages of disease have been needed.Methods In this retrospective, single-centre study, we included all 38 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Weihai from Jan 24 to Feb 24, 2020. Patients were divided into group A by normal Oxygenation Index (OI), group B by abnormal OI (less than 400 mmHg).The dynamic changes in clinical laboratory parameters were tracked from day 1 to day 32 after the onset of the disease at 4-day intervals. Cases were analyzed for clinical, radiological features and laboratory data. Outcomes were followed up until Feb 24, 2020.Results 38 patients with Covid-19 were included in this study, 68.42% patients were family clustered, and 97.37% patients had a history of exposure. The mean days between exposure and onset were about 5 days. Most patients were men, mean age was 43 years, 52.6% patients had chronic diseases. Most patients had fever or cough, about a third of patients had expectoration or fatigue, and 5 (13.16%) patients had shortness of breath.

scholarly journals The differences of clinical characteristics and outcomes between imported and local patients of COVID-19 in Hunan: A two-center retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Wang ◽  
Lizhi Zhou ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
Yong Yang ◽  
Tianlong Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Gamma Globulin ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Local Resident ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Severe Type

Abstract Background: The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia are different in Hubei compared to other regions in China. But there are few comparative studies on the differences between imported and local patients which may provide information of the different courses of the virus after transmission. Methods: We investigated 169 cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in two centers in Hunan Province, and divided them into two groups according to epidemiological history, "imported patients" refers to patient with a clear history of travel in Wuhan within 14 days before onset, and " local patients” refers to local resident without a recent history of travel in Wuhan, aiming to analyze the difference in clinical characteristics and outcomes between the two groups. All the epidemiological, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data were analyzed and contrasted. Results: The incidence of fever on admission in imported patients was significantly higher than local patients. There was a significantly higher proportion of abnormal pulmonary signs, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, prolonged PT, elevated D-dimer and elevated blood glucose in imported patients. Compared with local patients, the proportion using antibiotics, glucocorticoids and gamma globulin were significantly higher in imported patients. The moderate type was more common in local patients, and the severe type were more frequent in imported patients. In addition, the median duration of viral clearance was longer in imported patients. Conclusions: In summary, we found that imported cases were more likely to develop into severe cases, compared with local patients and required more powerful treatments.Trial registration: Registered 21st March 2020, and this study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee (Approved Number. 2020017).

scholarly journals Evaluation of Cycle Threshold, Toxin Concentration, and Clinical Characteristics of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients with Discordant Diagnostic Test Results

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan D. Shah ◽  
Joan-Miquel Balada-Llasat ◽  
Kelci Coe ◽  
Erica Reed ◽  
Johanna Sandlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Toxin Concentration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile Infection

ABSTRACT Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common health care-associated infections that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. CDI diagnosis involves laboratory testing in conjunction with clinical assessment. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of various C. difficile tests and to compare clinical characteristics, Xpert C. difficile/Epi (PCR) cycle threshold (CT), and Singulex Clarity C. diff toxins A/B (Clarity) concentrations between groups with discordant test results. Unformed stool specimens from 200 hospitalized adults (100 PCR positive and 100 negative) were tested by cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA), C. diff Quik Chek Complete (Quik Chek), Premier Toxins A and B, and Clarity. Clinical data, including CDI severity and CDI risk factors, were compared between discordant test results. Compared to CCNA, PCR had the highest sensitivity at 100% and Quik Chek had the highest specificity at 100%. Among clinical and laboratory data studied, prevalences of leukocytosis, prior antibiotic use, and hospitalizations were consistently higher across all subgroups in comparisons of toxin-positive to toxin-negative patients. Among PCR-positive samples, the median CT was lower in toxin-positive samples than in toxin-negative samples; however, CT ranges overlapped. Among Clarity-positive samples, the quantitative toxin concentration was significantly higher in toxin-positive samples than in toxin-negative samples as determined by CCNA and Quik Chek Toxin A and B. Laboratory tests for CDI vary in sensitivity and specificity. The quantitative toxin concentration may offer value in guiding CDI diagnosis and treatment. The presence of leukocytosis, prior antibiotic use, and previous hospitalizations may assist with CDI diagnosis, while other clinical parameters may not be consistently reliable.

Differential diagnosis of thyroid diseases by the x-ray fluorescent method

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-42
Author(s):  
I. О. Tomashevsky
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Thyroiditis ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Commercial Sample ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Thyroid Adenomas ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of

Intrathyroid stable iodine (ISI) was measured in 249 women aged 36 to 55 living in Moscow. 179 of these suffered from thyroid tumors and autoimmune thyroiditis and 70 without history of thyroid diseases with normal thyroid status confirmed by clinical laboratory data and ISI values of at least 200 pg/g, considered as the critical, were controls. ISI concentrations were measured using a Russian commercial sample for noninvasive x-ray fluorescent analysis. Using the same device, ISI was measured in thyroid samples with cancer and benign tumors, embedded in paraffin blocks, sent from the USA (n - 47) and Russia (n = 126); in addition, these samples were examined histologically. ISI concentrations were lower in cancer, thyroid adenomas, and autoimmune thyroiditis than in control. An ISI concentration lower than 200 pg/g indicates autoimmune thyroiditis with a probability of 96%. Use of L- thyroxin test increases the probability of the disease recognition to 98%.

scholarly journals Graphical display of diagnostic test results in electronic health Records: a comparison of 8 systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 900-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean F Sittig ◽  
Daniel R Murphy ◽  
Michael W Smith ◽  
Elise Russo ◽  
Adam Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Electronic Health

Abstract Accurate display and interpretation of clinical laboratory test results is essential for safe and effective diagnosis and treatment. In an attempt to ascertain how well current electronic health records (EHRs) facilitated these processes, we evaluated the graphical displays of laboratory test results in eight EHRs using objective criteria for optimal graphs based on literature and expert opinion. None of the EHRs met all 11 criteria; the magnitude of deficiency ranged from one EHR meeting 10 of 11 criteria to three EHRs meeting only 5 of 11 criteria. One criterion (i.e., the EHR has a graph with y-axis labels that display both the name of the measured variable and the units of measure) was absent from all EHRs. One EHR system graphed results in reverse chronological order. One EHR system plotted data collected at unequally-spaced points in time using equally-spaced data points, which had the effect of erroneously depicting the visual slope perception between data points. This deficiency could have a significant, negative impact on patient safety. Only two EHR systems allowed users to see, hover-over, or click on a data point to see the precise values of the x–y coordinates. Our study suggests that many current EHR-generated graphs do not meet evidence-based criteria aimed at improving laboratory data comprehension.

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